Orthopaedic Trainee Plaster Room Technician

The post holder will help deliver quality care in cast application and removal with direct supervision in an Orthopaedic Outpatient Service. They will prepare to undertake the British Casting Certificate and contribute to the development and evaluation of clinics related to the Plaster Room Service and trauma and orthopaedic outpatients. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Plaster Technician Team at Wye Valley NHS Trust as a Trainee Plaster Technician, where the team will support you in building up your competencies within the role.

Main Duties of the Job:

• Assist Plaster Technicians in prioritising the patient caseload within the Plaster Room and inform waiting patients of reasons for delays.
• Adhere to all safe systems of work applicable to the work area.
• Ensure own learning to meet the trainee role in preparation for undertaking the British Casting Certificate.
• Assist in the assessment of care needs and casting requirements and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care.
• Communicate and cooperate with all members of the multidisciplinary team and work closely with all staff of relevant departments to ensure effective liaison.
• Assess wounds and apply minor dressings prior to the application of a cast under supervision.
• Apply splints correctly following clinical assessment.
• Identify potential problems as a result of cast application and instigate measures to eliminate/minimise the risk.
• Reaffirm the treatment outlined by the clinician in relation to the cast, explain expectations of the patient and supply appropriate written material for cast care.
• Provide and record appropriate information for patients seeking telephone advice for cast care follow‑up.
• Assist clinicians in the manipulation of fractures and removal of K wires in the plaster room.
• Maintain accurate documentation of care in the medical notes.

About Us:

Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT, the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross‑on‑Wye. The post holder will be required to travel between sites. We are a progressive and forward‑looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we'd want for our family and friends.

Person Specification:

Essential – Education & Qualifications:

• GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above, or equivalent.
• Willing to complete BOA/RCN/AOT Casting Certificate training.
• Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience.

Essential – Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Advocate for the profession.
• Use own initiative.
• Manage own time and help others with time management.
• Problem‑solving skills.

Desirable:

• Ability to influence at management and team level.
• Leadership skills.

Essential – Experience:

• Experience within a Plaster Room and/or Orthopaedic Clinical Environment.

Desirable – Experience:

• Experience of total contact casting application and removal.
• Experience of serial casting.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be necessary to check for any previous criminal convictions.