An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our small, friendly team within the Plaster Room as a Trainee Orthopaedic Technician The successful candidate will work as part of a specialist team providing high quality orthopaedic technical support to fracture clinics, orthopaedic theatres and the Emergency Department . The role involves assisting with the application and removal of casts and splints, supporting clinicians during fracture clinic procedures and helping to ensure patients receive safe and effective immobilisation following injury or surgery.
This is a development post . The successful candidate will be appointed at Band 3 as a trainee and will be supported to complete the recognised casting qualification through the British Orthopaedic Association Casting Certificate .
On successful completion of the qualification and competency framework, the post holder will progress to Band 4 Orthopaedic Technician .
Full training will be provided; however, experience working in a healthcare setting and an interest in trauma and orthopaedics would be advantageous. The plaster room supports a busy trauma service and the successful candidate must be able to work flexibly to support fracture clinics, theatre lists and Emergency Department activity .
If you are motivated, enthusiastic and interested in developing specialist skills within orthopaedics, we would welcome your application.
The post holder will undertake a structured in-house training programme over a period of approximately 12 months to develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required in orthopaedic casting and bracing techniques. This training will prepare the post holder to enrol on one of the nationally recognised courses leading to the British Casting Certificate , with the overall aim of successfully completing the examination and becoming a qualified Orthopaedic Practitioner.
Under supervision, the post holder will assist in delivering a comprehensive Orthopaedic Casting and Bracing service to patients attending Fracture and Orthopaedic Clinics, inpatient wards, Theatres, Podiatry, Physiotherapy and the Emergency Department (ED) .
The post holder will support qualified Orthopaedic Technicians and the wider multidisciplinary team in the application and removal of casts and splints, preparation of equipment and materials, and ensuring patients receive safe and effective immobilisation as part of their treatment.
Once an appropriate level of theoretical knowledge and clinical competence has been achieved, and subject to successful completion of the required competencies, the post holder will participate in late shifts and weekend working , initially under supervision, to support service delivery.
We operate from three main hospitals-Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.
FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.
WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.
All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.
Our Community Service for adults are provided in people's homes ,community centres, clinics, GP Practices, community hospitals. Our aim is to work with people to help them remain independent , improve their health and manage their conditions through high quality care , advice and support.
The post holder will work as part of the Plaster Room team providing a high quality Orthopaedic Casting and Bracing service to patients within the Trauma and Orthopaedic service. The role will support fracture clinics, inpatient wards, theatres and the Emergency Department to ensure patients receive safe and effective immobilisation following injury or surgery.
This is a developmental post and the successful candidate will undertake a structured training programme to develop the knowledge and skills required to become a qualified Orthopaedic Practitioner.
Training and Development
The post holder will undertake a structured in-house training programme over approximately 12 months to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills in orthopaedic casting and bracing techniques.
This training will prepare the post holder to enrol on one of the nationally recognised courses leading to the British Casting Certificate awarded through the British Orthopaedic Association . The aim is for the post holder to successfully complete the course and examination and progress to a qualified Orthopaedic Technician role.
The post holder will:
Participate in supervised clinical practice to develop competence in casting and splinting techniques
Maintain a portfolio of competencies and training records
Attend relevant study days and training sessions
Demonstrate continuous professional development in line with departmental requirements
Clinical Duties
Under supervision, the post holder will:
Assist in the application, removal and adjustment of casts, splints and braces
Prepare materials and equipment required for orthopaedic casting procedures
Assist clinicians during fracture clinics and orthopaedic procedures
Provide reassurance and clear information to patients undergoing casting procedures
Assist with the safe handling and positioning of patients during treatment
Observe and report any concerns regarding circulation, skin integrity or patient discomfort following immobilisation
Maintain safe infection prevention and control practices within the plaster room
Service Delivery
The post holder will support the delivery of an Orthopaedic Casting and Bracing service across a range of clinical areas including:
Fracture and Orthopaedic Clinics
Inpatient wards
Orthopaedic Theatres
Emergency Department
Podiatry and Physiotherapy departments where appropriate
The role will contribute to the smooth running of clinics by ensuring equipment, materials and clinical areas are prepared and maintained to a high standard.
Team Working
The post holder will work closely with Orthopaedic Consultants, Nursing staff, Orthopaedic Technicians and the wider multidisciplinary team to support patient care.
They will:
Communicate effectively with colleagues and patients
Work collaboratively to ensure efficient patient flow through fracture clinics
Support the overall functioning of the plaster room service
Service Support Duties
The post holder will:
Maintain stock levels of plaster room materials and equipment
Ensure the plaster room environment is clean, safe and organised
Assist with ordering supplies and monitoring stock usage
Ensure equipment is maintained and faults reported appropriately
Working Pattern
Once the required competencies have been achieved and a satisfactory level of theoretical knowledge and clinical practice demonstrated, the post holder will participate in late shifts and weekend working , initially under supervision, in order to support service delivery.
