Why you should study this course
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are a crucial part of the inter-professional team interacting and supporting a variety of patients throughout their perioperative journey. The role of the ODP is continually evolving beyond the borders of the operating department. ODPs are increasingly adapting their range of skills and abilities to develop their practice to work in non-traditional acute areas such as the emergency department, Interventional Radiology, cardiac catheterisation, MRI and CT scanning as well as endoscopy units.
- The skills you will learn and the knowledge you will gain whilst studying towards either the ODP DipHE or BSc (Hons) will be facilitated through simulated activities such as role play and clinical skills development. These will take place in facilities which replicate those found in modern hospitals, include a mock operating theatre and scrub room, mock ward setting, high dependency bays, and utilising high-tech manikins which respond to the treatment provided.
- Teaching and learning is supported by highly trained, clinically current and experienced staff, clinical partners, service users and peer-supported learning both from fellow ODP students and inter-professionally with students from a range of health courses across the school. Our learning through exploration approach provides a hands-on style of learning which provides context and is designed to prepare you for real-world situations.
- Successful completion of the course will allow you to contribute fully as part of the perioperative multidisciplinary team in all areas of operating department practice. In the mandatory practice placements throughout your programme (sourced for you by the university), you will apply theory to practice on a daily basis, providing you with a platform to grow in confidence, develop your clinical skills and abilities to enable you to become a safe, confident and competent practitioner. As the course leads to eligibility to apply for professional registration with HCPC, you are required to meet attendance requirements both at university and on placement.
- By studying two years full-time, you can complete the DipHE and in three years, you can complete the Operating Department Practice BSc (Hons). Both of these awards lead to eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registration as an ODP (subject to additional costs). With the DipHE you are eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC after two years and seek employment, so you can enter the workforce more quickly than degree students. The BSc can increase your employability opportunities following successful completion of the qualification. It can enable faster career progression by providing the foundational skills in leadership and management, the surgical first assist role, coaching and supporting learners in practice.
What you'll study
Successful completion of the course will allow you to contribute fully as part of the perioperative multidisciplinary team in all areas of operating department practice. In the mandatory practice placements*, which are sourced for you by the university, throughout your programme you will apply theory to practice on a daily basis, providing you with a platform to grow in confidence, develop your clinical skills and abilities to enable you to become a safe, confident and competent practitioner.
As the course leads to eligibility to apply for professional registration with HCPC you are therefore required to meet attendance requirements both at university and on placement.
Year one
Year one for both the DipHE and the BSc courses is shared and is concerned with the principles and underpinning skills and knowledge required in practice - safe and effective, developing confidence and competence as a student practitioner.
Modules
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Pathophysiology Applied to Operating Department Practice - 10 credits
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Principles of Anaesthetics and Anaesthesia - 20 credits
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Principles of Surgery - 10 credits
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Anaesthetic Practice - 20 credits
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Surgical Practice - 20 credits
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Health and Wellbeing in the Community - 20 credits
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Foundations of Evidence-Informed Practice - 20 credits
Year two
Year two for both the DipHE and BSc courses is shared and is concerned with developing the skills and knowledge from year one and working towards independent practice, experiencing patients with more complex care needs.
Modules
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Developing Surgical Care in Practice - 20 credits
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Developing Anaesthetic and Post-Anaesthetic Care in Practice - 20 credits
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Developing Surgical Care - 20 credits
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Developing Anaesthetic and Post-Anaesthetic Care - 30 credits
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Developing Evidence-Informed Practice - 10 credits
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Exploring Professional and Ethical Issues in Practice - 20 credits
Final year
BSc (Hons) only
Year three - the final year of the BSc (Hons) course - builds on the knowledge, skills and abilities developed in years one and two to enhance your experiences in more acute and challenging clinical, managerial and coaching roles as well as developing a more in-depth understanding of evidence-based practice.
Modules
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Leadership and Management for Healthcare Professionals - 20 credits
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Enhanced Anaesthetics and Critical Care - 20 credits
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Advanced Surgical Practice - 40 credits
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Evidence-based Project - 20 credits
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Transition to the Accountable Practitioner - 20 credits
