Orthopaedic practitioner
Orthopaedic practitioners help patients recover from injury or surgery as quickly as possible by making sure casts and splints are fitted correctly.
Working life
As an orthopaedic practitioner, you'll apply casts and splints to patients following an accident or surgery or for particular orthopaedic conditions. Casts and splits are used to keep limbs and joints in position while they heal.
You'll need to use the most suitable technique and material. Casts can be made from:
- plaster of Paris
- fibreglass
- polypropylene
- polyester substrates
You may also:
- advise patients after the splint or cast has been fitted, sometimes over the phone
- apply dressings to wounds
- remove dressings and stitches from wounds
- remove casts and splints
- order supplies
- update patients’ records
You may be known as a casting technician or plaster technician.
Orthopaedic practitioners work in trauma and orthopaedic clinics. They may work with patients of all ages and conditions or they may specialise in, for example, children or older people.
Entry requirements
Employers expect good numeracy and literacy. They may ask for GCSEs. Employers may also ask for a qualification such as an NVQ or BTEC in health care. It may be possible to enter by working as a healthcare assistant or clinical support worker in a trauma and orthopaedic clinic. Once you have experience of working with patients you could approach the casting room staff to ask for an opportunity to get experience of casting work.
Skills and personal characteristics
As an orthopaedic practitioner, you need to be:
- confident and reassuring
- able to deal with people who are upset
- happy to be hands-on with patients
- willing to work with messy materials
- able to follow procedures
- able to work quickly and carefully
- able to work alone or in a team
You'll also need:
- good manual (hand) skills
- organisation skills
- good communication skills
- the ability to explain treatment to patients and to offer advice as appropriate
Training and development
To become a fully qualified orthopaedic practitioner, you need to take the British Casting Certificate. You can take the five-week course as a block or by day release. To get on the course, you need at least a year’s experience of casting work.
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Clinical support staff working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. As an orthopaedic practitioner you will typically start on AfC band 3. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions at bands 4 and 5. Orthopaedic practitioners work standard hours of around 37.5 a week. They may work shifts, which could involve nights, early starts, evenings and weekends. Terms and conditions will usually be different for clinical support staff working outside of the NHS.
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You could progress to senior roles within the plaster room. You could apply to train as an assistant practitioner or with the appropriate qualifications for entry to university, train as a healthcare professional such as nurse, physiotherapist, or prosthetist/orthotist.
If you're applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you'll be asked to show how you think the NHS values apply in your everyday work. Find out more about NHS values.
Most NHS trusts advertise their vacancies on NHS Jobs. Some of the current vacancies are below.
-
Orthopaedic Practitioner
Gateshead, NE96SX
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
-
Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Practitioner (AP)
Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7QB
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust
-
Theatre Practitioner - Scrub Orthopaedics (Bank)
Haywards Heath, RH16 1UD
- Salary :
- £26.00 to £26.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Nuffield Health
-
GPwER - Orthopaedics
Birmingham, B16 8PE
- Salary :
- £10750.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Modality LLP
-
Physiotherapist Orthopaedics
Worksop, S81 0BD
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
-
Assistant Physiotherapy Practitioner, Trauma and Orthopaedics
Worcester, WR5 1DD
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Shepton Mallet, BA4 4LP
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Trauma & Orthopaedics HCSW
Poole, BH15 2JB
- Salary :
- £24465.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Clinical Fellow - Orthopaedics
Birmingham, B16 8PE
- Salary :
- £10250.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Modality LLP
-
Elective Orthopaedic Staff Nurse
Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
-
Strategic Senior Buyer - Orthopaedics
Epsom, KT18 5AL
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Nuffield Health
-
Occupational Therapist - Trauma & Orthopaedics
Margate, CT9 4AN
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon
Birmingham, B152QD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Consultant in Paediatric Orthopaedics
Bath, BA13NG
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
-
Orthopaedic Team Leader - Theatres
Bristol, BS6 6UT
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Spire Healthcare Ltd
-
Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon
Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5NY
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Medway NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Orthopaedic Occupational Therapist
Redhill, RH1 5RH
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Health Care Assistant - Orthopaedics
Wirral, CH49 5PE
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon - Hip & Knee
Birmingham, B152QD
- Salary :
- £140000.00
