Operating Department Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship – Level 6 (progression route)

Operating department practitioners are registered healthcare professionals specialising in caring for people before, during and after surgery.

Operating department practitioners, therefore, mainly work in operating departments. They work alongside other professionals, such as doctors and nurses, and take a lead role in ensuring the service user is safe during each stage of the journey through the operating theatre.

They must continually make professional decisions to ensure the service user receives the best care.

Operating department practitioners also ensure that the operating theatre environment is safe and effective and, therefore, have expertise in the management of specialist equipment and materials in a highly technical environment; for example, handling surgical instruments, checking anaesthetic equipment, moving individuals, and giving medication.

They must be confident, compassionate, competent and make effective judgements, for which they are accountable. They must use evidence-based practice to inform and evaluate the effectiveness of their actions with the aim of continually improving outcomes for service users.

Who is it for?

Individuals supporting working in theatres and surgical wards which could be in NHS trusts or private hospitals who already hold a level 5 qualification. Specific job roles may include Nurse Associate; Assistant Practitioner; Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner; Theatre Support Worker; Student ODP.

Location: Centre for Health Innovation Stafford
Duration: 2 years including a 1-month Apprenticeship Assessment
Start date(s): September

Enquire now

Course content

This progression route is a shortened programme for individuals who already hold a level 5 qualification such as Assistant Practitioner or Nursing Associate. The programme will prepare individuals with the required knowledge and skills to support patients before, during, and after surgery. It focuses on delivering specialised care in operating theatres, including preparing equipment, assisting with anaesthesia, and ensuring patient safety throughout procedures.

Apprentices will learn a mix of clinical skills, anatomy, pharmacology, and patient care, progressing from basic skills in year one to more advanced practices, research, and leadership by the final year. The programme also uses realistic simulation facilities, including mock operating theatres and emergency scenarios, to help students practise responding to critical situations.

It is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), meaning graduates can register as qualified practitioners after completing the degree.

What qualification will be achieved?

BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice
Operating Department Practice Degree Apprenticeship Certificate
Eligible to register as an ODP with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Modules

Year 1:

Clinical Practice, Wellbeing and Simulation Part 2
Holistic Care across the Lifespan
Introduction to Research Methods
Post-Anaesthetic Care and Advanced Pharmacology

Year 2:

Clinical Practice, Wellbeing and Simulation Part 3
Enhanced Operating Department Practice and Emergency Care
Leadership and Service Development
Research in Practice
Transition to an Autonomous Practitioner

Entry requirements

To be eligible, apprentices will need to provide evidence of the following:

Achievement of Level 2 Maths and English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent) OR demonstrate ability at Level 2 in both Maths and English, this would be determined by an initial assessment conducted by University of Staffordshire.
Relevant Level 5 qualification such as FdSc Nurse Associate or FdSc Assistant Practitioner
Completed placement hours

Fees

For levy-paying organisations the cost is paid from their digital account at a rate of £20,625.

For non-levy paying organisations there may be a financial contribution of 5% which equates to £1,031.25.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

This programme is delivered using a blended learning model including face-to-face sessions on campus, complimented by online webinars.

Assessment

Throughout the apprenticeship a variety of assessment methods could be used, these include:

Written assignments
Examinations
Reflective activities
Group assessments
Presentations
Professional discussions
Academic assignments
Critical analysis

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support provided by the course teaching team, our central Academic Skills Team provide resources, group and one-to-one help to support learning in a number of areas. These include:

study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy)
academic writing (including how to reference)
research skills
critical thinking and understanding arguments
revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

The Student Life Team offer support, advice and guidance to apprentices with inclusion requirements. The team can arrange reasonable adjustments to support with learning needs, long term health condition, mental health condition or disabilities

Feedback

Progress feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, written feedback will be made available to all apprentices who take written examinations or assessments.

Responsibilities

Employers must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning.
Ensure apprentices spend at least 6 hours per week of their time on off-the-job training.
Enter into a contract with University of Staffordshire.
Participate in reviews with the apprentice and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones.
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice.
Provide apprentices with a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning.
Provide the apprentice with paid time to attend off-the-job training, including additional support for English and Maths, or support accessed for learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
Recognise that apprentices must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours.
Support the apprentice to gain new skills.

If they are a citizen of the UK or a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area with Pre-settled or Settled status, they must have been an ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
If they are a non UK national or EEA National without pre-settled or settled status, they must hold a visa (not for educational purposes) for the full duration of the apprenticeship at the start of the programme and been an ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
Able to complete the apprenticeship in contracted working hours.
Be an employee (have a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship) on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning.
Be in a job role relevant for the apprenticeship where significant new knowledge and skills are required.
Be in full-time employment for typically 30 hours a week.
Has the right to work in England.
Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs.
Not enrolled on another apprenticeship or accessing other government funding at the same time.
Participate in reviews with the employer and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones.

Administer the funding and running of the Apprenticeship Standard to an acceptable level of quality and in compliance with the DfE’s requirements.
Agree jointly between the University, the Employer and Apprentice, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) ensuring that satisfactory progress is achieved and to ensure that the contents of the ILP fulfil the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard.
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment, which meets the needs of the Apprentice.
Provide off-the-job learning and assessment and oversee the on-the-job skills development as detailed in the ILP.
Provide support on selection of the apprenticeship assessor, if applicable. The apprenticeship assessment will be completed by University of Staffordshire for all integrated degrees.

Careers

Upon completion of this apprenticeship, apprentices will be qualified ODPs and can continue to work in their workplace. They may wish to seek out further development opportunities such as specialisms or further postgraduate study.

Apprentices will also have access to career support, our dedicated careers team can support with professional branding, career mapping and accessing potential.

Facilities

Operating Department Equipment

You'll practice a range of patient care scenarios from basic vital signs monitoring to responding to emergency situations such as cardiac arrest.

Immersive Suites

Our immersive suites can simulate almost any environment from hospital to office and house to roadside. The suite allows 360 projection with realistic sounds from that environment.

Watch video

Enquire

To join a higher degree apprenticeship programme or recruit an apprentice for your business, enquire with us today.

Enquire now