Health Sciences

Certificate in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine

The Certificate in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine is a two-year programme offered by the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) at selected campuses across Kenya. It equips students with skills in musculoskeletal injury management, plaster techniques, fracture care, and emergency trauma care. The programme is accredited by the relevant health regulatory bodies under the Ministry of Health.

Year 1 covers anatomy and physiology, orthopaedic nursing, trauma management, plaster techniques, patient assessment, and communication skills. Students learn the foundational principles of musculoskeletal anatomy, fracture classification, and basic plaster application techniques.

Year 2 advances to advanced plaster techniques, orthopaedic rehabilitation, emergency trauma care, orthopaedic instruments and equipment, and a clinical practicum. Students gain practical experience through clinical attachments in hospital orthopaedic departments and trauma centres.

The programme combines theory with extensive clinical practice. Students learn to apply and remove casts, assist in fracture reduction, manage orthopaedic patients, and provide emergency trauma care under supervision. Clinical rotations through orthopaedic wards and plaster rooms are integral to the training.

Entry requirements are a KCSE mean grade of C- (minus), with C- in English or Kiswahili, D+ in Biology or Biological Sciences, and D+ in any one of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Woodwork, Metal Work, Technical Drawing, Home Science, Agriculture, or Computer Studies. The programme is available at selected KMTC campuses including Garissa, Mbooni, Sigowet, Kaptumo, and others.

Graduates are eligible for upgrading to a Diploma in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine at KMTC and pursue careers as orthopaedic plaster technicians, trauma care assistants, and orthopaedic assistants in hospitals, trauma centres, and rehabilitation clinics. The programme plays a critical role in Kenya's trauma care system, particularly in rural areas where orthopaedic specialists are limited.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 122,200
Private, up to: Ksh 135,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Anatomy and Physiology
Orthopaedic Nursing
Trauma Management
Plaster Techniques
Fracture Care
Orthopaedic Instruments and Equipment
Emergency Trauma Care
Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
Patient Assessment
Communication Skills

Modules

10 in the programme

Anatomy and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Structure and function of the human body with emphasis on the musculoskeletal system.
Orthopaedic Nursing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Nursing care principles for orthopaedic patients including pain management and mobility support.
Trauma Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of trauma assessment, emergency management, and trauma care protocols.
Plaster Techniques I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Basic plaster application techniques including cast preparation, application, and removal.
Patient Assessment
Year 1Semester 22 creditsCore
Clinical assessment of orthopaedic patients including history taking and physical examination.
Advanced Plaster Techniques
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced casting techniques including traction, splinting, and specialised casts.
Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Rehabilitation principles for orthopaedic patients including exercises and mobility training.
Emergency Trauma Care
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Emergency management of trauma patients including airway management, haemorrhage control, and shock management.
Orthopaedic Instruments and Equipment
Year 2Semester 22 creditsCore
Identification, handling, and maintenance of orthopaedic instruments and equipment.
Clinical Practicum
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Supervised clinical attachment in orthopaedic departments and plaster rooms applying learned competencies.

Specialisations

Plaster Technology
Focus on advanced casting techniques and traction management.
Emergency Trauma Care
Specialisation in emergency management of trauma patients.
Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
Focus on post-injury rehabilitation and mobility restoration.
Paediatric Orthopaedics
Specialisation in orthopaedic care for children, available at diploma and higher diploma levels.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on anatomy or fracture management with afternoon clinical sessions in the plaster room and orthopaedic ward, where students practise cast application, patient positioning, and trauma care under supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for orthopaedic technicians, especially in rural hospitals.
KMTC is the premier training institution with national recognition.
Clear upgrading pathway to Diploma in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine.

Against it

Physically demanding work involving lifting and positioning patients.
Exposure to traumatic injuries may be emotionally challenging.
Entry-level salaries may be modest compared to diploma holders.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public118k to 122k

118k at Kenya Medical Training College (Year 2)122k at Kenya Medical Training College (Year 1)

Private75k to 135k

75k at Goshen Medical and Technical College135k at North Coast Medical Training College

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KMTC self-spon 122K Y1/118K Y2. Goshen 75K, NCMTC 135K/yr (kmtc.ac.ke, goshencollege.ac.ke, victormatara.com).

Government-sponsored students placed through KUCCPS receive subsidised fees. HELB loans are available for eligible students.

Funding options

HELB Loan
KUCCPS Government Placement

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at KMTC.
KUCCPS Government Subsidy
SubsidyKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students placed by KUCCPS receive subsidised tuition fees at KMTC.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Equivalent qualification as determined by KMTC and the Ministry of Health.

English or Kiswahili
C-
Biology or Biological Sciences
D+
Mathematics or Physics or Chemistry or Woodwork or Metal Work or Technical Drawing or equivalent
D+

How you are assessed

3 components

End of Semester Examinations
Written examination60% of the mark
Module examinations covering anatomy, trauma management, and orthopaedic principles.
Practical/Clinical Assessments
Practical assessment30% of the mark
Clinical assessments in plaster rooms and orthopaedic wards evaluating practical competencies.
Clinical Practicum
Practical assessment10% of the mark
Supervised clinical attachment in orthopaedic departments.

Accreditation

Accredited by KMTC under the Ministry of Health. Graduates are recognised as orthopaedic plaster technicians and are eligible for upgrading to a Diploma in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine.

Accredited by

Kenya Medical Training College
AcademicRequired
KMTC is the primary accredited institution under the Ministry of Health.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Orthopaedic Plaster Technician
High demandKsh 360,000 to Ksh 540,000
Applies and manages casts, splints, and traction for orthopaedic patients in hospitals.
Trauma Care Assistant
High demandKsh 360,000 to Ksh 540,000
Assists in emergency trauma care including patient assessment and stabilisation.
Orthopaedic Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 360,000 to Ksh 540,000
Supports orthopaedic specialists in fracture management and patient care.
Rehabilitation Assistant (Orthopaedic)
Moderate demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 480,000
Assists in orthopaedic rehabilitation including exercises and mobility training.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates are in high demand as orthopaedic plaster technicians and trauma care assistants in hospitals and trauma centres across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Plaster of Paris and Casting Materials
EquipmentPrimary
Traction Equipment
Equipment
Orthopaedic Instruments
Equipment

Certifications

KMTC Certificate in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Orthopaedic plaster technology is just putting on casts.
The programme covers comprehensive trauma management, fracture care, patient assessment, and rehabilitation, not just plaster application.
Orthopaedic technicians cannot progress beyond certificate level.
Graduates can upgrade to a Diploma in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine at KMTC, and subsequently to higher qualifications.
There are no jobs for orthopaedic technicians.
There is high demand for orthopaedic plaster technicians in hospitals, especially in rural areas where orthopaedic specialists are limited.
Orthopaedic trauma medicine is only for sports injuries.
The programme covers all types of musculoskeletal trauma including road accidents, falls, and occupational injuries, which are common in Kenya.