Course description

Surgery requires an immense amount of patience, expertise and level-headedness. Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) have these skills in abundance and they set the highest standards for patient care in the UK.

ODPs work as part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), including with surgeons and anaesthetists, from the lead up to surgery right through to recovery and beyond. Working in the Operating Theatre, you’re truly at the sharp end of the care provided to patients undergoing surgery. An operation is often an important step on the road back to normal life, and you’ll become a key member of a team that cares for patients at a crucial time. Working as an ODP is an extremely rewarding career that gives you a real sense of privilege.

Our ODP programme within the School of Healthcare offers course-long placements in Nottingham, Derby, Northampton, Kettering, Chesterfield, Peterborough, Grantham and Boston, as well as Leicester. This gives you the option to enjoy the benefits of our excellent ODP programme whilst learning in a local hospital close to home.

The degree blends academic study and work-based learning - we believe that this is the best way to develop your knowledge and skills. In the classroom, you'll study areas fundamental to an ODP's role, such as biological sciences, operating department technology, clinical leadership and management and the legal, ethical and professional issues that affect clinical practice.

However, building your confidence and breadth of experience with patients is vital, so 65% of your time is spent on placement in one of our partner hospitals. Based in the East Midlands and surrounding areas, all our partner hospitals provide high quality, supportive placements where you will be mentored, taught, supervised and assessed to ensure you have what it takes to step into the professional environment.

We’re really proud to have some of the most satisfied ODP students in the UK. Our exceptional teaching and learning environment was reflected in our National Student Survey (NSS) 2024 results, where we were ranked 8th in subjects aligned to ODP for overall positivity (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data).

The 2024 NSS comprised 27 core questions covering academic experience, teaching and assessments, and well-being services. It is completed by almost 346,000 final year students in the UK and gives feedback on their university experience.

This course is accredited by the College of Operating Department Practitioners and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You can also start the course in April or September.

• Students on this course are eligible for a grant of at least £5,000 a year, which you do not need to pay back.
• This course is part of the Higher Education Pathway for Armed Forces project, which recognises the qualifications, skills and experience of ex-armed forces personnel. 

We also offer a three-year Apprenticeship in Operating Department Practice in partnership with the NHS and other healthcare providers.

Entry requirements

Related courses

Sustainable Development Goals

We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

• Goal 3: Health and wellbeing

Find out more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Placement

Operating Department Practice (ODP) is an exciting and varied Allied Health Profession based in the operating theatre and associated acute areas. As such, building your confidence and experience with patients is fundamental; 65% of your studies will be based in clinical placement.

How placement works

You will be partnered with a single hospital/trust from the beginning of your course and will live close to your designated placement area. You will work on a year-round programme with bookable annual leave throughout your studies in contrast to the traditional student cycle.

During your time at the placement hospital, you will become part of a professional clinical team, where you will learn new skills every day as well as undertake assessments in this environment.

Learning the role of an ODP

You will work as part of the multi-disciplinary team across the patient’s perioperative journey; this includes anaesthetics, surgery and recovery. Also clinical specialities such as Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), orthopaedics, gynaecology, plastics and general surgery, colorectal, cardiothoracic, day case surgery, emergency, and maternity. Working within these areas will allow you to develop key skills in patient care, including advocacy, reassurance, building rapport to produce the best possible care.

The anaesthetic role will see you assisting with cannulation, airway management, the monitoring of patient progress, the use of anaesthetics drugs and monitoring and maintenance of fluid balance, among countless other practises. 

As part of your learning, you will circulate or ‘scrub in’ during surgery to provide instrumentation, sutures, swabs, and sundries. You will complete care plans and documentation, handle specimens for pathology and main infection control throughout.

In ‘recovery’, the ODP is responsible for the patient while they recuperate from anaesthesia. During this time, you will ensure the patient is safe and comfortable.

You will also be responsible for assessing the patient and making appropriate clinical decisions to reduce their pain, maintain a patent airway and limit nausea alongside other side effects from anaesthesia.

Managing patient care 

As well as clinical knowledge, working with patients directly will improve your dynamic skills in maintaining patient confidentiality and dignity, along with proficient teamwork and communication skills, which are all integral to the ODP profession.

As well as learning clinical knowledge and skills, you will be working directly with patients, caring for them throughout the perioperative journey. Teamwork, communication and empathy are fundamental to the ODP profession and to quality patient care.

Placement areas

We have a wide range of partner hospitals across the region. At all hospitals, you will be mentored by experienced professionals every step of the way. Students currently complete placements in the following areas*:

• University Hospitals of Leicester
• University Hospitals of Derby and Burton
• Nottingham University Hospitals
• Northampton General Hospital
• Kettering General Hospital
• North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
• Chesterfield Royal Hospital
• United Lincolnshire Hospitals
• Independent sector partners

*placements are allocated by the School of Operating Department Practice, at the point of UCAS offer, and are dependent on availability. For further information, please contact odpeducation@le.ac.uk.