26UHWS2004 Plaster Technician, Trainee

University Hospital Waterford•Waterford, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Plaster Technician (Regional Trauma Services) role involves a range of clinical, administrative, and training responsibilities focused on providing casting and limb immobilization services. This includes applying and removing various types of casts in different settings such as the Emergency Department, General Theatre, Orthopaedic Ward, and Clinics. The technician will also be responsible for patient and staff education on cast care and crutch usage, maintaining plaster room operations, managing stock and equipment, and keeping accurate records and statistics. Additionally, the role involves supervising and training staff, delivering lectures to student nurses, and ensuring compliance with health and safety, infection control, and sustainability initiatives.

Requirements

Have good communication skills.
Demonstrate awareness of Health & Safety at Work.
Be able to recognise and rectify situations that may be detrimental to health and wellbeing of patients and colleagues.
Comply with Health & Safety policies.
Maintain a safe work environment.
Attend mandatory Health & Safety Training.
Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role.
Comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives.
Maintain high hygiene standards within the plaster room.
Comply with IPC and Hand Hygiene standards.
Ensure all waste and sharps are disposed of as appropriate in accordance with hospital policy.
Apply all varieties of cast including back slab and full slab for all types of fractures.
Apply hip spica casts, cast bracing and other casts as requested by consultants.
Apply Post operative casting and all general casting and limb immobilisation (Full Bed Traction).
Remove and reapply all types of casts including Jacket and Body Casts.
Provide advice in cast care to staff and patients.
Fit crutches and provide general guidance and safety advice in use of same.
Ensure application of casts is in line with best practice standards.
Provide education sessions for relevant staff in casting techniques.
Provide training for new plaster room personnel in casting techniques and other duties with a view to trainees completing the British Orthopaedic course.
Be responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the Plaster Room.
Ensure stock levels in the clinical areas are maintained and that all resources are used effectively and efficiently.
Be responsible in ensuring that equipment is well maintained and to report any defects to the Technical Services Department.
Maintain a daily record book including patient details and cast applied.
Provide statistics on a monthly basis of all casts applied and removed.

Nice To Haves

Trainees completing the British Orthopaedic course.

Responsibilities

Apply all varieties of cast including back slab and full slab for all types of fractures in Emergency Department.
Apply hip spica casts, cast bracing and other casts as requested by consultants.
Perform post operative casting and all general casting and limb immobilisation (Full Bed Traction).
Remove and reapply all types of casts plus Jacket and Body Casts in Orthopaedic Clinics.
Provide advice in cast care to staff and clients.
Fit crutches and provide general guidance and safety in their use.
Ensure work is carried out to the highest possible standards.
Liaise and co-operate with other members of staff to provide the best possible service to patients and clients.
Be responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the Plaster Room.
Ensure stock levels in clinical areas are maintained and resources are used effectively and efficiently.
Ensure equipment is well maintained and report any defects to the Technical Services Department.
Maintain a daily record book of patient details and casts applied.
Provide monthly statistics on all casts applied and removed.
Be aware of possible future developments within the speciality and update skills regularly.
Supervise staff and/or work within the department.
Co-ordinate and assign staff and workload where applicable.
Deliver lectures to student nurses in casting techniques.
Provide training sessions for Doctors & Nurses in ED and Orthopaedic departments.
Train new plaster room personnel in casting techniques and other duties with a view to trainees completing the British Orthopaedic course.
Demonstrate awareness of Health & Safety at Work and be able to recognise and rectify situations detrimental to health and wellbeing.
Comply with Health & Safety policies and maintain a safe work environment.
Attend mandatory Health & Safety Training.
Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards and comply with associated HSE protocols.
Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives.
Maintain high hygiene standards within the plaster room.
Comply with IPC and Hand Hygiene standards.
Ensure all waste and sharps are disposed of appropriately in accordance with hospital policy.
Ensure the application of casts is in line with best practice standards.