Operating Department Practice, BSc (Hons), University of Portsmouth

the United Kingdom

Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
BSc (Hons)	Full-time	3 years	September	-	-

About Operating Department Practice, BSc (Hons) - at University of Portsmouth

Overview

Are you enthusiastic, great with people and keen to make a living improving and saving lives?

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are an essential part of the surgical team. They take care of patients, prepare the operating theatre and surgical equipment, and act as a vital link between the surgical team, other hospital departments and patients.

Our BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice degree course, which we've developed with local NHS Trusts and the private sector, provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to work in this demanding and rewarding role.

Course highlights

Practise examinations and procedures on human patient simulators in our Centre for Simulation in Health and Care, one of the country’s leading healthcare teaching environments
Spend more than 50% of your time gaining experience in real operating theatres and wards at our partner hospitals and NHS Trusts, with one-to-one mentorship from a registered healthcare practitioner
Become eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Operating Department Practitioner when you graduate

Careers and opportunities

The role of an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) is to care for patients undergoing surgery in hospital, from preparing the operating theatre and anaesthetic, to ensuring the surgical team have the equipment they need during an operation and supporting patients as they recover.

ODPs are vital to the safe and effective running of an operating theatre, and many are need in both the NHS and private healthcare sector in the UK, now more than ever. As many operations were postponed due to the pandemic, there is high demand for Operating Department Practitioners to help patients get the surgery they need.

Once you complete this Operating Department Practice degree, you'll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which you'll need to work as an ODP in the UK, in areas including anaesthesia, surgery and recovery.

With more training, you could become a surgical care practitioner able to carry out some surgical procedures, under supervision of a consultant surgeon.

What jobs can you do with an Operating Department Practice degree?

As a registered Operating Department Practitioner, you'll be able to progress and develop towards roles such as:

surgical care practitioner
advanced critical care practitioner
team leader
theatre manager
sterile supply manager
practice educator
research fellow

Potential salary

As an Operating Department Practitioner in the NHS in 2021, you could expect a starting salary of £25,655 moving up to £31,534 (Band 5).

With more experience as a senior ODP or team leader, you could earn from £32,306 to £39,027 (Band 6).

Graduate destinations

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice course has 100% progression to employment as an Operating Department Practitioner for graduates who successfully apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Some of our HCPC registered graduates have gone on to undertake the following roles:

Research Fellow at University Hospital Southampton
Theatre Manager
Resuscitation Officer at University Hospital Southampton
Teaching Fellow at the University of Portsmouth
Surgical First Assistant

Notes about fees for this course

https://www.port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance

Entry requirements

104-112 points to include a minimum of 2 A Levels at grade C, one of which should be in a Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE).

All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application, including NHS values based recruitment. Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course.

The Department of Health requires all new Exposure Prone Procedures (EPP) workers, including students, are tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. The consent, test and managed process of results will be carried out by our Occupational Health Department.

If successful, applicants will be required to declare if they have been subject to any disciplinary procedures of fitness to practice by any other regulator, professional body, employer or educational establishment.

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.