The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC) announces that the Registered Technician credentialing program is in the process of undergoing changes reflective of the alterations this position has experienced in the profession. Effective immediately, all ABC Registered Orthotic and Prosthetic Technicians will be granted the certified designation for their credential. All future candidates for this program will receive the Certified Orthotic and/or Prosthetic Technician designation.
The ABC board of directors and members of the Technician Exam Team have been evaluating the Registered Technician program in light of the changing face of the orthotic and prosthetic profession. With the shift in many clinical settings away from the practitioner being intimately involved in fabrication to a model where much of that work is accomplished by an in-house technician or by a central fabrication facility, ABC felt that it was the right time to address the changing responsibilities and skills of this vital member of the clinical team.
There will be additional changes to this program and the chairman of the Technician Exam Team Jonathan D. Day, CPO says, “this is an exciting time for us as we prepare to examine every aspect of the technician credentialing program and make the necessary changes to reflect today’s practice environment.”
The Registered Assistant designation is also changing to Certified Assistant effective immediately. Watch for more details on the technician and assistant credentialing programs at the ABC website, www.abcop.org.