Operating Department Practice
Entry requirements
A level
112-120 points from 3 A levels, to include 32 points from a Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE).
112-122 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma (Science, Health & Social Care or Nursing), to include a minimum of 21 level 3 credits in Science subjects at merit or above.
Cambridge Pre-U score of 54-56, to include a Principal Subject in a single Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE) at M3.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C or above, or equivalent/GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 or above, or equivalent.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
29 points from the IB Diploma, with 664, 655 or 754 at Higher Level, to include 5 points from a Higher Level in a Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE).
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3,H3,H3,H3,H4-H3,H3,H3,H3,H3
To include a Higher Level Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE) at H3.
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
Must be in a Science subject
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Must be in a Science subject.
112-120 Tariff points from 3 Advanced Highers, to include a Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE) at grade D.
T Level
Acceptable T Level Subjects: T Level in Health, T Level in Healthcare Science, T Level in Science
UCAS Tariff
112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include 32 points from a Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE).
112-120 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 2 A levels, to include 32 points from a Science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Sports Science, PE), plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.
You may also need to…
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About this course
**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.
- 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
- Learn on a course with 100% overall student satisfaction (NSS, 2021)
- Become eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Operating Department Practitioner when you graduate
**Approved by:**
This course is approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
**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).
**Clinical placements**
You'll need work experience in real hospital settings before you can become an Operating Department Practitioner, so on this course you'll spend more than half your time on clinical placements.
On each placement, you'll have one-to-one expert support and guidance from a personal mentor based at that hospital or NHS Trust. As a registered healthcare practitioner, your mentor will be there to advise you throughout and oversee your placement experience.
Each year of your course includes one work placement module in a clinical setting. Placement locations are liable to change, but recent students have completed placements at:
- Portsmouth NHS Trust QA Hospital
- Southampton General Hospital
- BMI Healthcare, Winchester
- St Richard's Hospital, Chichester
- RSC Hospital Brighton
- Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath
Modules
Year 1
Core modules in this year include:
Foundation of Evidence Based Practice – 20 credits
Foundations of ODP Professional Practice – 40 credits
Fundamentals of Perioperative Practice – 20 credits
Science Informing Practice – 40 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Year 2
Core modules in this year include:
Applied ODP Professional Practice – 40 credits
Engaging With Service Improvement – 20 credits
Evidence Based Decision Making – 20 credits
Perioperative Care of Specialist Patient Groups – 20 credits
Perioperative Use of Drugs – 20 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
Year 3
Core modules in this year include:
Complex Perioperative Care – 20 credits
Enhancing Operating ODP Professional Practice – 40 credits
Leading Safe and Effective Care – 20 credits
Project – 40 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through tests (academic or practical/skills based), performance-based clinical practice assessments, online assessment, academic written work/portfolios, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), presentations, project.
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
University of Portsmouth
Faculty of Science and Health
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Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
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£24k
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