Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:04 PM AWST
22/07/2026 6:04 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Fabricate spinal, upper and lower extremity orthoses
Fabricate spinal, upper and lower extremity orthoses
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTPO304D
HLTPO304D
State Code
WD265
WD265
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/08/2014
Field of Education
061799 - Rehabilitation Therapies, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
05/08/2014
Nominal Hours
150
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required to fabricate and finish spinal, upper and lower extremity orthoses
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Ascertain requirements for spinal, upper and lower extremity orthoses
- 1.1 Review prescriptions or instructions from appropriate health professionals to confirm all required information has been provided
- 1.2 Participate in taking client measurements and design of orthoses as directed, and in accordance with organisation policy and procedure
- 1.3 Use effective communication skills to ensure information collected is accurate
2. Fabricate and trial fit spinal, lower and upper extremity orthoses
- 2.1 Assemble materials and equipment
- 2.2 Fill and modify cast or prepare tracing for manufacture as required in accordance with client requirements
- 2.3 Fabricate orthoses using appropriate materials and techniques
- 2.4 Fabricate lower and upper orthoses using appropriate techniques, materials and equipment
- 2.5 Trial fit orthoses in accordance with organisation policy and modify prior to final fit
- 2.6 Clean and store equipment in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and organisation policy and procedures
3. Finish spinal, lower and upper extremity orthoses
- 3.1 Finish orthoses using appropriate materials and techniques
- 3.2 Align and assemble components correctly
- 3.3 Fit orthoses to client in accordance with organisation policy, and modify as required to ensure client satisfaction with product
- 3.4 Establish, complete and store job records in accordance with organisation policy and procedures
- 3.5 Repair and modify spinal, lower and upper extremity orthoses as required
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Spinal, upper and lower extremity orthoses includes:
Cervical, thoraco-lumbar-sacral, lumbar sacral flexion-extension control
Spinal/shoulder and arm brace
Orthoses for a brachial plexus lesion
Arm/elbow braces
Wrist braces
Static and dynamic wrist-hand braces
Finger braces
Foot (inner sole)
Ankle-foot
Knee
Knee/ankle/foot
Hip
Prescriptions or instructions may include:
Referral from clinician i.e. type of prothesis required
Client clinical history
Client specifications and assessments
Work specifications and patterns
Design/construction drawings/sketches
Appropriate health professionals may include:
Prosthetist orthotist
Orthotist
Specialist or general medical practitioner
A physiotherapist or other allied health professional
Design may include:
Selection of materials: thermoplastic foam, high temperature thermoplastic, cork, metal, soft collars, textiles (leather, cotton, synthetic), copper, steels, titanium, aluminium, graphite, polypropylene, plastics, polymeric materials, composites, etc.
Criteria used for spinal orthoses: cervical spine, thoracic-lumbar spine, lumbar-sacral spine
Component selection i.e.: modular, commercially manufactured orthoses, corsets, postings, arch support, ankle stirrups and joints, knee joints, hip joints, uprights, shoulder girdles and joints, elbow joints, wrist joints, hand and finger controls, control mechanisms, pins, pegs, dowels, straps, body jackets, cervical rings, girdles, etc.
