Trainee Plaster Technician
Go back Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Closing date is 14 July 2026
We are seeking a dedicated Trainee Orthopaedic Technician to join our small, friendly team in the Plaster room. The role supports fracture clinics, orthopaedic theatres and the emergency department. The successful candidate will assist with the application and removal of casts and splints, support clinicians during fracture clinic procedures, and help patients receive safe and effective treatment following injury or surgery.
The post is a development position starting at Band 4. The trainee will be supported to complete the British Orthopaedic Association Casting Certificate. Upon successful completion and agreed post‑course period, the role will progress to Band 5 Orthopaedic Technician.
Main duties
- Apply and remove casts and splints in a range of materials.
- Acquire knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology.
- Provide patient‑centred casting for in‑patients and out‑patients, under supervision, including specialist casting such as hip spica casts in the operating theatre.
- Develop skills in routine and complex plaster techniques, including synthetic casts, resting and functional splinting.
- Perform basic dressings and aseptic techniques in line with post‑operative instructions; identify and escalating concerns to the appropriate medical team.
- Measure and order braces for various medical conditions (osteoarthritis, ligamentous injuries, post‑operative stability).
Qualifications
- NVQ level 3 HCSW or equivalent competency level.
- Willingness to work towards the British Casting Certificate.
- Certificate from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.
Experience
- Previous health‑care experience in a primary or hospital setting.
- Experience as a band 3 HCA, including wound assessment and care, pressure area care and escalation of findings.
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.
- Team‑working experience throughout the hospital.
- Ability to communicate with staff at all levels.
- Experience in casting/splinting techniques.
- Prior NHS experience.
Knowledge
- Understanding of confidentiality and data protection.
- Understanding of accountability.
Skills
- Basic IT skills.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work as an integral member of a small team.
- Effective interpersonal skills.
- Commitment to multi‑disciplinary working.
Additional Requirements
- Ability to behave and interact at all times according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
Benefits to you
- On‑site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries.
- Reduced‑cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site.
- Free Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites, and to/from Cambridge train station.
- Subsidised parking on site for eligible staff.
- 24/7 hot food on campus at reduced cost.
- Flexible working arrangements: part‑time, job‑share, term‑time, flexible start/finish times.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 per annum pro rata.
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