Operating Department Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship

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 emerge