Prosthetics and Orthotics Technicians Association Inc

POTA

Prosthetics and Orthotics
Technicians Association Inc

POTA is a registered not-for-profit association (IA60156).

Membership

  • The key members of POTA are practicing graduates with qualifications based on Plastic Fabrication and Polymer Technology, and applied practical orthotics and prosthetics experience.
  • Non-voting members of POTA can be delegates of related industry corporations, practicing clinicians of related health professional work, and apprenticeship students.

Objects of POTA

To promote the formal recognition of qualified Prosthetics and Orthotics (P&O) Technicians, and to maintain their compliance with TGA regulations with professional skills development.

P&O Technician qualification proposal for Queensland Apprenticeships

The PARTEC Institute and POTA are proposing a P&O Technician qualification for Queensland Apprenticeships:

  • A Brisbane-based business, long-established in the profession, employed Plastic Fabricator Apprentices who graduated from PARTEC Institute with industry experience. This apprenticeship was arranged to promote an application of plastics fabrication for orthotic and prosthetic manufacturing and servicing and became the genesis of a new occupation.
  • A new Industry Association, Prosthetics and Orthotics Technicians Association (POTA) was formed to oversee the training for this occupation.
  • Nowadays the PMB30121 (Certificate III in polymer processing) and the PMB40121 (Certificate IV in polymer technology) are recognised as being the qualifications for the OSCA 399936  Plastics Technician, and with additional skill applications is effectively covering the P&O Technician occupation at OSCA skill level 3.
  • The PMB40121 is recognised by the Queensland government as an apprenticeship and PARTEC graduates specialising in P&O with 4 years in the industry can be awarded “Prosthetics and Orthotics Technician – Advanced Trade Qualified” on graduation, having had 4 years with a Skill Level 1 or 2 mentor or employer, and 4 years and 1200 hours of training by PARTEC Institute P&O Apprenticeship. This should be commensurate with OSCA skill Level 2 formal Diploma Qualification.
  • The “Occupation Standard Classifications for Australia” (OSCA) in the 2024 Version 1.0 released 6/12/2024 applies a “skill Level” to the “occupation”. Skill Level 2 defines a Diploma, and “at least 3 years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification”.
  • It is feasible that Brisbane should become the Australian Centre for Prosthetics & Orthotics Technician training, at the PARTEC Institute.