BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice - Full-time

Operating department practice is an exciting, fast-changing field with opportunities to work across different surgical and anaesthesia specialities. Our highly practical course is designed to develop clinical knowledge, skills and behaviours for working in operating theatres and wider perioperative settings.

After graduation, and once you have registered as an operating department practitioner (ODP) with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), you’ll be expected to take responsibility for a patient’s welfare and personalise their care activities. You’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary team that is made up of professionals from a variety of clinical disciplines. You may find work in any of the three phases of perioperative care – anaesthesia, surgery or recovery – or in a role that combines all these areas.

As a graduate, you’ll possess in-depth knowledge in areas such as human anatomy and physiology, psychology, medicine management, and legal and ethical issues, as well as skills in surgical and anaesthetic procedures, teamwork and interpersonal communication. You’ll be adept at forward planning and time management, and have a clear understanding and appreciation of the role of other healthcare professionals.

This programme is not a direct route to nursing or medical programmes. It is designed to prepare you for a specialised role working in the operating department setting.

There’s currently a national shortage of ODPs so job prospects for graduates who are registered with the HCPC are excellent.

As a registered ODP, you can expect to gain employment with the NHS, an organisation that provides NHS services, or a private healthcare provider. ODPs are primarily employed in operating theatres, but increasingly work in other healthcare environments. For instance, you may find opportunities in intensive care units, transplant teams, pre-assessment clinics, obstetric units, resuscitation teams, orthopaedic clinics, patient transfer and day surgery units.

You’ll be able to consider further training and development in a number of areas, such as management, education, clinical research and advanced practice. Experienced ODPs can take further training approved by the Royal College of Surgeons to work as surgical care practitioners. This would qualify you to complete certain surgical procedures under the supervision of a consultant surgeon.
Alternative Career Options
Public health
Management
Armed forces
HE teaching
Clinical research
Universities

Your Level 3 subjects must include a science subject; for instance, A-level Biology or BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science. Examples of science subjects include healthcare, human biology, biology, physics, chemistry, psychology, mathematics and social science. Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking will not be counted towards the UCAS point requirement.

You must also have at least five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) including English Language, Mathematics and a science. Please contact us for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents.

The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP).

On successful completion of the programme, you may submit an application to the HCPC to join the register for operating department practitioners (ODPs).

Whilst studying this course you're not currently required to register as a member with the HCPC. However, you must follow their standards of proficiency and standards of conduct, performance and ethics. You’ll be required to sign a declaration of on-going fitness to practise at regular intervals during your studies.

After qualifying as an ODP, you’ll need to be committed to learning and always keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date. To maintain your registration to practice with the HCPC, you’ll need to continue to meet their standards of proficiency, and conduct, performance and ethics standards.

Key Features:
The programme offers you opportunities to develop the academic knowledge, clinical skills, and personal and professional behaviours required to meet the Standards of Proficiency as required by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (2016), and enables you to apply for registration with the HCPC.
As a registered ODP, you’ll be able to work in a variety of hospital environments, including operating theatres, pre-admissions wards, and diagnostic and procedural units, such as endoscopy and cardiac catheter labs.
The course offers you strong knowledge and skills in patient-centred care and managing the preparation of the surgical environment, drugs, and equipment, such as surgical instruments, endoscopes and anaesthetic machines.
We’ll focus on building your competencies so you are ready to anticipate and respond to the requirements of the surgical team, and act as the link between this team and other parts of the operating theatre and hospital.
We’ll support you as you develop skills and knowledge of clinical practice, including your awareness of patient safety, human factors, and legal, ethical and professional boundaries.