Interested in the Orthotics and Prosthetics program at St. Petersburg College? The April 20 Orthotics and Prosthetics Information Session is for you.

The Health Education Center will host an information session spotlighting the Orthotics and Prosthetics Technology AS program, starting at 4:30 p.m.

You will have a chance to take an inside look at our state-of-the-art lab where our students will be working, as well as meet with faculty members. Attendees also will have a chance to speak with career and academic advisors about program specifics and the admissions process.

Since 2005, SPC has been a national leader in developing and providing Orthotics and Prosthetics Technology training through its $11-million J.E. Hanger College of Orthotics and Prosthetics. This is the first and only associate degree for orthotic and prosthetic technicians in Florida

Continuing Education Units

In addition, this info session highlights brand new O&P online continuing education units or CEUs! A representative from the Workforce Institute will be available to discuss how these CEUs and the others offered through SPC can advance your career, whether you are already in the healthcare field or looking to launch it.

These O&P courses will be FREE using code – FREE41 – until June 30! 

The Workforce Institute provides training for:

• Business and technology consulting
• Custom employee development
• Prepare for industry certifications

Register for the Orthotics and Prosthetics Information Session

Bring your questions and join us at this event to learn about how these programs can benefit you!

• Thursday April 20th @ HEC, Room #177, from 4:30 – 6 p.m.
• 7200 66^th St. N. Pinellas Park, FL 33781
• Please register at the provided link:  http://web.spcollege.edu/survey/22590
• Jimmy John’s sandwiches will be provided by HEC’s Student Government Association (first come, first served)

Want to quickly launch your career in orthotics and prosthetics? Earning an orthotics and prosthetics certificate at St. Petersburg College is the best way to get started in this exciting and rewarding career field.

SPC offers three certificate courses in orthotics and prosthetics:

• Orthotic Fitter (CFO)
• Mastectomy Fitter (CFM)
• Pedorthics (C. Ped)

These courses are a great way to quickly start an O&P career or are a great addition to the Orthotics & Prosthetics Technology A.S. degree, making you more marketable once you graduate and search for jobs.

These courses are offered to you, thanks to the HOPE Careers Consortium Grant, at a reduced rate. Sign up now before prices increase April 1, 2017!

Course requirements

All three courses require you to complete 40 hours of online content prior to showing up for your time in the lab. This content will provide you with some great background information about the scope of practice and health concerns of patients you might see.

Students must show their certificate of completion for the online content in order to show up for the lab day(s). Lab time for the different certifications are:

• Mastectomy fitter = one 8-hour lab day
• Orthotic fitter = two 8-hour lab days
• Pedorthics = ten 8-hour lab days

Experience hours

In order to sit for the exam and receive the nationally recognized certification, all students must complete experience hours following their lab education. These hours will range from 250-1,000 hours based on the certificate you choose. However, if you already hold a nationally recognized certification in an allied health field (RN, LPN, PTA, OTA, etc.) your experience hours for mastectomy fitter and orthotic fitter can be cut in half!

See the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics website for more information.

Get more information

For more information on SPC’s O&P certificates and how to register, head to our website.

Apply for the A.S. degree program

Don’t forget: the application period for O&P Technology A.S. degree opens Jan. 9, 2017!

Interested in getting into the medical field but don’t know where to start? Want to help improve the lives of many people – from athletes to veterans? A Pedorthist certification might just be for you!

A Pedorthist fabricates, fits, adjusts, and modifies custom shoes and insoles. These professionals work with those affected by plantar fasciitis, partial foot amputations and diabetes, one of the leading causes of foot problems today. Pedorthists can also design insoles for athletes and runners as well.

It is not necessary to be an SPC student or complete an application. Sign up now to reserve your spot! Space is very limited.

• Where: SPC’s Health Education Center, 7200 66^th St. N. Pinellas Park, FL 33781
• When: Dec. 12-21, 2016
• Cost: $699 registration fee
• Register online

Pedorthist course details

This certification course prepares students to take their certification exam through online and lab work.

The course provides students with online knowledge and hands-on lab skills necessary for the preparation for the certification exam, specifically 40-hours of online work and 80-hours of lab time over a 10-day period. Following the completion of the course, students will have knowledge and skills regarding:

• Anatomy and pathology of the foot
• How to fabricate devices
• Patient evaluation
• Patient treatment planning
• Pedorthist practice management

Students who complete the course are required to complete 1,000 hours of experience time under a certified Pedorthist and complete the certification exam. The required hours may be signed off retroactively.

HOPE Careers Consortium

SPC offers this certification through the help of the HOPE Careers Consortium Grant. This will be the only offering of this course available through the grant, and it is at an extremely competitive price.

The HOPE Careers Consortium is a partnership of five institutions of higher education who are building exciting new programs that will provide valuable career education and training in the Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics sector.

The college offers a variety of options for continuing education and certificates in the area of Orthotics and Prosthetics. Learn more online.

St. Petersburg College will host its first annual Breast Health Exhibit Hall and Panel Discussion on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at the Health Education Center in Pinellas Park.

The event is FREE for all attendees and open to the public, as well as all SPC students, faculty and staff. Please register at this link and join us for a night of learning!

Breast Health Event agenda

The Health Education Center lobby will be transformed into an exhibit hall with more than 13 different exhibitors ranging from local non-profits and mastectomy boutiques to cancer support groups. The event, which starts at 4 p.m., aims to inform students, those affected by cancer and the public about how to prevent the disease, how to become a certified mastectomy fitter and how to find local resources for dealing with the “C” word – cancer.

At 5 p.m., all attendees will be directed to the HEC auditorium for a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Eric Carver, HEC’s provost. The panel will include:

• Leona Hamrick, PA – breast cancer survivor and physician’s assistant
• David Bloom, MD, Ph.D. – oncologist at Wellspring Oncology
• Alisa Savoretti – breast cancer survivor and founder of My Hope Chest
• Deborah Curtis, BSN, RN – breast cancer survivor and certified mastectomy fitter
• Julianna Stoll – thyroid cancer survivor and certified yoga instructor

Win a prize

Join us for a chance to win a free mastectomy fitter course with SPC and participate in BayCare’s #InOurHands campaign!

Participating organizations and vendors

Representatives from a variety of organizations and vendors will be taking part in the event. They include:

• A Place for Her
• My Hope Chest
• Annie Appleseed Project
• Kyle Harvey Tattoos
• Wellspring Oncology
• ChefFit Solutions
• Nordstrom Mastectomy Fitting
• BayCare CaPSS
• Florida Department of Health
• Knitted Knockers
• SPC O&P
• HEC Advising
• HEC SGA & SNA

More information

Have questions? For more information, contact Mary Boucher at 727-341-4171 or boucher.mary@spcollege.edu.