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What is an ODP?
ODP Phases
Everyday Life
Opportunities
Pathways
Operating Department Practitioner
Become an
The role of the Operating Department Practitioner essentially covers three interconnected phases of the patient’s journey when having an operation. As an Operating Department Practitioner, you’ll need a good understanding of anatomy and physiology, disease, asepsis and infection control, and surgical safety.
What is an Operating Department Practitioner?
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) as the name suggests,
work and provide expert care in operating departments where
patients undergo surgical procedures.
They fall under a group of staff known as Allied Health Professionals
(AHPs) and collectively AHPs are the third largest workforce
in the National Health Service.
Operating Department Practitioners are highly skilled members of the team who care for and support patients during their operative procedure.
Surgical phase:
Additionally, a good understanding of the wide range of specialist equipment
used in surgery such as electrosurgical equipment, surgical microscopes and minimal access equipment is required by the Operating Department Practitioner
in this role.
The skills of the Operating Department Practitioner in this role are often used outside the operating department, for example as part of the resuscitation team (for patients in cardiac arrest) or caring for ventilated patients in the Critical Care Unit, which has been seen throughout the country during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Operating Department Practitioner may also have been involved in the pre-assessment of patients to assess their fitness for surgery and anaesthesia before they are admitted to the hospital.
Anaesthetic phase:
Patients recovering from anaesthesia may be distressed and will require one to one support and close monitoring to ensure their airway is maintained, they are pain free and there isn’t any excessive bleeding. As part of this role, the Operating Department Practitioner assesses the patient, manages their airway and gives prescribed medication and fluids as required during their immediate recovery. When safely recovered, the patient can return home or be transferred to a ward where they will be cared for by the ward nursing staff.
In this phase the Operating Department Practitioner cares for the patient immediately after their operation and as they are recovering from anaesthesia.
Post-anaesthetic care phase:
Watch this video of the everyday life of an Operating Department Practitioner.
Operating Department Practitioners pride themselves on being among the most flexible and adaptable of the Allied Health Professions. Increasingly, Operating Department Practitioners are using their transferable skills set to work in areas outside of the operating department, these include Critical Care Units, Emergency Departments, Preoperative Assessment Clinics, Imaging Units, and becoming members of Transplant and Retrieval Teams.
So, how do I become an Operating Department Practitioner?
You can find our more by visiting the Health Education England - AHP interactive resource website
Learn more
What are the career opportunities for Operating Department Practitioners?
There are also so many opportunities for Operating Department Practitioners
to work outside the operating department and even outside the hospital. Operating Department Practitioners can be found in many hospital departments, including the emergency department, critical care units, interventional radiology, pre-assessment units, fertility units and resuscitation teams. Outside the hospital, Operating Department Practitioners may pursue careers in the military, in community
care or in private clinics.
Operating Department Practitioners can also purse further career opportunities
in leadership positions within and outside of operating departments. Operating Department Practitioners may also decide to pursue an academic career including both teaching and research, this will usually be working at a university and studying to Masters or Doctorate level. Some Operating Department Practitioners may decide on a clinical academic route where they work for both a hospital
and a university.
Many Operating Department Practitioners will work in different clinical areas
and develop their knowledge and skills through increasing their range of clinical experiences. Some Operating Department Practitioners decide to extend their clinical skills, either through completing different short courses or some will undertake a more formal qualifications up to Masters level in order to extend their scope of practice into a number of enhanced, specialist and advanced roles where they undertake responsibilities that would have traditionally have been performed by Doctors. These roles include Surgical Care Practitioners, Anaesthesia Associates, Clinical Endoscopists, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Surgical Advanced Clinical Practitioners and Advanced Critical Care Practitioners.
The career possibilities for Operating Department Practitioners are really endless and there are so many exciting opportunities.
Operating Department Practitioner Career Pathway
Yes, Operating Department Practitioners are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The HCPC protects the public by setting standards for the professions they regulate in education and training and practice. The HCPC also takes action if these professionals do not meet their standards.
Are Operating Department Practitioners regulated?
CODP website
What is the College of Operating Department Practitioners?
UNISON is the largest trade union in the UK representing a range of public service workers, including Operating Department Practitioners. UNISON and College of Operating Department Practitioners work together and once you are
a member of UNISON you will also be
a member of the College.
Who else represents Operating Department Practitioners?
Each year on 14 May, the College
and UNISON work together to promote the role of ODPs and celebrate their profession. #ODPday was launched in 2018 and has grown year on year and is now a national event that everyone wants to be
a part of.
What is ODP Day?
MAY
14
You can join UNISON as a student from as little as £10 per year
Join today
130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY
Examples of Academic and Research
three
interconnected phases
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2
3
4
Examples of Leadership and Management
Examples of Outside of the Operating Department
Examples of Advanced and Specialist Practice
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3
2
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A list of Universities that deliver operating department
practitioner courses including entry requirements can
be found at either the or websites.
To become an Operating Department Practitioner, you must attend university and successfully complete either a Diploma or Degree in operating department practice (from 2024 entry to the profession will be by the Degree route only). A further option
is to undertake a Degree Apprenticeship in operating department practice. Once completed, you are then eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council
(HCPC) to practice as an Operating Department Practitioner.
