Job summary
We are seeking a skilled and motivated Orthopaedic Practitioner to join our multidisciplinary team, specialising in casting and plastering techniques. The successful candidate will hold the British Orthopaedic Association Casting Certificate and demonstrate the ability to work autonomously, delivering high standards of care through expert assessment, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making.
This role involves supervising junior staff, supporting a wide range of clinical departments, including Emergency, Theatres, ICU, and outpatient services--and providing specialist procedures such as casting, splinting, bracing, and manipulation. You will also contribute to the education and development of staff and ensure safe, effective patient care across both adult and paediatric services.
The post requires excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, as well as the flexibility to work within a 23-hour shift pattern to meet the needs of the service, across both hospital sites.
Main duties of the job
Lead and deliver training programmes for new trainee Orthopaedic Practitioners.
Sign off competencies for cast removal, application, splinting, and limb positioning.
Identify development needs and training opportunities within the service.
Remain accountable for own ongoing professional development.
Actively participate in in-service and external training offered by the Trust.
Deliver structured training sessions and support education Trust-wide as required.
Stay updated on advances in casting techniques and relevant published research and audits.
Identify and engage in clinical audits relevant to the plaster room service.
High level of manual dexterity and technical skill required during complex casting procedures, often performed in physically restricted positions (e.g. bending, kneeling).
Sustained concentration and focus required despite frequent interruptions.
Occasional exposure to unpleasant working conditions, including uncooperative patients and hygiene challenges.
Frequent use of computer systems and visual display units
About us
We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.
With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.
As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role requires a highly skilled and professionally accountable Orthopaedic Practitioner working in line with recognised professional standards, including those set by the Association of Orthopaedic Practitioners and the British Orthopaedic Association. The practitioner must hold a valid British Casting Certificate, maintain active registration on the British Casting Register, and demonstrate ongoing professional development.
Clinically, the practitioner must be competent in a wide range of casting and orthopaedic techniques, including the Ponsetti method and the application of complex casts such as hip spicas, particularly within paediatric care. They should possess extensive post-qualification experience across acute orthopaedic settings, including outpatient clinics, emergency trauma care, theatres, wards, and community-based patient care.
The role involves autonomous clinical practice, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. The practitioner must be confident in decision-making, able to recognise and respond to life- or limb-threatening conditions, and provide safe, effective wound care in line with Trust policies, including removal of sutures, clips, and K-wires.
Strong multidisciplinary working is essential, with the ability to collaborate effectively across adult and paediatric services. The practitioner must provide technical expertise in fracture clinics, emergency departments, theatres, and wards, while also supporting orthotic care through the adaptation and application of specialist braces and spinal collars.
The role also includes significant teaching and leadership responsibilities. The practitioner should be able to supervise, mentor, and support trainees and plaster room staff, demonstrating strong interpersonal and communication skills when engaging with patients, families, and colleagues. They must also be proficient in IT systems and able to work flexibly under pressure across multiple sites, acting as a professional role model at all times.
Please see attached job description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role requires a highly skilled and professionally accountable Orthopaedic Practitioner working in line with recognised professional standards, including those set by the Association of Orthopaedic Practitioners and the British Orthopaedic Association. The practitioner must hold a valid British Casting Certificate, maintain active registration on the British Casting Register, and demonstrate ongoing professional development.
Clinically, the practitioner must be competent in a wide range of casting and orthopaedic techniques, including the Ponsetti method and the application of complex casts such as hip spicas, particularly within paediatric care. They should possess extensive post-qualification experience across acute orthopaedic settings, including outpatient clinics, emergency trauma care, theatres, wards, and community-based patient care.
The role involves autonomous clinical practice, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care. The practitioner must be confident in decision-making, able to recognise and respond to life- or limb-threatening conditions, and provide safe, effective wound care in line with Trust policies, including removal of sutures, clips, and K-wires.
Strong multidisciplinary working is essential, with the ability to collaborate effectively across adult and paediatric services. The practitioner must provide technical expertise in fracture clinics, emergency departments, theatres, and wards, while also supporting orthotic care through the adaptation and application of specialist braces and spinal collars.
The role also includes significant teaching and leadership responsibilities. The practitioner should be able to supervise, mentor, and support trainees and plaster room staff, demonstrating strong interpersonal and communication skills when engaging with patients, families, and colleagues. They must also be proficient in IT systems and able to work flexibly under pressure across multiple sites, acting as a professional role model at all times.
Please see attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- British Casting Certificate (BCC) maintain active registration on the British Casting Register.
- Ponsetti Trained
- Significant and relevant experience post qualification
- Extensive experience of Trauma and Orthopaedic casting, functional bracing, musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology
- Ability to work unsupervised and to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to work flexible hours to meet service requirements
- Ability to demonstrate enthusiasm towards teaching and sharing knowledge
- Ability to recognise symptoms relating to threat to life/limb and intervene as necessary
- Ability to remove k wires, clips and sutures
- Broad knowledge and experience of clinical practice within a hospital environment and specialist clinical and technical knowledge in the application and removal of all types of casting and bracing
- Significant and relevant experience post qualification in an acute outpatient orthopaedic setting including supporting emergency trauma patients
- Application of specialist hip spicas and also work along with the doctors in Paediatric clinics and in the theatre setting
- Cross- site working CGH and GRH
- Appropriate knowledge and experience in the plaster room
Desirable
- Mentorship course
- Experience of teaching and delivery of training
- Good interpersonal and organisational, communication and IT skills
Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- British Casting Certificate (BCC) maintain active registration on the British Casting Register.
- Ponsetti Trained
- Significant and relevant experience post qualification
- Extensive experience of Trauma and Orthopaedic casting, functional bracing, musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology
- Ability to work unsupervised and to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to work flexible hours to meet service requirements
- Ability to demonstrate enthusiasm towards teaching and sharing knowledge
- Ability to recognise symptoms relating to threat to life/limb and intervene as necessary
- Ability to remove k wires, clips and sutures
- Broad knowledge and experience of clinical practice within a hospital environment and specialist clinical and technical knowledge in the application and removal of all types of casting and bracing
- Significant and relevant experience post qualification in an acute outpatient orthopaedic setting including supporting emergency trauma patients
- Application of specialist hip spicas and also work along with the doctors in Paediatric clinics and in the theatre setting
- Cross- site working CGH and GRH
- Appropriate knowledge and experience in the plaster room
Desirable
- Mentorship course
- Experience of teaching and delivery of training
- Good interpersonal and organisational, communication and IT skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
