Operating Department Practitioner

Typical Salary

£24,907 To £30,615

Typical Hours

38 to 40 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Operating Department Practitioner

You can get into this job through:

a university course
an apprenticeship

College / University

You'll need to study a two-year diploma of higher education or three-year degree in operating department practice approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You can top up your diploma to a degree after qualifying if you want.

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

Apprenticeship

You can get into this role through a degree apprenticeship as an operating department practitioner.

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

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

Day To Day Tasks

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

You will:

help patients who may be anxious or vulnerable, to get ready for surgery
prepare the operating theatre
make sure drugs and specialist equipment are available
monitor theatre cleanliness
provide the surgical team with the items they need during an operation
monitor instruments and use medical equipment and devices
communicate on behalf of the surgical team with other hospital staff
support and monitor patients in the recovery unit as they come round from surgery
assess when they are ready to go on to a ward

Working Environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be hot and physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you may be able to progress to team leader or senior ODP and manage an operating theatre unit.

You could also move into education, training and research.

Some ODPs take further training approved by the Royal College of Surgeons to work as surgical care practitioners. This would give you the skills to complete some surgical procedures, under the supervision of a consultant surgeon.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Registration

you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council

Further information

Health Careers has further details about this career and training options.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks