I am a
Artboard 1 copy 9

Operating department practitioner

Operating department practitioners (ODPs) provide skilled care and support to patients at all stages of an operation.

Average annual salary

£28,000 to £43,000

Entry Icon Created with Sketch.

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

University

You'll need to study a diploma of higher education which takes 2 years or a degree in operating department practice which takes 3 years.

The course has to be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council .

You can do further study to top up your diploma to a degree after you qualify.

Work experience

You'll find it helpful to get some work experience in healthcare before you apply for a course.

NHS Learning Support Fund

During your studies, you might be eligible for financial support from the NHS Learning Support Fund .

Entry requirements:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do an Operating Department Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This usually takes 4 years to complete and is a mix of learning on the job and academic study at an approved university.

Entry requirements:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
mouse Created with Sketch.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:
  • knowledge of medicine
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of biology
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • active listening skills
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • the ability to read English
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • concentration skills
  • knowledge of English language
  • leadership skills
Activity Created with Sketch.

What you'll do:

Operating department practitioners (ODPs) provide skilled care and support to patients at all stages of an operation.

You'll support patients of all ages in the anaesthetic, surgery and recovery phases of an operation.

As an operating department practitioner, you could:

  • help patients who are anxious or vulnerable get ready for surgery
  • prepare the operating theatre and make sure drugs and specialist equipment are available
  • monitor instruments and how clean the theatre is
  • provide the surgical team with any items they need during an operation
  • talk to other hospital staff for the surgical team
  • support patients after their operation and assess when they are ready to move to a ward

Location : You could work in an NHS or private hospital.
Environment : Your working environment may be hot and physically and emotionally demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary Created with Sketch.

Salary:

Starter : £28,000
Experienced : £43,000

These figures are a guide

Hours Created with Sketch.

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Path Icon Created with Sketch.

Career Path:

With experience you could:

  • progress to team leader or senior operating department practitioner and manage an operating theatre unit
  • move into education, training or research
  • do training approved by the Royal College of Surgeons of England to become a surgical care practitioner
  • train to work as an anaesthesia associate or advanced critical care practitioner

Related Jobs

nav close Created with Sketch.

Sign up for updates

…for relevant info and news
straight to your inbox.

Sign me up