We’re excited to meet you and we want you to feel comfortable and prepared as possible. This page will provide you with all in the information you need for your selection and experience day.
On arrival a member of the team will meet you and escort you to the room to begin your selection and experience day.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your session time to register.
Welcome
What to expect during your selection day
Our selection day is an opportunity to meet members of the inspirational Operating Department Practice lecturing team, current talented students and fellow applicants. It’s also a great opportunity to explore our specialist campus at Blackheath Lane in Stafford which is the home of our world-renowned Centre for Health Innovation.
Please be reassured that our approach to interviews is very informal, albeit important. The process will be a natural dialogue between you and the panel, led by specific questions. We essentially want to get to know you and discuss your ambitions, experience, understanding and the skills you have acquired.
What to expect during your interview
The focus of this part of the day is to ensure that you reflect the values of the University and the Operating Department Practice (ODP) profession.
The interview is an opportunity to tell us why you want to start your journey to becoming an ODP here with us at Staffordshire University. It is also time for you to show us what skills and experiences you have had previously that have shaped you into the person you are today as well as demonstrating why these skills will aid you on your path to becoming a registered ODP.
The interview will usually last approximately 20 minutes and will be led by an ODP from our lecturing team. The panel may also include a student ODP.
What to expect if your interview is being held on online
Prior to your selection day you will be sent an email detailing the date and time of your interview as well as an invitation to attend a welcome and subject talk on Microsoft Teams. The email will contain all the relevant information of how to join these virtual meetings as well as contact details in case you encounter any issues on the day.
Following your email, you will receive an invitation with your specific time slot for your individual interview that takes place after the welcome talks. Please ensure that you take note of this time.
The invite will have a “Click here to join the meeting” which is usually located near the bottom of the email, to join the meeting just click this link approximately 5-10 minutes prior to your allotted time in case you experience any technical issues, and your interview panel will then join you at the scheduled time.
The interview will usually last approximately 20 minutes and will be led by an Operating Department practitioner from our lecturing team. The panel may also include a student Operating Department Practitioner.
The links below are guides for joining via a PC/laptop or mobile. Although we would encourage you, where possible, to use a PC/Laptop to join the meetings.
The interview questions
We know that interviews can be a daunting event however good preparation is key to helping you show us why you would make an excellent ODP.
To ensure every candidate has the same opportunity to highlight their key achievements, skills, and experiences we are enclosing examples of our interview questions you may wish to consider:
Q.1 Why do you want to be an ODP?
Q.2 What have you done to prepare yourself to study ODP?
Q.3 What do you understand the role of the ODP to be?
Q.4 What do you think a patient and family expects from an ODP?
Q.5 What challenges do you think you will face and how will you manage these?
How to prepare
During your interview we will be looking to see:
- Your current understanding of the role of the ODP
- Who regulates ODP as well as our professional responsibilities
- What qualities should ODP's demonstrate
- What challenges you feel you may encounter and how you may overcome these
- How have you prepared yourself for studying at Staffordshire University
Here are some good ways to research the profession you want to join:
- Familiarise yourself with our regulating body, The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This is vital to show that you fully understand what is expected of you as an ODP student but also what is expected once you qualify.
- Think about reading some recognised professional journals or listening to the many podcasts available. You may also find it helpful to see what topical issues are voiced within the news and social media.
- Consider taking some additional courses. There are many free courses available to increase your academic skills as well as some that relate specifically to ODP. Digital skills can also be particularly helpful.
- Think about how you will manage your work life balance - being organised is the key. Studying ODP is a full-time course with not only your academic work to consider but also working on placement. This does equate to a full working week and many students need to balance this with their home lives. Consider what support you may need to enable this.