Gain a degree in operating department practice while working in perioperative practice, making you eligible for Health and Care Professions Council registration in the UK.

About the apprenticeship

Course length: 33 months, part-time, plus 3 months end-point assessment

Start date: March

Course level: Level 6

University award: BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice

How much it costs: Funded through the employer

Accreditation: Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP) 

Course summary

• Apply your learning to work-based environments throughout the apprenticeship.
• Gain skills across perioperative practice in our simulated learning spaces, using practical facilities such as operating theatres, simulation wards, and anatomy labs.
• Become eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) under the protected title of operating department practitioner (ODP).
• Qualify for practice with the College of Operating Department Practitioners accreditation.

The operating department practice degree apprenticeship integrates theory and practice, providing knowledge, skills, and accreditation for a rewarding career. 

You will be supported by practice-based learning in your organisation across a diverse range of specialities within perioperative practice. 

This course meets the operating department practice apprenticeship standard.

How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

You will experience a blended approach to learning and teaching both on campus, online, and on the job.  

Practice-based learning, simulation, and real-world clinical application offer opportunities to learn within the four pillars of practice (clinical, research, leadership, and education), developing skills for highly skilled employment in the current and future workforce.

You’ll learn through: 

• Lectures 
• Seminars & tutorials 
• Group work 
• Practical activities 
• Simulation in our operating theatre suite and ward 
• Application of theory into the workplace and placement environments 

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

Applied learning

All three years of the course are structured around applied learning. This links your studies to real-world situations.

This course enhances employability skills, challenging and developing you as a vital allied health professional. You will engage in problem-solving tasks and enquiry-based learning to support module learning and promote independent study and research. Academic modules are studied alongside gaining placement experience in diverse practice settings.

Healthcare professionals
You'll learn from various health and social care professionals from a range of health and social care professions, including operation department practitioners, therapeutic radiographers, nurses, midwives, paramedics, physiotherapists, social workers and occupational therapists. This will help you develop an in-depth understanding of person-centred care and patient pathways.

Specialist equipment
You'll experience innovative equipment such as operating tables, anaesthetic machines, specialist manikins, and high-fidelity simulation tools. You'll apply taught theories in safe on-campus environments and through IT-enhanced simulations. 

Networking 
You will have opportunities during the course to learn as part of a community of practice and to network at national and regional learning events and conferences, including guest lectures.

Campus facilities

You'll learn in modern facilities at our Collegiate Campus including practical rooms, clinical suites and ward environments.

On this course you work with: 

• An online platform to easily access resources for each module
• Innovative equipment including operating tables, anaesthetic machines, specialist manikins, and high-fidelity simulators.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements ensure the apprenticeship is accessible to a diverse range of applicants while maintaining appropriate standards.

Applicants must:

• 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, we will refer you to our functional skills training partner where you'll need to complete the relevant qualifications during the first year of your apprenticeship with support of your employer.

If English is not your first language, you will also need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your level of English language is below IELTS 6.5 we will recommend an appropriate pre-sessional English course. Which will allow you to achieve the required level of English, as per the requirements of Sheffield Hallam University.

Additional qualifications

Plus the following:

• Evidence of successful formal study at Level 3 
• A minimum of six months experience in a health and social care capacity, including any placements or work-based learning undertaken as part of a Level 3 qualification. 

If you do not have a minimum of six months experience working in a health and social care capacity, you should hold one of the following:  

• 96 UCAS points from three A levels or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, OCR Nationals and T Levels.
• Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course
• Level 3 Apprenticeship
• Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ’s) New or existing Level 4 or 5 qualifications such as HNDs, Foundation Degrees, Certificate HE or Diploma HE 
• Previous degree

Other qualifications may be considered in discussion with the university. 

You will also be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check and an Occupational Health check. 

Modules

The course is designed so that learners will apply their learning back to the workplace as part of every module. Delivered through a combination of academic learning and work-based learning.

Year one

• ODP - Introduction to perioperative practice & patient care
• ODP - Surgical practice
• Personal and professional development 1
• ODP - Clinical practice 1

Year two

• ODP - Anaesthetics and recovery practice
• ODP - Complexities in perioperative care
• Research in practice
• Personal & professional development 2
• ODP - Clinical Practice 2

Year three

• ODP - Developing the practice educator
• Applied research in practice
• ODP - Critical and emergency care
• Personal and professional development 3
• ODP - Clinical practice 3

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