You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.
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:
Entry requirements:
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:
Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Skills: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:
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.
With experience you could: