Certification testing makes sure you understand casting and splinting procedures.
In course of a normal day, an orthopedic technologist works with doctors, patients, bones and joints. Job duties range from putting on and removing casts, splints and braces to counseling patients and, depending on the technologist's expertise, may involve time in the operating room. The technical nature of this work and a common certification requirement by employers make certification a necessity to obtain employment and advance within the field.
The Facts
Two organizations important in orthopedic technologist certification are the National Association of Orthopaedic Technologists (naot.org) and the National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Technologists (nbcot.net). The NAOT sets formal education requirements for both the Orthopaedic Technologist and Orthopaedic Technologist-Surgery Certified certifications, while the NBCOT administers the exams. As of 2011, these organizations are the sole certifying bodies for OTs.
Education Requirements
The educational program you follow on the road to becoming certified OT must adhere to NAOT standards. As a result, choosing a school the NAOT approves and recognizes is crucial. Programs range from one to two years of full-time study, depending on whether you take a certificate or associate's degree program. Core coursework includes instruction in ethics, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, patient assessment and hands-on training in casting, splinting and traction. An associate's of science in orthopedic technology degree program includes additional general education requirements. Qualifying for the OT-SC certification requires completing educational requirements and an additional one year of operating room experience.
Options
Although the NAOT prefers formal education, the organization provides three additional options for meeting the education portion of certification eligibility requirements. The first option is appropriate if you are already working in the field as it allows you to sit for the certification exam if you can document two years of experience under the direct supervision of an orthopedic doctor. The second is appropriate if you get training while serving in the U.S. military. If you submit a military-issued certificate of course completion or a certified DD214 listing your orthopedic technologist training, you will be eligible to register for the exam. The third option is appropriate if you are a certified or licensed athletic trainer working under the direct supervision of a doctor who specializes in the musculoskeletal system. In this case, 1,040 hours or six months of full-time employment will qualify you to take the exam.
The Exam
The three-hour OTC certification exam includes 165 multiple-choice questions, 150 of which count toward your grade and 15 that are research questions and therefore do not count. Also three-hours in length, the OT-SC exam includes 150 questions, all of which count toward your grade. Both exams are available through Iso-Quality Testing centers (isoqualitytesting.com) at select locations in each state. Testing is only available on business days during February, June, August and November of each year. Prior to registering for the exam you must apply for and receive a letter of eligibility from the NBCOT, along with a password that allows you to enter the ISO site and register for your exam. The fee as of 2011 is $375 for either exam.
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