My experience at the University has led me to realise my full potential and not underestimate what I am capable of achieving. The simulation dolls and operating theatres provide great experience of learning and practicing skills within a safe environment before going into practice.
Operating department practitioners (ODPs) are a vital part of the multidisciplinary operating theatre team, providing a high standard of patient-focused care during anaesthesia, surgery and recovery, responding to patients’ physical and psychological needs.
In addition to core clinical skills and a sound knowledge of specialist equipment and drugs, ODPs must have the ability to reassure and support patients emotionally through the stressful experience of surgery. Studying towards a qualification in Operating Department Practice (ODP), you can expect to work with qualified NHS staff, acquiring the skills essential for being part of a multidisciplinary operating theatre team and learning to support patients throughout surgical procedures.
Our ODP programmes are taught by experienced staff who are actively engaged in research activities, and who are closely involved with NHS colleagues in practice.
Our programmes are modular, with some theory aspects shared with Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Practice students. This exposes you to other health professionals, which is important in your preparation for multidisciplinary teamworking in the practice setting. We value the variety of experiences that you and the other students bring to the programme, and will enable you to build on these in order to develop skills of professional judgement, clinical and independent decision making. You will be taught how to become a competent operating department practitioner. Your programme will consist of three main areas: anaesthesia, surgery and post-anaesthetic care.
You will learn how to facilitate optimum conditions for anaesthesia, and how to maintain the vital functions and control the physiological responses of patients under anaesthesia in a range of specialities. You will learn to utilise skills of analysis and interpretation in the application of clinical practice, to enable safe anaesthesia and to maintain the physical and psychological wellbeing of individual patients.
You will learn a range of skills that are transferable across a spectrum of surgical specialities. You will learn to use interpretive skills, problem solving and clinical reasoning to plan, prioritise and implement the care needs of the individual patient in the intra-operative phase.
You will learn a range of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques to enable you to recognise and analyse normal and abnormal physiological parameters, and to interpret and respond to the patient’s condition in the recovery phase.
Successful completion of the Dip HE Operating Department Practice programme will make you eligible to apply for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
As an ODP student at the University of Surrey, you will be placed within an NHS Trust operating department in which you will experience a wide variety of care activities. Professional Training placements are available in Surrey, London and Sussex.
You will be prepared in advance of your placement to ensure that you are familiar with the role that you will perform. You are allocated to a single NHS Trust for your practice placements and will therefore benefit from consistent support from registered practitioners qualified to be student mentors. As you gain in confidence and experience, you will undertake more complex procedures.
A wide range of teaching and learning techniques will be utilised in order to enable you to achieve the knowledge, skills and competencies to fulfil the requirements for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. We know that students learn most effectively when a variety of teaching methods is used.
In the University setting, teaching methods include:
Within the practice environment, teaching methods include shadowing, role modelling, demonstration, observation, practice under supervision, reflective dialogue and discussion groups. You will be allocated a personal tutor to oversee your progress and they will be available for one-to-one appointments. You will also be a member of a personal tutor group, brought together for discussions, information sharing and advice.
We use a variety of methods to assess you throughout different points in the programme. You will be assessed on both your theoretical knowledge and practical skills. As well as written work, there are student presentations, examinations and case-study work.
In practice placements, you are required to build a portfolio of your experiences which demonstrates how you have met your own learning agreement, as well as the particular learning outcomes for the module. You are also required to show an understanding of and development towards the professional behaviour expected of a registered practitioner.
ODPs are a vital part of the clinical team and provide professional expertise during the patient’s stay in hospital. Although ODPs are primarily employed within operating theatres, they are increasingly being recognised for their skills in other environments and there are many career paths to explore.
Opportunities exist in transplant teams, intensive care units, obstetrics units, orthopaedic clinics, pre-assessment clinics, patient transfer, day surgery units and resuscitation teams. There are also opportunities for ODPs in education and management. For more information visit: www.codp.org.uk www.hpc-uk.org
If you are a registered practitioner looking for an undergraduate programme to further your learning, please visit our Continuing Professional Development page.
The programme starts in September and runs over two years and four months, with seven weeks’ holiday, usually at Christmas, Easter and during the summer.
Come to one of our Open Days, when you can tour the campus, speak to students and academic staff, see our student accommodation and ask as many questions as you like. In the meantime, order a personal prospectus – tailored to only include the subjects that interest you.
GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science at grade C or above (or equivalent). A relevant science A-level at Grade B is desirable.
Shortlisting
Admissions staff will review the information provided within the personal statement and reference to assess applications for evidence of academic ability, insight and motivation. Relevant experience in a care setting and/or evidence of other involvement in the community (for example school, voluntary or charity responsibilities) is normally required. Personal statements should be comprehensive, with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview and selection day.
Interview and selection day
Interviews are conducted jointly by University academics assisted by staff from clinical practice areas. As part of the selection process, candidates are required to complete literacy and numeracy exercises; satisfactory levels of achievement in these exercises is a requirement for entry to the programmes.
Admission to this programme is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) Section 4 (2) (Exemptions) Order 1975 and DHSS Circular HC (88)9 guidelines regarding police checks and child protection. Offers are conditional upon satisfactory health and fitness for practice screening, references, and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance, or equivalent. Candidates must also meet national requirements to work with vulnerable adults and children.
Admission is also subject to NHS eligibility for the programme. Further information on eligibility is available at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students. Proof of eligibility is normally required prior to interview.
Candidates should have the ability to follow a shift pattern covering 24 hours a day and seven days a week, and be able to meet travel requirements. Candidates are encouraged to gain practical work experience in a care setting prior to undertaking the programme. All places are subject to commissioned numbers. All applicants should be able to demonstrate evidence of study within the last five years.
The Department of Health requires all ODP students to be tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C during the induction week. Those testing positive would be subject to Department of Health guidelines for entry to the programme.
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 7.0 or above, with a minimum of 7.0 in each sub-skill (or equivalent).
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
| Award | Course Length | Professional Training | UCAS code | KIS code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DipHE | 2 years, 4 months | B990 | View KIS data set |
We offer a range of bursaries, scholarships and other financial support.
See course information for students applying to start in September 2013.
Phone: +44 (0)1483 681 681