Type of construction with emphasis on: suspension, motion control, components/materials, alignment methods, practical considerations, finishing
Assessment of materials for proposed use, durability, function, manufacturing processes, adjustability, maintenance, safe handling procedures
Cosmetic and hygiene considerations
Indications for use of specific materials
Organisation policy and procedures may relate to:
Role and supervision of the Prosthetic Orthotic Technician in relation to client contact, design and fitting of orthoses
Safe use of equipment
Client records
Job records
Work health and safety (WHS)
Client confidentiality and privacy
Quality assurance
Effective communication may include:
Language may be English, sign language or community language depending on client group
Listening, asking open questions, providing encouragement, displaying empathy
Equipment may include:
General hand and portable power tools
Machinery - router, flat bed sewing machine, patcher, infra red heat lamps, pneumatic tools, vacuum pump, oven, lathe, drilling machine, milling machine, cut-off machines, grinders, etc
Vacuum formers
Pressure formers
Welding equipment
Soldering equipment
Marking out tools
Measuring tools and equipment
Spinal, upper and lower extremity orthoses includes:
Cervical, thoraco-lumbar-sacral, lumbar sacral flexion-extension control
Spinal/shoulder and arm brace
Orthoses for a brachial plexus lesion
Arm/elbow braces
Wrist braces
Static and dynamic wrist-hand braces
Finger braces
Foot (inner sole)
Ankle-foot
Knee
Knee/ankle/foot
Hip
Prescriptions or instructions may include:
Referral from clinician i.e. type of prothesis required
Client clinical history
Client specifications and assessments
Work specifications and patterns
Design/construction drawings/sketches
Appropriate health professionals may include:
Prosthetist orthotist
Orthotist
Specialist or general medical practitioner
A physiotherapist or other allied health professional
Design may include:
Selection of materials: thermoplastic foam, high temperature thermoplastic, cork, metal, soft collars, textiles (leather, cotton, synthetic), copper, steels, titanium, aluminium, graphite, polypropylene, plastics, polymeric materials, composites, etc.
Criteria used for spinal orthoses: cervical spine, thoracic-lumbar spine, lumbar-sacral spine
Component selection i.e.: modular, commercially manufactured orthoses, corsets, postings, arch support, ankle stirrups and joints, knee joints, hip joints, uprights, shoulder girdles and joints, elbow joints, wrist joints, hand and finger controls, control mechanisms, pins, pegs, dowels, straps, body jackets, cervical rings, girdles, etc.
Type of construction with emphasis on: suspension, motion control, components/materials, alignment methods, practical considerations, finishing
Assessment of materials for proposed use, durability, function, manufacturing processes, adjustability, maintenance, safe handling procedures
Cosmetic and hygiene considerations
Indications for use of specific materials
Organisation policy and procedures may relate to:
Role and supervision of the Prosthetic Orthotic Technician in relation to client contact, design and fitting of orthoses
Safe use of equipment
Client records
Job records
Work health and safety (WHS)
Client confidentiality and privacy
Quality assurance
Effective communication may include:
Language may be English, sign language or community language depending on client group
Listening, asking open questions, providing encouragement, displaying empathy
Equipment may include:
General hand and portable power tools
Machinery - router, flat bed sewing machine, patcher, infra red heat lamps, pneumatic tools, vacuum pump, oven, lathe, drilling machine, milling machine, cut-off machines, grinders, etc
Vacuum formers
Pressure formers
Welding equipment
Soldering equipment
Marking out tools
Measuring tools and equipment
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Access to an appropriate workplace or simulated work environment where assessment can take place
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Materials and equipment normally found in the workplace to enable the design and fabrication of orthoses
Method of assessment may include:
Observation of work activities
Observation of simulation
Written tasks
Relevant formal and informal education/training courses
Case studies and scenarios
Interviews/questioning
Role plays
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit can be assessed independently
However holistic assessment practice with other health technician units of competency is encouraged
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Observation of workplace performance is essential for assessment of this unit
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
Assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible
Access to an appropriate workplace or simulated work environment where assessment can take place
Relevant organisation policy, guidelines, procedures and protocols
Materials and equipment normally found in the workplace to enable the design and fabrication of orthoses
Method of assessment may include:
Observation of work activities
Observation of simulation
Written tasks
Relevant formal and informal education/training courses
Case studies and scenarios
Interviews/questioning
Role plays
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Related units:
This unit can be assessed independently
However holistic assessment practice with other health technician units of competency is encouraged
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8432 | HLTPO304C | Fabricate spinal, upper and lower extremity orthoses | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J061 | HLT32112 | Certificate III in Prosthetic-Orthotic Technology | Qualification |