Ian Reynolds pushes screws into the sides of an artificial foot, surrounded by the sounds of a band saw ripping through the bottom of a Nike shoe and a wrench falling on the floor.Reynolds is one of the 32 students enrolled in SFCC’s Orthotics and Prosthetics technician program.
Reynolds, who started the program this quarter, says his interest in the program began during the rehabilitation he received after having surgery to remove his leg due to sciatic nerve damage. This damage was a result of an explosion caused by a homemade bomb at his home three years ago.
“What got me hooked was working with my prosthesis,” Reynolds said. “I then got in with the program and the instructors. The accident shaped my whole life and future.”
Bernard Hewey, the orthotics instructor, says the program is divided into two halves. The prosthetics portion teaches students to make artificial limbs using materials such as carbon fibers, fabrics and metal. The orthotics section trains students to make braces for patients who still have their limbs but need the devices to help their limbs function.
According to Hewey, the program is self paced and it takes three quarters to complete both halves of the program.
“The students have 28 contact hours every week except for when they have General Ed. classes,” Hewey said. “There are first, second, and third quarter students of different ages working at the same time.”
Clayton Wright, the prosthetics instructor, said the program began in 1984 with Dr. Walt Caleson.
“Walt had built a private practice in San Diego,” Wright said. “He was asked by the college to start the program.”
Hewey adds that the college looked at the structure of the Prosthetics and Orthotics program at Century College in Minn. the only college to offer this program at the time.
“The curriculum was brought from Minnesota which included text books, audio, and visual aids,” Hewey said. “We also procured a lot of funding to provide the lab with state of the art equipment.”
In addition to learning to make artificial devices, students also learn about the body. Harold Mayers, a third-quarter student, says his first two quarters were partialy focused on anatomy.
“We learned about limbs and muscle,” Mayers said.
Hewey explains that once a student finishes the first half the program, they must complete a five week internship at a private hospital.
“Once the internship is done, they return and finish the other half of the program,” Hewey said. “Then they go on to do another five week internship.”
Jeff Kemp, a former engineering major, recently finished an internship in at a hospital in Portland making limbs and interacting with patients.
“I learned a lot with working with patients and going out into the community,” Kemp said.
The program’s students have recently participated in the national registration exam for technicians that is held at SFCC every fall. According to Hewey, all 32 students participated in the exam. They also received career advice and information from doctors.
“Jobs are open in small and medium companies, private clinics, and VA hospitals,” Hewey said.
According to opcareers.org, a National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) resident with an average of one-year experience makes $33,732 a year.
Reynolds says that the program is everything that he expected and he is looking forward to finishing the program.
“I’m excited to graduate and work with prosthetics and the patients,” Reynolds said.
*photo by Carson Heath
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