Plaster Technician - Orthopaedic Practitioner
Manchester University Nhs Foundation Trust
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Job summary
The Band 5 Orthopaedic Plaster Technician role at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist plastering, casting and immobilisation support within Fracture Clinic. You will assess, apply, modify and remove casts and splints, working autonomously within Trust policies to ensure patient safety and effective treatment.
You will help improve clinic capacity and flow by delivering expert plastering services, educating patients and supporting a multidisciplinary team in delivering
Qualifications
- GCSE Grade A-C in Maths and English or equivalent.
- BOA Casting Certificate or equivalent orthopaedic casting qualification.
- Evidence of CPD in trauma and orthopaedics.
- Evidence of competency in the application, adjustment and removal of orthopaedic casts, splints and related devices.
Responsibilities
- Provide specialist plastering, casting and immobilisation service in Fracture Clinic.
- Assess skin integrity and neurovascular status before/after cast application.
- Support clinic capacity and patient flow by delivering expert plastering services and supporting the multidisciplinary team.
Skills
Education
Job description
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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- Closing date: 04 November 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 5
- Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum pro rata
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Part-time
- Reference number: 349-MRI-8392954C-RL4
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.
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one-stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You'll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
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. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
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.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december
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.
- 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.
- 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 evidence-based practice within trauma and orthopaedics
- Knowledge of stock management and service improvement processes
- 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
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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
- Employer name: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- Address: Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
- Employer's website: https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/
Ward Manager - Fracture Clinic, Carol Lambert, carol.lambert@mft.nhs.uk, 01612768908
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to equality of opportunity and eliminating unlawful discrimination. Privacy notice available on the Trust website.
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