Operating department practioner



An Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) is a vital part of the operating theatre team, to provide a high standard of care to patients of all ages, at every stage of their operation.

The role of an ODP allows you to provide individualised and skilled care for patients at all stages of their operation – from when they arrive in the operating theatre department, to discharge from the recovery room. This means that if you enjoy the patient care side of things, but also want to be hands-on then this could be the perfect role for you.

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) work in three key areas; anaesthetics, surgery and recovery. In anaesthetics the role involved assisting the anaesthetic doctor during general and local anaesthetics.

In surgery the ODP will participate as part of the operative team, meeting a variety of patients from very small children to older adults and everything between and perform a number of roles, including the scrubbed role. In recovery the ODP will receive, assess and deliver patient care on the patient’s arrival into the recovery area. They will monitor the patients physiological parameters, providing appropriate interventions and treatment until the patient has recovered from the effects of the anaesthesia and/or surgery and is stable.

Entry requirements

You’ll need to study for a two year diploma or three year degree in operating department practice at university. You will usually need a minimum of five GCSEs at grades 4-9/A-C or equivalent plus A-level or equivalent qualifications. These will vary depending on the university so check with the universities you are considering applying to. Once you’ve completed your degree, you need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can start practising. The other option is to apply for an apprenticeship degree.

Interview help

The 6 values of the NHS

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-nhs/nhs-constitution

So what are the values? There are six values that all staff – everyone from porters, physiotherapists, nurses, paramedics and gardeners to secretaries, consultants, healthcare scientists and phlebotomists – are expected to demonstrate:

  • working together for patients. Patients come first in everything we do

  • respect and dignity. We value every person – whether patient, their families or carers, or staff – as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits

  • commitment to quality of care. We earn the trust placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics of quality of care – safety, effectiveness and patient experience right every time

  • compassion. We ensure that compassion is central to the care we provide and respond with humanity and kindness to each person’s pain, distress, anxiety or need

  • improving lives. We strive to improve health and wellbeing and people’s experiences of the NHS

  • everyone counts. We maximise our resources for the benefit of the whole community, and make sure nobody is excluded, discriminated against or left behind.


Interview Questions

Some questions could include:

  • Why do you want to be an ODP?

  • What do you know of the roles and responsibilities of an ODP?

  • What qualities do you need in this role, Think about how your talents and skills match the qualities needed. Read NHS England’s Compassion in Practice for guidance.

  • Also consider what you would want from an ODP.

  • Tell us about your work experience. What did you learn from it? Was it a daunting experience?

  • Why have you chosen to apply to this university; what do you know about our course; have you been to an Open Day?

  • What current issues in ODP are of concern to you?

  • What do you know about the Health and Care Professions Council.? (You must be aware of and uphold the HCPC's professional values and behaviours).


Interview HE examples:

https://aru.ac.uk/study/interview-information/operating-department-practice

https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/128864/operating-dept-practice-interview-information.pdf


Career path and progression

With experience, you may be able to progress to team leader or senior ODP and manage an operating theatre unit.

You could also move into education, training and research.

Some ODPs take further training approved by the Royal College of Surgeons to work as surgical care practitioners. This would give you the skills to complete some surgical procedures, under the supervision of a consultant surgeon.

career videos

Operating Department Practitioner - Is it for me?

The role of an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)

Working as an operating department practitioner

Meet Matt, an operating department practitioner

Operating Department Practice - Practical Room Tour

Studying Operating Department Practice (ODP) at Birmingham City University