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Australian Orthotic and Prosthetic Association

Welcome to AOPA

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Founded in 1975, AOPA is the peak professional body representing orthotists and prosthetists within Australia. AOPA aims to promote the training, education and professional status of orthotists and prosthetists throughout Australia.

Orthotists and prosthetists are allied health professionals who liaise regularly with members of the multidisciplinary health team. The prosthetist/orthotist combines knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pathology and materials with physical skills such as patient assessment, casting, measurement and alignment to provide prosthetic and orthotic treatment, which is specific to each patient managed.

Our Commitment

The Association is committed to provide continuing education of the highest standard. Newsletters, seminars, workshops and publications keep members and industry colleagues up to date on all matters relevant to the profession including the latest clinical and technical research and development. The AOPA Continuing Professional Development Program ensures members are encouraged and rewarded for their continuing education efforts.

Through the Association's work, the profession has gained widespread recognition for professional excellence. Representation to federal and state government, industry stakeholders, employers and the public is made by AOPA on a wide range of issues including qualifications, professional standards and funding matters.

 

What is an Orthotist?

AOPA National Council
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An Orthotist (pron: Ortho-tist) is an allied health professional and clinician who practices in public hospitals or the private sector.

The Orthotist's role is to assess, prescribe, apply and provide education regarding the use and care of an appropriate orthosis that serves the individual's requirements.

An orthosis is the true term for a brace or appliance that is designed and fitted to the body to achieve one or more of the following goals:

  • Control biomechanical alignment
  • Protect and support a healing injury
  • Assist rehabilitation
  • Reduce pain
  • Increase mobility
  • Increase independence

Commonly prescribed orthoses include;

  • Foot Orthoses, for various foot problems
  • Ankle and Knee Orthoses, for joint protection or support after surgery
  • Fracture Orthoses, the modern alternative to plaster or fibreglass casts
  • Spinal Orthoses, providing low back pain relief or helping control spinal deformities and injuries

There are a wide variety of prefabricated and custom made orthoses used for many musculo-skeletal problems. They are specialised devices should always be fitted by a fully qualified Orthotist.

 

What is a Prosthetist?

AOPA National Council
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A Prosthetist / Orthotist is an Allied Health Professional who designs, measures, fabricates and fits Prostheses and Orthoses. The Prosthetist / Orthotist upgrades their knowledge, skills and experience to ensure the best possible Prosthesis or Orthoses is provided for each individual. 

A Prosthetist (pron: Pros-the-tist) is an allied health professional who is clinically responsible for assessing, manufacturing and fitting various types of upper and lower limb prostheses (artificial limbs). Prosthetists also provide education and training regarding the use, care and function of prostheses.

All limb prostheses are precision made appliances that are individually designed to restore the function and look of the lost limb as much as possible. Prosthetists assist clients such as children born with congenital limb deficiency, people who have had an amputation following an accident or the elderly who have lost a limb as a result of vascular disease.

Due to modern advances in prosthetic technology, prosthetists to supply lighter, stronger and more naturally functioning prostheses than ever before. Technological advances include the ‘energy storing foot', the ‘microprocessor controlled knee' and the myo-electric (bionic) hand.

 


Latest News

Newsflash

AOPA Partners with Guild

As an orthotist / prosthetist, a professional liability claim made against you can affect your career, and lifestyle. That’s why it’s essential to protect yourself appropriately against the potential impact of a professional liability claim.

AOPA recognise the importance of members having the right protection and so, have forged a partnership with the Guild Insurance. As part of the agreement, AOPA refers members to Guild for liabilities and business insurances, while Guild works with AOPA to provide specialist insurances that meets members’ needs.

Consider the following benefits of Guild’s insurance cover, which are key factors in why AOPA choose Guild as the referred provider of liabilities and business insurances for members.

·           Experience in servicing allied healthcare professionals.

Guild insures many allied healthcare professions, and are well positioned to identify risks and deliver solutions to orthotists and prosthetists.

Guild provides trusted services to over 40 professional associations and their members, including podiatrists, osteopaths, physiotherapists and rehabilitation providers, amongst others. Through these relationships Guild has developed an understanding of the insurance needs, and common risks, faced by allied healthcare professionals.

·           Commitment to a prompt and fair claims process.

Unlike insurance brokers or intermediaries, Guild is a direct insurer. This means that Guild issues the insurance cover, so if you need help or advice on insurance matters, you will get a straight answer from the company managing your insurance cover. If you need to make a claim, Guild will work directly with you through the whole process, always keeping your best interests in mind. This is one of the reasons why in a recent survey of Guild claimants 98.5% of respondents said they “would recommend Guild to a colleague”. This is an outstanding result when compared to other providers.*

·           A local team of support with a focus on personal service.

Guild’s national network of regional offices mean you’ll be dealing with a local team working within your state. With Guild’s focus on personal service, there is no need to deal with intermediaries, no phone menus, and no interstate/overseas calls.

 

Insurance for Orthotists & Prosthetists

 

Guild offers AOPA members an Orthotists & Prosthetists Liabilities Insurance. Guild’s insurance is referred to as a ‘combined liabilities cover’ as it combines cover for three key liability risks faced by orthotists & prosthetists, within a single convenient policy.

 

·           Professional Indemnity

·           Public Liability

·           Products Liability

Key service features include:

·           24 hour / 7 day emergency call service

A Guild representative is always on hand to answer your call and provide service.

·           Direct access to qualified legal experts

An in-house team of lawyers experienced in defending claims against allied health professionals is able to provide advice on how to handle the situation that arises. Sometimes the advice of an experienced lawyer is all that’s required to prevent a claim from even occurring.

·           Cover for $25,000 in legal costs

Guild’s policy automatically includes $25,000 cover for legal costs and expenses associated with a disciplinary or coronial investigation, hearing or inquiry. Not all policies offer this cover. Disciplinary matters before Boards can be stressful situations, and not the time that you want to find out that you may also be out of pocket for your legal representation costs.

Guild recognises the importance of looking after individuals, their businesses and their broader professions and has built a strong reputation for delivering on this.

To review your insurance needs talk to a Guild representative on 1800 810 213.

 

Guild Insurance Limited AFSL No. 233791. The Guild Group supports AOPA through the payment of referral fees for certain insurance you take out with Guild Insurance Limited.

 

 

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