“I am an Orthopaedic Plaster Technician at York Hospital, based in the Fracture Clinic and Emergency Department.  I have worked for the Trust for nearly six years, having started out a healthcare assistant in clinic.

“I came into the NHS with the desire to become a nurse.  My university days were spent on design based study but that in the end did not fulfil my love of caring for people and making a difference.  I became a healthcare assistant in my mid 20’s with the aim to jump straight into gaining qualifications in healthcare.  Within my first three years I completed my Level 3 diploma and was on the lookout for other learning opportunities.  I am now a fully qualified plaster technician specialising in orthopaedics.

“There are only four other technicians at York and we treat all fractures, A&E, inpatients and paediatrics…so anyone who requires casting really!  Primarily we are there for the trips, slips and falls but we also provide a service for soft tissue injuries, podiatry and post-surgery splinting.

“What I love about my job are the people that I meet.  Some treatments take some time and this is a wonderful opportunity to create relationships.  I see patients when they are in pain and worried about how they are going to cope for the weeks ahead and I use my time to educate them and create a more positive outlook.  They leave the plaster room more comfortable and usually with a big smile.  The job is certainly not without its challenges - we often have to think on the spot and the work can be very heavy.

“The best piece of advice I can remember being told was ‘educate your patients’.  I live by this daily in a way that patients can interact and take some control of their care.  Knowing that I have helped people get back to their normal life after a trauma or improving someone’s quality of life is what I come to work for.”