Operating Department Practitioner (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship – Level 6 (accelerated route)

Operating department practitioners are registered healthcare professionals specialising in caring for people of all ages 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.

Operating department practitioners are responsible for ensuring their own professional knowledge and skills through continuous professional development (CPD) and supporting the development of others.

What will I achieve?

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will achieve:

BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice
Operating Department Practice Degree Apprenticeship Certificate

You may be eligible to become a registered ODP with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Location: Centre for Health Innovation Stafford
Duration: 2 years
Start date(s): September

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Course content

The programme is made up as follows:

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 evidence the following:

Achievement of Level 2 Maths and English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent) OR be demonstrating that you are functioning at Level 2 in both Maths and English, this would be determined by an initial assessment conducted by University of Staffordshire.
Achievement of a Nursing Associate or Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship.

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 on 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 you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your 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; and
revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties. You will also have full access to our support services such as Student Guidance.

Feedback

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

Responsibilities

The employer must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning
Ensure apprentices are given a minimum of 6 hours per week in 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 the apprentice must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours
Support the apprentice to gain new skills

A citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA**) or have the right of abode in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA 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 new job role (nine months or less), or in an existing job role, where significant new knowledge and skills are needed – employer statement of justification needed (relevant to the apprenticeship)
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 be enrolled on another apprenticeship 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 standard of quality and in compliance with the ESFAs 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 the selection of the endpoint assessor, if applicable. The endpoint assessment will be completed by the learning provider for all integrated degrees

Careers

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are registered healthcare professionals specialising in caring for people of all ages before, during & after surgery. ODPs therefore mainly work in operating departments. They work alongside other professionals (such as doctors and nurses) and take a lead role in ensuring a patient is safe during each stage of a patient’s journey through the operating theatre.

Enquire

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

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