UCAS
NHS Careers
Operating Department Practitioners work within the theatre teams and so the ability to be a team player is also important. Other qualities include good communication skills, an ability to work with complex equipment, being reliable, honest, dedicated and having attention to detail are also required.
A caring attitude is very important especially given that Operating Department Practitioners work to care for patients who are often very nervous about their surgery.
What qualities are required to be an Operating Department Practitioner?
Read more
Good communication skills are very important in this phase as the Operating Department Practitioner must reassure and provide support to the patient before their operation. You’ll also need an understanding of the various anaesthetic techniques, the specific care required for the individual patient, the equipment used to monitor patients during an operation and the drugs used to keep the patient safe during the operation.
In this phase, the Operating Department Practitioner works with
the Anaesthetist forming the Anaesthesia Team.
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In this phase as the Operating Department Practitioner, you’ll need to have
a thorough understanding of the surgical procedure so that the patient is positioned safely. You will also be ‘scrubbed’ (a deep level of cleaning to ensure
no germs enter the patient) alongside the surgeon as part of the surgical team.
This can include ensuring the surgeon is provided with all instruments in a timely manner. You must also accurately account for all the instruments and materials used during the operation. Operating Department Practitioners are also trained
to assist in the surgery in the nationally recognised role known as the ‘Surgical First Assistant’.
Read more
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The College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP) is the professional
body for Operating Department Practitioners. The College provides support and advice to its members and represents the profession
in areas such as professional, educational
and (through UNISON) workplace matters.
The College represents the interests
of Operating Department Practitioners through membership of national committees and advisory groups and will respond to consultation documents and requests
for advice set by government and other professional and registrant bodies. For further information, please visit the .
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This means that members of UNISON who
are ODP benefit from the professional advice of the College and being a UNISON member: support in the workplace when needed
and access to a range of other benefits.
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Operating
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Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs)
as the name suggests, work and provide expert care
in operating departments where patients undergo surgical procedures.
They fall under a group of staff known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and collectively AHPs are the third largest workforce in the National Health Service.
Operating Department Practitioners are highly skilled members of the team who care for and support patients during their operative procedure.
They fall under a group of staff known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and collectively AHPs are the third largest workforce in the National Health Service.
three interconnected phases
They fall under a group of staff known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and collectively AHPs are the third largest workforce in the National Health Service.
They fall under a group of staff known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and collectively AHPs are the third largest workforce in the National Health Service.
They fall under a group of staff known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and collectively AHPs are the third largest workforce in the National Health Service.
three interconnected phases
Operating Department Practitioners are highly skilled members of the team who care for and support patients during their operative procedure.
They fall under a group of staff known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and collectively AHPs are the third largest workforce in the National Health Service.
Operating Department Practitioners are highly skilled members of the team who care for and support patients during their operative procedure.
They fall under a group of staff known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and collectively AHPs are the third largest workforce in the National Health Service.
Operating Department Practitioners are highly skilled members of the team who care for and support patients during their operative procedure.
They fall under a group of staff known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and collectively AHPs are the third largest workforce in the National Health Service.
The role of the Operating Department Practitioner essentially covers of
the patient’s journey when having an operation. As an Operating Department Practitioner, you’ll need a good understanding of anatomy and physiology, disease, asepsis and infection control, and surgical safety.
Operating Department Practitioners are highly skilled members of the team who care for and support patients during their operative procedure.
They fall under a group of staff known as Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and collectively AHPs are the third largest workforce in the National Health Service.
NHS Careers
1
2
3
4
Many Operating Department Practitioners will work in different clinical areas and develop their knowledge and skills through increasing their range of clinical experiences. Some Operating Department Practitioners decide to extend their clinical skills, either through completing different short courses or some will undertake a more formal qualifications up to Masters level in order to extend their scope of practice into a number of enhanced, specialist and advanced roles where they undertake responsibilities that would have traditionally have been performed by Doctors. These roles include Surgical Care Practitioners, Anaesthesia Associates, Clinical Endoscopists, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Surgical Advanced Clinical Practitioners and Advanced Critical Care Practitioners.
1/2
Many Operating Department Practitioners will work in different clinical areas and develop their knowledge and skills through increasing their range of clinical experiences. Some Operating Department Practitioners decide to extend their clinical skills, either through completing different short courses or some will undertake a more formal qualifications up to Masters level in order to extend their scope of practice into a number of enhanced, specialist and advanced roles where they undertake responsibilities that would have traditionally have been performed by Doctors. These roles include Surgical Care Practitioners, Anaesthesia Associates, Clinical Endoscopists, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Surgical Advanced Clinical Practitioners and Advanced Critical Care Practitioners.
Operating Department Practitioners can also purse further career opportunities in leadership positions within and outside of operating departments. Operating Department Practitioners may also decide to pursue an academic career including both teaching and research, this will usually be working at a university and studying to Masters or Doctorate level. Some Operating Department Practitioners may decide on a clinical academic route where they work for both a hospital and a university.
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