Detailed job description and main responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

To deliver SAFE, PERSONAL and EFFECTIVE patient care daily. You should be an enthusiastic and motivated plaster technician with an existing British Casting Certificate and recent experience in a plaster room in an acute hospital setting. The successful applicant would work as a team player within our busy plaster room environment within our orthopaedic outpatients department. The majority of working would be carried out on the Royal Blackburn site. However, flexibility and cross site working at our Burnley General Hospital site may also be required.

The post holder will provide a full range of casts and splints for patients’ being treated by the Trust. This includes but is not limited to patients’ visiting the Emergency Department, adult and paediatric trauma and orthopaedic wards (on both site’s), specialised theatre support, the fracture and orthopaedic clinics and the Nurse Dressing clinic on a daily basis.

MAIN DUTIES

• The post holder will hold the British Casting Certificate and practise in line with the training undertaken to achieve this

• Have a minimum of 6 months recent experience in the plaster room of an acute hospital setting.

• Will actively mentor and support members of the team readily sharing skills and knowledge with less experienced colleagues. Acting as a mentor and resource for trainees who are developing their casting and splinting skills within the Trust.

• Will practise in line with all Trust policies.

• Will be able to work unsupervised using their own initiative, and be able to advise colleagues regarding available options for fracture or injury management.

• To competently apply a range of casts, splints and supports appropriate to the injury or orthopaedic problems and meet the patients’ needs. Whilst doing so to provide reassurance and communicate the management required for the applied support.

• Assist medical and nursing staff in the assessment of patients’, giving advice regarding appropriate casts, splints or techniques.

• Set and maintain a high standard of patient care and promote health care education.

• Be knowledgeable regarding possible problems and complications related to fractures and their management with casts, and to take appropriate measures to prevent occurrence.

• Attend regular departmental meetings to share learning and develop solutions to current issues.

• Help to maintain a friendly and efficient environment within the plaster rooms to reassure patients’ and relatives and put them at ease.

• Order and maintain levels of stock e.g., stationery, dressings brace etc to ensure that the plaster rooms and clinics are stocked appropriately.

• To work in the clinic are where required, supporting medical staff, patients’ and their relatives within range of competency.

• Acknowledge own limitations and ensure competence prior to carrying out any tasks.

• Deliver holistic care to patients promoting equality, diversity and rights.

COMMUNICATION

• To communication clearly and respectfully with patients’ / family & carer, and to

document these in accordance with Trust policy and the patients right to confidentiality. Communication should be empathetic, tactful and courteous.

• To communicate clearly and professionally with all members of the MDT and work closely with all members of the team in relevant departments to ensure effective management of patients’ and joint up working.

• Demonstrate ability to reflect on own communication skills and modify behaviour and practice accordingly.

• Ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively and report any causes for concern to the appropriate manager.

• To effectively communicate complex and sensitive information.

• Educate and advise patients’ regarding their after-care, especially problems associated with casting.

• Ensure that verbal and written advice is provided for patients’ to help them manage injuries and casts for splints.

• Provide telephone advice to patients’ who call with concerns, and know when to seek assistance if unable to advise competently or book into a return appointment for visible assurance.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

• Maintain requirements for Plaster Technician as defined by the BOA.

• Develop own Knowledge and skills using evidence based practice, making effective use of learning opportunities.

• Ensure own compliance with mandatory training..

• Attend relevant study days, courses and other learning opportunities identified in personal development plan.

• To act as a role model and support professional development of all students and junior

Staff.

• Be aware of current advances in casting care and in conjunction with the team and instigate changes as appropriate.

ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prioritise workload and organise own work to meet the need of the organisation and patient, to reduce risk and enhance quality.

• Monitor and maintain health safety and security of self and others in compliance with organisational policy and procedure.

• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others.

• Understand own limitations of competence and levels of responsibility.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To adhere to trust policies and procedures relating to own workplace to contribute to service development.

• Have a professional attitude in approach and appearance.

• To recognise the importance of people’s rights and interpret them in a way that is consistent with trust procedures, policies and legislation

• To challenge behaviour that infringes the rights of others

• To identify and take action where necessary to address discrimination and oppression