Overview
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are an important part of the operating department team working with anaesthetists, surgeons, theatre nurses and other health care professionals to help ensure every operation is as safe and effective as possible. As an ODP, you will be integral to the planning, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of clinical practice. You will gain knowledge of peri-operative practice techniques in anaesthetics, surgical and post-operative practice, which offers numerous employment opportunities. Excellent leadership, management and communication skills are also vital when working in the perioperative environment – apprentices will develop these throughout their studies.
Taught primarily online by the School of Health Sciences, our three-year course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and prepares you for eligibility to apply for registration as an ODP. Only those who have completed a recognised program of study and registered with the HCPC may work in the NHS as an ODP. This course will give you the skills and knowledge to become a competent, highly sought-after ODP, able to provide high standards of patient care and skilled support, alongside medical and nursing colleagues during peri-operative care.
You will have a caring and compassionate nature and a thoughtful and conscientious approach, however the ODP role also requires practitioners to be able to assess and respond in a timely manner to a range of urgent and emergency scenarios. Apprentices must be aware of their own needs and those of others in the perioperative team, making use of critical thinking skills and effective communication techniques.
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Why do an Apprenticeship?
Apprentices, as employees, undertake off the job development via theoretical learning and supernumerary placements similar to undergraduate students but have no university fees to pay. You will have support in practice and from the university throughout your development.
Apprentices on this program will be employed on a full-time contract of which the apprenticeship aspect will comprise 30 hours per week (in line with the apprenticeship funding regulations), Apprentices will spend 30% of their time in off the job training - 30% of 30 hours = 9 hours. These 9 hours will be for the theory time and the remaining 21 hours the clinical learning time per week.
The programme comprises 120 credits at Level 4, 120 credits at Level 5 and 120 credits at Level 6. Equal emphasis is placed on theory and practice.
Successful completion of all the required theory and practice elements (includes all On-the-Job and Off-the-Job learning), including the integrated End-point Assessment will culminate in the completion of the apprenticeship, resulting in an award of a BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Degree Apprenticeship
The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice is a professional qualification and the apprentice who has attained this qualification is eligible to apply to the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) for entry to the Register.
Course Details
Below are the modules that you will study during your apprenticeship:
Year 1
Modules:
- Foundations of Health and Life Sciences - 40 credits
- Foundations of Professional Practice - 20 credits
- Foundations of Operating Department Practice - 60 credits
Year 2
Modules:
- Developing Health and Life Sciences - 40 credits
- Developing Evidence Based Practice - 20 credits
- Developing Operating Department Practice - 60 credits
Year 3
Modules:
- Applying Health and Life Sciences - 30 credits
- Applying Evidence Based Practice - 30 credits
- Enhanced Operating Department Practice - 60 credits
The apprenticeship is organised over three years, each year has two blocks of 18 weeks during which clinical and theory learning will take place. Additional self-directed learning will take place during some of the remaining weeks, ensuring compliance with funding regulations. The remaining weeks are scheduled as an NHS employer weeks: on-the-job learning.
The programme’s structure and sequencing integrate theory and practice at increasing levels of complexity thus enabling apprentices to manage their theory and practice learning experiences effectively. All synchronous learning will be timetabled.
During a typical year, the apprentices 30% off the job training will be completed by engaging with two blocks of 18 weeks studying theory to underpin clinical practice and some independent learning. The 70% on the job training will be completed in the workplace undertaking projects which will support development against the Apprenticeship Standards and the programme learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
This apprenticeship will follow a blended online delivery model over the three years. During the body of the learning year, a variety of expert staff will represent the university in providing support. Each year there will be a residential skills/simulation week which may include summative assessments.
Entry Requirements
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GCSE English at Grade C/Level 4 or above, or Functional Skills Level 2, or any qualification that is listed on the ESFA approved equivalent qualification list.
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GCSE Math at Grade C/Level 4 or above, or Functional Skills Level 2, or any qualification that is listed on the ESFA approved equivalent qualification list.
AND
At least two A levels OR equivalent BTEC Level 3 National qualifications OR Level 3 or 4 Healthcare Science apprenticeship OR an Access to HE course from a relevant QAA-recognised programme. Work experience will be taken into consideration in lieu of Level 3 academic qualifications.
AND
You will be required to have an enhanced Disclose and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.
Occupational Health clearance including exposure prone procedures (EPPs)
If you studied English as a 2nd language overseas please email apprenticeships@uea.ac.uk for advice.
Recruitment is undertaken jointly by UEA and the candidate’s employer - direct applications are not accepted.
Further Information/For Businesses
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) - Applicants may be required to submit an APL portfolio. An APL workshop is offered to applicants offered a place to ensure that there is sufficient evidence to join the programme as part of their initial needs assessment.
How do I apply?
The process is employer-led. This means that the opportunity to apply is advertised by employers and not via the university nor via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Employers will either advertise internally to candidates who already work for them, or externally to new candidates via the NHS Jobs website and once the programme is advertised, applicants will be required to complete an initial Expression of Interest form (EOI). Initial employer shortlisting will be based on the EOI and shortlisted candidates will then be asked to formally apply to the University.
For more information about working together or supporting an employee via an apprenticeship please visit: