Job summary
The post holder will be responsible for assessing individual patient care needs and developing, implementing, and evaluating plans of care in accordance with agreed policies and professional guidelines.

The role involves providing a comprehensive plastering service across orthopaedic wards, fracture clinics, theatres, outpatient clinics, and the Emergency Department, working flexibly to meet the needs of the service.

The post holder will work autonomously, undertaking holistic assessments and examinations to inform and implement appropriate management plans. Using specialist knowledge and skills, they will deliver high-quality treatment within the Plaster Room and support the Lead Orthopaedic Practitioner in the development of both new and existing services.

The role requires close collaboration with the Lead Orthopaedic Practitioner, Senior Nurses, Divisional Managers, and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure delivery of high-quality, patient-focused, and cost-effective care. The post holder will also contribute to the provision of formal and informal teaching within the multidisciplinary team and act as a resource for ongoing education and development within the service.

The post holder is accountable for their own professional practice, works without direct supervision, and reports to the Lead Orthopaedic Practitioner.

Main duties of the job

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care in line with professional standards and Trust policies
• Provide a specialist plaster casting service across multiple clinical settings including wards, theatres, fracture clinics, outpatient clinics, and Emergency Department
• Work autonomously to carry out holistic patient assessments and deliver appropriate management plans
• Apply specialist plastering techniques using plaster of Paris (POP) and synthetic materials
• Undertake application and adjustment of splints and braces
• Perform associated clinical procedures including wound care, removal of sutures, clips, and percutaneous K-wires
• Assist clinicians in delivering patient treatment plans
• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure effective and high-quality care delivery
• Support service development alongside the Lead Orthopaedic Practitioner
• Maintain flexibility to meet service demands and patient needs
• Contribute to education and training of staff within the department

At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.

Our Mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, and our vision is Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.

About us
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.

Job responsibilities
The post holder will be directly involved in patient care across the plaster room, theatres, Emergency Department, and wards. This includes the application, adjustment, and removal of casts and related orthopaedic appliances.

They will liaise closely with clinicians to ensure correct positioning of limbs before, during, and after casting procedures. The post holder will be expected to raise concerns promptly with the clinician in charge if any issues are identified.

Working autonomously, the post holder will formulate and deliver high-quality care, seeking guidance where required when situations fall outside defined standards. They will ensure that patient safety is maintained at all times, reporting and documenting adverse or potentially adverse events and supporting investigations, ensuring lessons learned are shared across the team.

The role includes responsibility for identifying and escalating any difficulties in achieving expected plastering standards to the Lead Orthopaedic Practitioner, Consultant, or Registrar, and taking appropriate action.

The post holder will work collaboratively with the wider departmental team to deliver outpatient services in line with Trust policies, procedures, and protocols, ensuring effective use of allocated resources.

They will promote a positive, professional, and approachable image at all times when interacting with patients, colleagues, and visitors within the Outpatients department.

Additionally, the post holder will contribute to both formal and informal teaching within the multidisciplinary team, supporting staff development and acting as a specialist resource within the service.

Person Specification
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential

• British Casting Certificate
• Active on BOA Register
• Maintains Professional Portfolio

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential

• Recent evidence of work in plaster room environment (within last 3 months) and demonstrable experience of Orthopaedic Practitioner or equivalent
• Evidence of recent clinical skills and competency with a variety of casting materials equipment.
• Evidence of clinical skills and competency to undertake a variety of full casts in plaster of Paris. Including Colles, scaphoid, Bennetts, above elbow, below elbow, below knee, long leg, cylinder, shoulder Spica and slipper.
• Variety of slabs - including volar, U, below elbow, below knee, above knee, ulna.
• Evidence of experience in fitting appliances including wrist braces, knee braces, air cast boots

SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential

• Able to work on own initiative and under pressure across competing priorities.
• Frequent requirement to exert moderate physical effort for several long periods during shift and ability to undertake safe manual handling of patients for clinical interventions.
• Evidence of ability to practice as competent practitioner.
• Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients and visitors.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of confidentiality and how this relates to a Plaster Room setting.
• Ability to motivate others and be self- motivating.
• Ability to work flexibly, prioritising tasks as appropriate.
• Evidence of participation in Audit and research.
• Ability to work autonomously and within in a team.

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Dorset County Hospital, West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust, Dorchester, DT1 2JY, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Service Manager
Emma Garland
emma.garland@dchft.nhs.uk
01305254139

Details
Date posted: 20 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 405-26-AHP346OP-B
Job locations: Dorset County Hospital, West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust, Dorchester, DT1 2JY, United Kingdom

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