Orthopaedic Practitioner

Bedfordshire Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust; Bedford, Luton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Orthopaedic Centre is hiring an enthusiastic Orthopaedic Practitioner (Band 4) to join the plaster room team in Bedford. This full-time, permanent post offers a structured induction and development programme to deliver high-quality fracture care and outpatient support.

You will apply casts, splints and orthopaedic devices, assist clinics, and work with consultants, nurses, therapists and admin staff to ensure safe patient care.

Qualifications

• Experience in orthopaedic casting and plaster room duties.
• Ability to assess cast-related complications.
• Excellent communication and patient-centered care.
• UK professional registration in good standing.

Responsibilities

• Deliver plaster room service and manage casts, splints and orthopaedic appliances.
• Assess patients for cast-related complications and take appropriate action.
• Support clinicians, nursing staff and clinics with casting requirements.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records.
• Educate patients and carers on cast care, mobility and recovery.

Skills

Casting

Fracture care

Teamwork

Communication

Education

BOA British Casting Certificate

Job description

Job summary

Orthopaedic Practitioner - Band 4

Orthopaedic Centre Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Band 4 (£29,970 - £36,483 per annum pro rata)

Full Time

Permanent

Orthopaedic Centre

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, and patient-focused Orthopaedic Practitioner to join our busy Orthopaedic Centre. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with an interest in orthopaedic and trauma care. The role is primarily based within the Plaster Room, where you will provide specialist casting, splinting, and orthopaedic support to patients attending fracture and elective orthopaedic clinics. The successful candidate will also support the nursing team in the delivery of outpatient clinics. The post holder will provide support to orthopaedic ward and theatre services as required. We welcome applications from both experienced Orthopaedic Practitioners and newly qualified practitioners. The successful candidate will be supported through a structured induction and competency-based development programme to enable them to deliver safe and effective patient care across the Orthopaedic Centre.

We are seeking an individual who demonstrates excellent communication skills, a compassionate approach to patient care, and a commitment to delivering high-quality services within a busy clinical setting.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver a high-quality plaster room service for patients attending the Orthopaedic Centre.
• Apply, adjust, remove, and maintain a range of casts, splints, braces, and orthopaedic appliances.
• Assess patients for cast-related complications and take appropriate action within scope of practice.
• Support clinicians and nursing staff during fracture and orthopaedic clinics.
• Assist with clinic preparation, patient flow, and follow-up arrangements.
• Provide patients and carers with education regarding cast care, mobility, and recovery.
• Support orthopaedic ward teams with casting requirements and orthopaedic interventions.
• Assist with theatre-related orthopaedic support, including post-operative splinting and casting, when required.
• Maintain accurate and timely patient records.
• Work collaboratively with consultants, nurses, therapists, theatre teams, and administrative staff to ensure the delivery of safe and effective patient care.
• Good record-keeping and IT skills.
• Ability to deliver compassionate, patient-centred care.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

• Assess patients referred to orthopaedic or fracture clinics.
• Apply, remove, and adjust casts, splints, braces, and orthotic devices.
• Perform neurovascular assessments before and after immobilisation procedures.
• Monitor patients for complications associated with fractures, casting, and orthopaedic interventions.
• Assist in the management of musculoskeletal injuries within agreed clinical protocols.
• Provide wound care and dressing changes where appropriate.
• Recognise deteriorating patients and elevate concerns promptly.
• Assist with minor procedures undertaken in fracture clinics and orthopaedic departments.
• Support consultant-led and nurse-led clinics.
• Obtain patient history and assess presenting conditions.
• Evaluate fracture healing and identify concerns requiring medical review.
• Carry out risk assessments and implement appropriate interventions.
• Develop and contribute to individualised care plans.
• Ensure patients receive safe, evidence-based care.
• Provide patients and relatives with advice regarding:
• Cast care
• Fracture management
• Mobility restrictions
• Use of mobility aids
• Rehabilitation and recovery
• Red flag symptoms requiring urgent medical attention
• Promote patient independence and self-management.
• Work closely with:
• Orthopaedic Consultants
• Trauma Surgeons
• Nurses
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Emergency Department staff
• Radiology teams
• Participate in MDT discussions regarding complex patient management.
• Maintain professional registration where applicable.
• Adhere to Trust policies, NHS guidelines, and professional standards.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records.
• Participate in clinical audits and quality improvement projects.
• Support service development initiatives.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with GDPR and NHS policies.
• Demonstrate accountability for own clinical practice.
• Assist in teaching and supporting junior staff, students, and new team members.
• Participate in mandatory training and continuing professional development (CPD).
• Maintain competency in casting techniques and orthopaedic care.
• Attend relevant professional meetings and educational events.
• Comply with infection prevention and control policies.
• Report incidents, near misses, and safeguarding concerns appropriately.
• Contribute to clinical governance activities.
• Participate in audits, service evaluations, and risk management processes.
• Maintain high standards of patient safety and quality care.
• Communicate effectively with patients and families regarding treatment plans.
• Explain procedures and gain informed consent where appropriate.
• Maintain effective communication with members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Handle sensitive information professionally and compassionately

If the candidate successfully demonstrates independent working, enthusiasm with teaching junior staff members and leadership skills there will be the opportunity for promotion to Band 5 following the recruitment process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oBOA British Casting Certificate

Desirable

• Specialist casting skills, professional development and teaching

Experience

Essential

• Extensive Knowledge of orthopaedic conditions and the treatment pathways

Desirable

• Basic knowledge of orthopaedic conditions and the treatment pathways

Communication

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Desirable

• Experience with working in a multidisciplinary team

Record keeping

Essential

• Good knowledge of Trust IT systems

Desirable

• Good record keeping and IT skills

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.