Operating Department Practitioner
What is the work like?
As an operating department practitioner (ODP) you would support operating theatre staff and provide care to patients, before, during and after surgery. Your duties would often include:
- preparing the operating theatre and equipment, such as drips, instruments, dressings and swabs
- making sure specialist equipment is available for specific procedures
- monitoring theatre cleanliness
- ordering and rotating single or multiple use items of stock and drugs
- providing the surgical team with the items they need during an operation (often called 'circulating duties')
- monitoring machinery
- keeping accurate records.
Your work may also involve assessing patients before allowing them to join a surgical ward and reviewing the care they have received at each stage. You are likely to have a coaching and mentoring role when you are based in a department with trainee ODPs, and in some NHS Trusts you may be involved in training other healthcare professionals, such as trainee paramedics.
You would normally work within an anaesthetic, surgical or recovery team, however, you could also work areas such as accident and emergency, intensive care, day surgery clinics, maternity units and resuscitation teams.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will need a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) in Operating Department Practice (approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC)) before you can work as an ODP. You must also be accepted on to the state register and be a member of the College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP).
The HPC and CODP websites include details of approved courses, which are available on a two year full-time basis or part-time for up to seven years.
To get onto the diploma you will usually need five GCSEs (A-C) preferably in English, maths and/or a science-based subject. You may also need one or two A levels. Check with course providers for exact entry requirements because alternative qualifications, such as an Access to Higher Education course, may also be accepted.
On the diploma, you would study areas such as anatomy, anaesthetics, surgery, pharmacology, microbiology and infection control. You will spend around 60% of the course on clinical work placements in operating theatres, accident and emergency departments, and intensive care units.
You may be able to apply for NHS funding for an approved course. Where this is available, your tuition fees will be met in full and you will receive a non-means tested bursary to help towards living expenses. For details, check with individual universities and the NHS Student Grants Unit.
What further training and development can I do?
You can continue to study to achieve a degree, though this is not essential in order to practice as an ODP.
Throughout your career you will be expected to keep your skills up to date and you may be encouraged to work towards additional qualifications as part of your continuing professional development (CDP). You can access opportunities for CDP through the College of Operating Department Practitioners.
Where can I go for more information?
Tel: 08000 150850Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Tel: 020 7582 0866
London
EC1V 1JN
Tel: 0870 746 0984
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries for ODPs can be between £17,000 and £21,000 a year.
- With experience this can rise to around £32,500.
Additional cost of living allowances may be paid to those working in certain geographical locations.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work 37.5 hours a week on a shift system covering evenings, nights and weekends. Overtime and on-call duty is also common in order to deal with emergencies. Part-time work may be possible.
You would mainly work in sterile conditions in pre-operative anaesthetic areas, operating theatres and recovery rooms. These areas are clean and light but can be hot. You would wear surgical clothing and a mask.
Working in the theatre can be emotionally and physically demanding, and involve standing for long periods.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good practical skills
- the ability to work in a busy specialist team
- a reliable, friendly and reassuring manner
- good organisational skills
- the ability to learn quickly, act calmly and maintain concentration
- a flexible approach to work
- effective communication skills
- the ability to motivate, train, coach and mentor other health professionals and trainees
- an understanding of issues surrounding patient confidentiality
- awareness of health and safety issues, particularly infection control.
What opportunities are there?
You will find most jobs within the NHS, as well as private hospitals around the UK. You could also work as an ODP within the armed forces.
With experience, you may be able to progress to team leader or senior ODP and take responsibility for managing an operating theatre unit. You could also move into education, training and research, or specialise in an area such as special care for babies or organ transplantation.
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