Learn to work in operating theatre departments and critical care environments - providing important care for patients undergoing surgical and anaesthetic interventions

About the apprenticeship

Course length: 3 years, part-time

Start date: March 2024

Course level: Level 6

University award: BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice

How much it costs: funded through the employer

Course summary

• Learn theory in operating theatres, maternity units, critical care and A&E
• Get hands-on practice in simulated operating theatre, ward and anatomy labs
• Provide high quality, patient-centered care in a collaborative environment

This programme will provide you with core professional knowledge, leadership skills and the ability to work within new care models supporting the integration of health and social care. 

You will learn from professions both in the academic and clinical setting, which will be not only intellectually stimulating but informed by current research. While advocating for your profession, you will also respect and enhance your knowledge of those other professions with whom you will work together for the benefit of the patient and their families.

This course meets the operating department practitioner apprenticeship standard.

How you learn

At every level of the apprenticeship you’ll experience a variety of clinical environments to give you real-world insight. By learning alongside other professions and students, you’ll develop knowledge, confidence and a strong professional identity. A blended mode of delivery is employed throughout including block release.

As an apprentice, you’ll learn with others through each year of the course, working in mixed interprofessional groups.

The programme is delivered in a blended mode, for example, learning in blocks of time.

You will learn through: 

• workplace learning supported with online anytime access learning materials.
• seminars
• lectures
• written assignments
• course work
• presentations
• practical assessments
• end point assessment

You will progress through the course following successful achievement of assessments, which address the learning outcomes for each module and allow you to complete the course.

You will also complete an end-point assessment towards the end of the apprenticeship.

Campus facilities

You'll learn in modern facilities at our Collegiate Campus.

Entry requirements

Throughout the course, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours at university. They can be existing employees looking to develop their careers, or new applicants to the business.

Applicants must:

• be over 18
• not be in full time education
• have the right to abode in the UK
• meet the course entry requirements

GCSE (or equivalent)

Maths and English at level 2 or above (grade 4, or previously C)

If you don't have this yet, you'll need to achieve this level before you take your end-point assessment.

Additional qualifications

You'll need to provide evidence that you have at least 6 months experience in a health and social care setting to apply. 

If you do not have at least 6 months experience working in a health and social care setting, you must hold one of the following: 

• 96 UCAS points from 3 A levels 
• Level 3 BTEC National Qualifications MMM
• Access to HE Diploma 
• T-Levels 
• Level 3 Higher Technical Qualifications 
• Previous degree level or higher study including Foundation Degrees

Your understanding of health and social care and the profession is assessed throughout the selection event processes. We will also consider you if you have alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience.

Modules

During the apprenticeship, the modules you complete will be uni-professional and related directly to Operating Department Practice (ODP), and some will be delivered in a more integrated way with other health courses and professions. 

Year one

• Collaboration for individual and community wellbeing
• Personal and professional development
• ODP - Introduction to perioperative practice and patient care
• ODP - Applied anatomy and physiology
• Evidence based practice 1
• Clinical practice module 1

Year two

• Evidence and enquiry for practice
• Assessing and addressing complexity
• ODP - Developing complex perioperative practice
• ODP - Pathophysiology in perioperative practice
• ODP - Evidence based practice 2
• ODP - Clinical practice module 2

Year three

• The advancing professional
• Professional leadership
• Working with complexity in practice
• ODP - Managing emergency perioperative practice and critical care
• Capstone (end-point assessment)
• Clinical practice module 3

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change.