We’re Preparing the Next Generation of Upper-Limb Clinicians

Clinics and university programs across the country share a common goal of giving patients access to advanced upper-limb prosthetic technology and training the next generation of upper-limb clinicians who will support them. 

Many teams want to build confidence with modern bionic systems but need structured, hands-on education to get there. That is why we created the Certified Clinical Partner program, worth two credits for continuing education.

“We offer two continuing education units for our Certified Clinical Partner program,” said Katie Jeter, certified prosthetist at our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, clinic. “Clinicians need CEUs to keep their licenses current, so when they hear they can earn credits while learning about advanced bionic technology, they are all in.”

Our certification pathway is designed by clinicians for clinicians. “It’s more of an education approach,” said Elise Dreiling, director of clinical operations. “We’re there to help clinicians understand what’s available for their patients, not to convince them to send patients to us.”

Training begins with an introduction to the Hero ARM Ecosystem. Clinicians receive the practical training and clinical insight needed to confidently work with our full device range, including MyoPods, the Sidekick app, Hero FLEX socket, Hero PRO, Hero RGD, Hero ARM, and Hero GAUNTLET.

“The goal is to help clinical teams become informed partners who evaluate patients, align therapy goals and troubleshoot fittings using the same standards followed in our own clinics,” Elise explained.

Sessions are intentionally hands-on. “Clinicians want to see the devices, hold them, and understand how they work,” she said. “They want a straightforward overview of what it does, why it’s effective, and how it can help their patients.” During a typical session, prosthetists and occupational and hand therapists compare device strengths, review which patient presentations benefit most from Hero ARM, Hero PRO or Hero RGD, and explore how grip modes, wrist mechanics, and Activity Attachments give patients options for work, school and daily living.

Katie arrives at every session with “quite literally everything” in her product demo kit, prompting detailed conversations with prosthetists, occupational therapists and hand therapists about casting, scanning and real-world fitting scenarios. “Prosthetists are the most rewarding group to train,” she said. “They are going to have more in-depth questions and real situations they want to ask you about.”

Through this model, clinicians can practice identifying reliable EMG signals with our MyoPods, interpreting electrode placement with the Sidekick app, learn how to determine whether a patient is a good candidate for HeroFLEX socket, and know what information—such as cast quality, trim lines and scan clarity—is required to submit successful orders. Training might also include practical exposure to Activity Attachments for Hero FLEX, helping clinicians understand how the different terminal devices support functional goals for work, recreation and daily independence.

Beyond device operation, prosthetists gain insight into best practices for casting and check-socket preparation, while occupational therapists and hand therapists learn early myoelectric control strategies to support patient progress. Completing our certified training introduces clinics to new opportunities, from improved device selection and confident patient evaluation to stronger fabrication quality. For many partners, this education becomes the foundation for ongoing collaboration, clinical support and even participation in research initiatives.

Those relationships often start with curiosity. “Dr. Brian Kelly runs a biweekly upper-extremity amputee clinic and has been a supporter of Open Bionics since the beginning,” said Jonah Rhymer, certified prosthetist at our Chicago clinic. “He still feels we’re the best myoelectric solution. Their clinicians were incredibly impressed by the HeroFLEX and the wireless capabilities of the MyoPods. They were excited about the possibility of a single-site pediatric solution. They even expressed interest in partnering on research. It’s an incredible team and very receptive to our mission.”

Certified partner clinicians also benefit from tailored instruction. Prosthetists often request expanded sessions, while occupational therapists and hand therapists look for more time with early training strategies, pattern recognition and patient carryover. “Pairing a motivated OT with a motivated patient is a match made in heaven,” said Daniel Green, certified prosthetist at our New York City clinic. “Those partnerships turn practice into progress.”

Universities that complete our Certified Clinic Partner program will better prepare students to enter clinical practice with meaningful familiarity with multi-grip bionic technology. 

“I recently had the pleasure of lecturing to fourteen students in the doctoral occupational therapy program at Old Dominion University,” said Paul Harrington, certified prosthetist at our Virginia Beach clinic. “They were excited to try the devices, find the EMG signals and see how the hands work. We reviewed all prosthetic types, their advantages and limitations, and what it really takes for patients to succeed.”

“When clinicians understand the technology, they change how they talk to their patients and that can change everything,” Katie said. 

Every patient arrives with different goals, anatomy and needs. “No two limb presentations are ever the same, so no two approaches to patient care should be the same either,” she said.

If your university or clinic is ready to begin the certification process to strengthen your expertise with our Hero ARM Ecosystem, request a Certified Clinical Partner training here.