Commissioners Information Bulletin 165
Issued: 3 August 2001

Interim Registration for the Traineeship on Orthotic and Prosthetic Technology - Certificate III

At the request of the New South Wales Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Body the Department of Education and Training has agreed to the interim registration of the Orthotic and Prosthetic Technology Traineeship - Certificate III to enable its immediate implementation in NSW.

The new qualification is a NSW TAFE developed curriculum course based on the Prosthetic/Orthotic Laboratory Technical Officer (Victoria) State Competency Statements. It will provide traineeship opportunities for technicians within prosthetic/orthotic laboratories within public or private hospitals, private prosthetic/orthotic practices or teaching institutions. It provides a career path of progression from technician at AQF Certificate III level to technician at AQF level 5 through to qualified orthotist or prosthetist. It is the first qualification at this level for this industry in Australia.

Qualification Structure
This qualification is designed to provide a broad-based education program for trainees to become technicians at AQF Certificate III level who provide technical support to prosthetists/orthotists within prosthetic/orthotic laboratories within public or private hospitals, private prosthetic/orthotic practices or teaching. The course emphasises the acquisition of practical skills in routine laboratory tasks.

The qualification will enable the trainee to:

• develop bench skills which they can apply to orthotics/prosthetics within a team environment
• apply Occupational Health and Safety standards
• gain an understanding of the relationship between the product they produce and the client with the disability

Certificate III in Orthotic and Prosthetic Technology students are required to complete 13 core compulsory units.

See Attachment A for an outline of the course structure.

Competency Standards
No national competency standards exist for prosthetic/orthotic laboratory. However, this course is based on the Prosthetic/Orthotic Laboratory Technical Officer (Victoria) State Competency Statements which were developed by and are recognised by industry as appropriate for the role of the technician working in an orthotics/prosthetics laboratory.

See Attachment B for the units of competence.

Customisation
This course may be customised to meet specific or enterprise needs. This may involve: using applications specific to the enterprise; work practices, terminology and products unique to needs of industry sectors, client groups, or enterprises; assessment tools and using a range of delivery modes.

Nominal Term
Training shall be given for a nominal period of 12 months for a Certificate III outcome. The traineeship can be offered full time, part time or mixed mode.

Resource Implications
Estimated nominal hours off the job training delivery: - 427 hours.

On-the-Job Training
This course is designed to be delivered through a combination of on and off the job training and assessment. The on-the-job and off the job achievements are recorded in the trainee’s logbook.

It is a requirement that the majority of the training will be undertaken in the workplace. Structured workplace activities are essential within this course.

The on-the-job component is supported by work-based activities to allow the learner to apply knowledge and skills developed in the classroom to practical workplace situations as a means of achieving specified units of competence.

Articulation and Credit Transfer
This course articulates with advanced standing into the Diploma of Orthotic and Prosthetic Technology (1893). This provides a career pathway into the undergraduate programs in orthotics/prosthetics.

Implementation
There are existing resources in place for the delivery of the qualification. The curriculum is available on the NSW Department of Education and Training Curriculum Clearinghouse; Certificate III in Orthotics/Prosthetics Technology (NSW1898). The following learning resources and assessment tools are available:

• Training Record Book
• Supervisor/trainee guidelines
• Trainer/trainee assessment guidelines
• Flexible delivery package for self directed learners
• Recognition of prior learning guidelines

NSW TAFE has been approached by the NSW Department of Health to be the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to pilot delivery of the first year of the program. This will enable strategies to be developed to support RTOs in the future.

Industrial Arrangements
Advice received from the NSW Community Services and Health ITAB is that provisions for the employment of trainees in the orthotic and prosthetic industry exist in the following industrial instruments:

• the Public Hospital (Training Wage) (State) Award
• the Private Hospitals’ Aged Care and Disabilities Services Industry (Training) (State) Award

For any enquiries regarding this CIB, please contact the Vocational Training Tribunal Unit on (02) 9266 8579.

PAM CHRISTIE
Commissioner of Vocational Training