Course overview

The Operating Department Practice course has been designed to enable students to become confident and capable, and fit for award, practice and purpose. Our course is also designed to reflect current developments in operating department practice to support this. Many of the learning and teaching sessions are facilitated by practising professionals, allowing the student to benefit from their experience and clinical expertise.

A fundamental requirement of this course is that your knowledge and understanding be firmly grounded in practice. You will have the opportunity to hone your own clinical skills within a safe, controlled environment. To maximise your exposure to the required clinical specialities, you will also follow a two-year clinical placement schedule.

The course will equip students with the knowledge, competence and attitude to meet the changing needs of the people they serve as part of the multidisciplinary theatre team responsible for patient welfare in the perioperative environment but also to work as a registered practitioner, as set by the registering body the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

This is a fast-changing field, one that requires its practitioners to remain up-to-date with new developments. On successful completion of the course you will be able to:

• Analyse and evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the patient's journey through the perioperative care environment
• Demonstrate the principles of holistic care through the achievement of competencies against a range of defined skills
• Understand how research and reflection may be used to both create and interpret knowledge
• Practice competently safely and within the boundaries of legal, ethical and professional frameworks
• Integrate the necessary knowledge, values, and skills required to undertake the role of the Operating Department Practitioner
• Engage with continuing professional practice.

Module guide

Assessment

Assessment is via a mix of assignments, examination, presentations, research critique, critical-incident analysis, case studies, literature reviews, and specialised practice competencies.

Special features

Placements in Essex include Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals, Broomfield Hospital, Oaks Hospital (Colchester), The Princess Alexandra Hospital (Harlow), Southend University Hospital, Spire Hartswood Hospital (Brentwood) and Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital.

Placements in Cambridgeshire will take place at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hinchingbrooke and Papworth Hospital, Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital, Peterborough City Hospitals and Nuffield Health Cambridge Hospital. Please note that for students studying in Cambridgeshire, practice placements can be undertaken at Cambridge and Peterborough (FHSCE), but all theory will be taught at Fulbourn.

Currently students placed in the London area are based at Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Hospital; The Whittingham NHS Hospital; University College London Hospital, North Middlesex Hospital and Newham NHS Hospital.

Links with industry and professional recognition

Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Operating Department Practitioner (RODP) with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Associated careers

Career opportunities for qualified ODPs are diverse and can include practice in:

• Anaesthesia
• Recovery
• Management
• Education
• Sterile supplies
• Transplant teams
• Intensive care units
• A&E
• Helicopter emergency services
• Patient transfers
• Opportunities for working abroad

UCAS Tariff points:	160
Additional Requirements:	Non-Academic Conditions: CRB Checks required, Interviews, NHS Bursary eligibility required, Occupational Health clearance required GCSE(s) Required: GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above or equivalent

Entry requirements listed are for September 2013 entry. Entry requirements for other intakes may differ.

Please note all tariff points must come from A levels. Points from AS levels cannot be counted towards the total tariff points required for entry to this course.

Other acceptable qualifications

• 14-19 Diploma in a Health & Social Care or Science related subject with 160 UCAS points.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma (science or health based preferred) available from colleges of further education. Please ensure that Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy are included if you do not have GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above or equivalent. This will cover all the entry requirements, provided the full course is successfully passed.
• NVQ Level 3 in Care
• Advanced GNVQ in a health and social care or science related subject with pass grade.
• OU Credits will also be accepted in lieu of A Levels (90 credits would be expected in health or science subjects).
• National Literacy and numeracy tests at Level 2 or 3 will be accepted in lieu of GCSE Maths and English.

From the above information we will calculate requirements for Scottish/Irish Highers, International, European and Welsh Baccalaureate equivalents so that they are all equitable. We will also accept tariff points from other qualifications on the UCAS tariff such as the Cambridge Pre-U (subject requirements will be assumed to be the same as for A Level).

All applicants must have GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above or equivalent. Applications from applicants without 160 UCAS tariff points will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All applicants are expected to be able to clearly demonstrate their understanding of the role of an ODP, what they can bring to the role and how they have researched the profession.

Applying

All applications must go via UCAS. Due to the fact that the programme is always highly over subscribed we only accept applications between September and 15 January for the following intake year. Late applications will not be considered. It is recommended that you apply as soon early as possible in the application cycle.

International applicants

This course is not available to international applicants because of restrictions in the availability of placements in the NHS (UK National Health Service).