Plaster Technician - Orthopaedic Practitioner

Transformation Unit; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is seeking a Band 5 Orthopaedic Plaster Technician to deliver a specialist plastering service within the Fracture Clinic. You will apply, modify and remove casts and splints, assess skin and neurovascular status, and educate patients while maintaining safety and standards.

The role supports clinic capacity and patient flow, contributing to governance, audits and quality improvement as part of a multidisciplinary team involved in delivering timely

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent)
• BOA Casting Certificate or equivalent orthopaedic casting qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development within trauma and orthopaedics, plastering/casting or related clinical specialty
• Evidence of competency in plastering, casting and splinting
• Experience in applying, adjusting and removing orthopaedic casts, splints and related devices

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist plastering service within Fracture Clinic including casting, splinting and removal
• Assess skin integrity and neurovascular status and escalate concerns
• Maintain accurate clinical records and utilise IT systems
• Support clinic capacity, patient flow and waiting-list management
• Contribute to clinical governance, audits and quality improvement

Skills

Communication

Patient education

Time management

Teamwork

Clinical judgment

Education

Orthopaedic/plaster technician qualification

BOA Casting Certificate

Diploma/degree in healthcare or orthopaedic discipline

CPD evidence in trauma/orthopaedics

Job description

Employer Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Manchester Royal Infirmary Town Manchester Salary £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 06/10/2026 23:59

NHS AfC: Band 5

Job overview

The Band 5 Orthopaedic Plaster Technician will provide a specialist orthopaedic technical service within Fracture Clinic, supporting the assessment, application, modification and removal of a range of casts, splints and other immobilisation devices. The post holder will work autonomously within their scope of competence, ensuring procedures are undertaken safely, effectively and in accordance with relevant clinical standards and Trust policies.

The role will support the efficient delivery of Fracture Clinic activity by providing dedicated plaster expertise, reducing delays to patient treatment and releasing medical and nursing staff to focus on clinical assessment and patient care. The post holder will contribute to maintaining patient safety through appropriate cast application, skin and neurovascular assessment, patient education and escalation of any concerns.

The post will also support clinic capacity, patient flow, waiting-list management and operational performance, while providing specialist advice and support to the wider multidisciplinary team. The role will contribute to clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and maintaining plaster competencies within the service.

Main duties of the job

Role Requirements

Qualifications & Training

• Relevant orthopaedic/plaster technician qualification or equivalent recognised training.
• Evidence of competency in plastering, casting and splinting.
• Commitment to maintaining competencies and undertaking relevant CPD.

Experience

• Experience working within an orthopaedic plaster room or similar clinical environment.
• Experience applying, modifying and removing plaster/synthetic casts and splints.
• Experience recognising and escalating plaster-related complications.
• Experience working autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Knowledge & Skills

• Specialist knowledge of plastering, casting and splinting techniques.
• Understanding of patient safety, infection prevention and clinical governance.
• Ability to assess skin integrity and neurovascular status and identify complications.
• Good communication and patient education skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate clinical records and use relevant IT systems.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work effectively under pressure.

Personal Attributes

• Patient-centred, compassionate and professional approach.
• Reliable, organised and flexible.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to quality improvement, continuous learning and safe practice.

Working for our organisation

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.
Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.
You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.
At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.
Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the 'Documents to download' heading.

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS : Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS : Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCSE Grade A–C or equivalent in Maths and English
• British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) Casting Certificate or equivalent recognised orthopaedic casting qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development within trauma and orthopaedics, plastering/casting or a relevant clinical speciality
• Evidence of relevant clinical training and competency in the application, adjustment and removal of orthopaedic casts, splints and related devices.
• Diploma, degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant healthcare or orthopaedic discipline
• Relevant safeguarding training and experience
• Additional recognised orthopaedic or plastering qualifications.

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology relevant to orthopaedic conditions and trauma, including upper and lower limb injuries
• Sound knowledge of commonly encountered orthopaedic and traumatic conditions and their management through casting and splinting
• Comprehensive knowledge of casting materials, techniques and orthopaedic devices
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control principles and their application within a clinical environment
• Knowledge of tissue viability and the potential impact of casting and immobilisation on skin integrity
• Understanding of neurovascular assessment and the signs and symptoms requiring escalation following cast application.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and how these principles apply to patients, relatives and colleagues.
• Understanding of clinical governance, risk management, incident reporting and patient safety
• Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and implementation of change
• Understanding of audit, research and evidencebased practice within trauma and orthopaedics
• Knowledge of stock management and service improvement processes

Training and Experience

• Evidence of effective multidisciplinary working
• Significant experience in the application, adjustment and removal of orthopaedic casts, splints and related devices
• Experience of working within a trauma and orthopaedic environment
• Experience of assessing patients before and following cast application and recognising complications requiring escalation
• Experience of working autonomously within the boundaries of the role and recognising when advice or clinical escalation is required
• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload according to clinical need and service requirements
• Experience of working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of supporting and advising colleagues in relation to plastering, casting and orthopaedic devices
• Experience of contributing to clinical audits, quality improvement or service development activities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrable ability to work independently and manage own workload effectively
• Proven ability to problem solve and make appropriate decisions within the boundaries of the role.
• Experience of leading or supporting audits, surveys, research or quality improvement projects
• Experience of supporting the induction, training or competency assessment of colleagues
• Experience of working across different clinical areas or Trust sites

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.