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Locum Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon
Royal Stoke, ST4 6QG
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
-
Senior Clinical Fellow Trauma & Orthopaedics
Salford, M6 8HD
- Salary :
- £65048.00 to £73992.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
-
Registered Nurse - Trauma and Orthopaedic
Llantrisant, CF72 8XR
- Salary :
- £31516.00 to £38364.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
-
Directorate Manager Trauma and Orthopaedics
Llantrisant, CF72 8XR
- Salary :
- £78120.00 to £90013.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
-
Senior Occupational Therapist for Orthopaedics
London, E11 1NR
- Salary :
- £53751.00 to £60651.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Barts Health NHS Trust
-
Scrub Team Leader - Elective Orthopaedics
Bristol, BS10 5NB
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Bristol NHS Trust
-
Paediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist - Orthopaedics
Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Healthcare Assistant - Trauma and Orthopaedics
Liverpool, L9 7AL
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 6 Occupational Therapist: Trauma & Orthopaedics
Chertsey, KT16 0PZ
- Salary :
- £40617.00 to £48778.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Orthopaedic or Spinal Scrub Nurse/ODP
Salisbury, SP5 4EW
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Ramsay Health Care UK Operations Limited
-
Consultant Anaesthetist (Orthopaedics and Trauma Anaesthesia)
Wrexham, LL11 7TD
- Salary :
- £110240.00 to £160951.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
-
LAS Specialty Registrar in Trauma & Orthopaedics
Reading, RG1 5AN
- Salary :
- £65048.00 to £73992.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
-
Team Lead Physiotherapist, Trauma and Orthopaedics
Worcester, WR5 1DD
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Trauma & Orthopaedic Locum Consultant (Foot & Ankle)
Isleworth, TW7 6AF
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Locum
- Employer :
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant in Orthopaedics (Knee Surgeon)
Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7QB
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialist Occupational Therapist , Orthopaedic Oncology Team
Stanmore, HA7 4LP
- Salary :
- £44485.00 to £52521.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust
-
Specialist Occupational Therapist - General Surgery & Orthopaedics
London, W2 1NY
- Salary :
- £56276.00 to £63176.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Senior Clinical Fellow in Trauma and Orthopaedics
London, NW3 2QG
- Salary :
- £65048.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
-
Specialist Physiotherapist Trauma and Orthopaedics and Vascular
London, W2 1NY
- Salary :
- £44806.00 to £53134.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Senior Clinical Fellow in Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
London, SE1 7EH
- Salary :
- £65048.00 to £73992.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 7 Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - Orthopaedics
Gorleston, NR31 6LA
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Registered Nurse - Trauma and Orthopaedic Ward, RGH
Llantrisant, CF72 8XR
- Salary :
- £31516.00 to £38364.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
-
Technician
Chelmsford, CM1 7WE
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
-
Science Manufacturing Technician or Pharmacy Technician
Exeter, EX2 5DW
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon – Upper Limb or Shoulder & Elbow
Shepton Mallet, BA4 4LP
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
TPD Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery South (East Midlands)
Leicester, LE3 8TB
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
Locum Consultant in Trauma & Orthopaedics (speciality - Foot & Ankle)
London, SE13 6LH
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
-
Dental Technician
Plymouth, PL1 4JZ
- Salary :
- £33072.00 to £37232.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise CIC
-
Pharmacy Technician
Burton on Trent, DE13 9NA
- Salary :
- £15.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Tutbury Practice
-
Pharmacy Technician
Bicester, OX25 1PZ
- Salary :
- £36555.00 to £43534.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Pharmacy Technician
Manchester, M32 0DF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Delamere Medical Practice
-
Decontamination Technician
Plymouth, PL6 8DH
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
-
Pharmacy Technician
Truro, TR1 2JA
- Salary :
- £29970.00 to £36483.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Three Spires Medical Practice
-
Pharmacy Technician
Manchester, M32 0DF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Delamere Medical Practice
-
Ophthalmic Technician
Harrogate, HG2 7SX
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
-
Pharmacy Technician
Norwich, NR10 5GB
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Pharmacy Technician
Aylesbury, HP21 8AL
- Salary :
- £18.66
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- NHS Professionals Limited
-
Pharmacy technician
Alfreton, DE55 7AH
- Salary :
- £14.50
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Amber Valley Health Ltd
-
Pharmacy Technician
London, N7 8TT
- Salary :
- £36000.00 to £43756.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Pharmacy Technician
Manchester, M20 4BX
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- HCA Healthcare UK
-
Pharmacy Technician
Oakham , LE15 7RD
- Salary :
- £33232.00 to £40211.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
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