Operating Department Practice

• Innovative curriculum design in which the requirements of professional practice are central to programme delivery. Course content is therefore delivered in the context of clinical practice.

• The extended clinical placement area covers North, Mid and East Staffordshire and Shropshire giving access to a wide range of surgical and anaesthetic specialities.

• Excellent working relationships have developed between the University and local NHS trusts that provides continuity in student support and development.

• University and clinical placement areas provide the opportunity to learn with and from a diverse range of professional groups such as in medicine, nursing, midwifery and radiography.

“I didn’t really know that the course existed, but after reading about the role I felt that this was the job for me. I liked the idea of having 3 different job roles (anaesthetics, surgery and recovery – lots of diversity) rather than just one.

I had researched the role of the ODP before starting the course and had a rough idea of what I would be doing. The programme to date has been amazing. I really enjoy my time in clinical placement and it is nice to meet up with fellow students from different hospitals at university.

When I started I didn’t have much confidence, but as I have progressed through the course my confidence has increased."
Stuart Whittaker, second year ODP student

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) participate in the assessment of the patient prior to surgery and provide high standards of care and skilled support alongside medical and nursing colleagues during the anaesthetic, surgical and recovery phases of the peri-operative period. The ODP’s role involves many clinical skills such as the preparation of a wide range of specialist equipment and drugs and the maintenance and restoration of the physiological status of the patient through all levels of dependency.

This two-year diploma programme, comprising full-time study and clinical practice, leads to eligibility to apply for professional registration with the Health Professions Council as an Operating Department Practitioner. The diploma offered at Staffordshire University's Blackheath Lane & Beaconside campuses which have extensive academic facilities. The university has close links with several NHS Trusts and Private Hospitals in Shropshire and Staffordshire.

The pre-registration ODP Award is delivered at Staffordshire University’s Blackheath Lane campus and Keele University’s Clinical Education Centre.

You will develop a range of academic skills and refine the ability to apply analytical thinking to a range of clinical situations. On qualification, you will be able to combine competency and critical thinking with caring and an awareness of the uniqueness of each client’s individualised needs.

You will study full-time over a 2 year period which will incorporate a mix of university-based and practice-based studies. Each extended academic year runs over 52 weeks to allow students to achieve a minimum of 3000 hours study, which is professional requirement of the award. Blocks of university study allow you to develop insights into the theoretical perspectives of operating department practice.

Areas of study include:

     Preparation of the operating department and equipment used in anaesthesia 
     and surgery;
     Health & safety and infection control;
     Planning, implementing and evaluating perioperative care;
     Psychosocial aspects of health;
     Biological sciences;
     Legal & ethical perspectives;
     Pain management;
     Pharmacology and drug administration;
     Managing clinical emergencies.

You will undertake formal assessment as you progress through the Award. Assessment methods are varied, comprising written assignments, seminar presentations, written examinations and viva voce assessment.

University study is supported by block placement in clinical practice areas where you will undertake practical assessments in a range of settings which include ear, nose & throat, obstetrics, orthopaedics and abdominal surgery. Placement activities will be supervised by a work-based Mentor, who will support your development and oversee practical assessments. Over the 2 year duration of the Award, 54% of your time will be allocated to clinical practice.

 
Hospitals providing practice placements in support of this award are: 

     Mid-Staffordshire General Hospital, Stafford
     North Staffordshire Nuffield Hospital
     Princess Royal Hospital, Telford
     Queen’s Hospital, Burton-on-Trent
     Rowley Hall Hospital, Stafford
     Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry
     Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Shrewsbury
     University Hospital North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent

7 weeks holiday each year is built into the programme, typically at Christmas, Easter and during the summer.

Operating Department Practitioners play an essential role in the delivery of services in the operating department and as such employment opportunities exist across the country. Once qualified, you may progress your career to a senior level and may rise in the theatre practitioner grades, depending on the career structure of the individual National Health Service Trust.

There are also prospects of career advancement in management and teaching or specialised practice, for example, in resuscitation, intensive care or accident and emergency environments.

• Biomedical Sciences

For more information about Operating Department Practice (B902) please contact: