Orthopaedic Plaster Technician

Blue Eye Designs; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Sunderland is looking for an Orthopaedic Plaster Technician. This critical role involves working in various settings, including the Plaster Room and Emergency Department, and includes responsibilities such as supervising staff and ensuring high standards of patient care. Candidates must have the British Orthopaedic Casting Certificate and clinical knowledge of orthopaedic procedures. The position offers a salary between £31,049 and £37,796 per year, with both full-time and part-time options available.

Benefits

High-quality education and training

Career progression opportunities

Focus on workforce health and wellbeing

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience within an orthopaedic plaster room.
• Competent in a wide range of casting techniques and materials.
• Ability to work autonomously in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality orthopaedic care to patients in various settings.
• Supervise Trainee Orthopaedic Technicians and other clinical staff.
• Plan departmental workload for effective service delivery.

Skills

Clinical knowledge of orthopaedics

Ability to communicate effectively

Manual dexterity

Ability to prioritize tasks

Commitment to patient care

Ability to work on own initiative

Education

British Orthopaedic Casting Certificate (BCC)

Registration with HCPC

Tools

Casting materials

Braces

Job description

Job Summary

The Directorate of Trauma and Orthopaedics is dynamic and forward‑thinking in our approach to delivering patient care. This is an exciting time for us as we look to improve a number of pathways to enhance patient care and overall experience.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an orthopaedic plaster technician to join our Plaster Room team, which operates within our busy and vibrant Orthopaedic department. Our Plaster Services Team are responsible for casting, removing K‑wires, dressing wounds, splinting and bracing all our patients at STSFT, whilst also working closely with patients to inform and educate them along their road to recovery. Full training will be provided if required in any of these areas.

The Orthopaedic Plaster Technician will actively work alongside other practitioners in the Orthopaedic team to provide high quality, efficient and effective orthopaedic and trauma care to patients in the Plaster Room, Theatres and the Emergency Department.

The Orthopaedic Plaster technicians play a vital role in applying specialised casting, including hip spicas, serial and Ponsetti casting and TCCs.

The Orthopaedic Plaster technician sees a wide variety of patients, which include outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, theatres, treating both adult and paediatric patients as well as podiatry patients.

We are currently looking to recruit an Orthopaedic Technician Band 5 who holds a British Orthopaedic Casting Certificate (BCC) or the equivalent. The position is advertised as full‑time; part‑time hours will also be considered. The candidate will be expected to provide cross‑site cover, and on occasion bank‑holiday cover, on a fair rota basis. The post holder will follow directions from the Senior Orthopaedic Technicians and participate in individual patient treatments, providing an Orthopaedic and Technical service of the highest standard to the Trauma and Orthopaedic department and other departments of the Trust.

Key Responsibilities

• Work as an autonomous practitioner within the service, compliant with local guidelines and prescribed care by Consultant.
• Direct, instruct and supervise Trainee Orthopaedic Technicians and other clinical staff (medical and nursing) while demonstrating high standards of casting application.
• Actively seek the views of patients and carers on their understanding of their care needs to ensure a positive experience.
• Plan the workload of the department to ensure effective and efficient utilisation of resources daily, organising staff cover arrangements where necessary.
• Be flexible to the needs of the service and patients at all times, ensuring a streamlined, efficient service.
• Provide cross‑site cover and bank‑holiday cover on a fair rota basis.
• Comply with and promote the Trust’s vision, values and behavioural compact.

Qualifications

• BOA Certificate in Casting (BCC).
• Registration with HCPC.

Physical Skills (Essential)

• Manual dexterity to support plaster techniques.
• Committed to behaving in an appropriate manner to present a caring image to patients.

Skills and Knowledge (Essential)

• Clinical knowledge of orthopaedics and sub‑specialties.
• Ability to prioritise tasks.
• Ability to communicate information in an understandable way to patients and colleagues, adapting communication style to meet the needs of the recipient.
• Ability to communicate with seniors internal and external to the organisation in a professional manner at all times.
• Ability to communicate information accurately both verbally and in writing.
• Basic skills of empathy and reassurance.
• Ability to work effectively within a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Able to understand instructions and carry out duties in accordance with them.
• Committed to pursuing patient concerns.
• Flexible and adaptable to change duties in accordance with patient needs, and react to instructions from more senior members of the team.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Experience (Essential)

• Substantial experience of working in an orthopaedic plaster room in an acute setting post BCC certificate.
• Competent in a wide range of casting materials and braces.
• Experience of working autonomously.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce's health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high‑quality education, training, career progression and support.

Employer Details

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
South Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kayll Road
Sunderland
SR47 TP

Recruitment Information

• Band: 5
• Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full‑time (part‑time considered)
• Date posted: 15 January 2026
• Reference number: C9155‑GSAHP‑0126‑19

Contact

Application details are included in the application form. Please add your telephone number so we can contact you quickly if required.