Tuesday, September 30, 2014

September Blog Post







Welcome to my September blog post.




Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to meet with my mentor besides the 1st interview and I probably won't be able to meet with him till next week.

I still find the topic of prosthetics intriguing and the more research I complete the more intrigued I have become. Looking at all the new information that I've come upon, I have come to the conclusion that I will spending a lot of time with my mentor as the subject becomes more and more complicated. The procedures used to create the prostheses are, at the moment, lengthy and the time it takes to create the final prosthesis changes depending on when more research and new technologies become available.

An example of these new technologies would be the Outlast liner. Originally developed by NASA, Outlast is a special material that whisks away sweat and keeps the wearer cool and comfortable. Such material is great in a prosthesis liner because if there is too much sweat buildup in the socket it can start to create blisters on the residual limb making it uncomfortable for the wearer. Think of it as brand new shoes you wear for an hour and both of your heels end up with blisters. Essentially the same idea just with a larger surface area to be affected.






Here is what an Outlast liner (and most other liners) look like.


Sorry that I am unable to amaze you with fabulous stories about patients I saw or a new catalog book that just arrived. Still fixing up my work/mentor ship schedule and I should have much more to write about in the October blog post.

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.
  For my 30 hours I plan on doing extra mentor ship since there really isn't any other places or events I could go to or attend in order to fulfill these hours.
2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.
I will continue on with my mentor in my learning about prosthetics and documenting all the hours on my mentor ship Google doc.
3.  Explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.
As the topic of prosthetics is a complicated subject with many variables involved the more hours I can get with my mentor the better. I will shadow him and present my problems and questions in order to learn more about the subject. I am hoping that he will teach me how to manipulate the positive plaster mold with shaving tools and things of the like.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Blog 6 - Second Interview Preparation

1.  Who is your mentor and where do they work?
  •  My mentor is Ken Smith and he is employed at Ortho Engineering Inc.
2.  What five questions will you ask them about their background?
  • Where did you get your BS?
  • What was the driving force behind you wanting to be an O & P Technician?
  • Was the schooling that was required difficult?
  • Did you ever have a feeling of discouragement from any of your classes?
  • Did anything make you second guess your major?