BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice

Key details

BSC (HONS) OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTICE

Start Year

2023

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Bachelor of Science

UCAS course code

B990

Entry Requirements

BBC

Duration (years)

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are an important part of the operating department team working with anaesthetists, surgeons, theatre nurses and other health care professionals to help ensure every operation is as safe and effective as possible. As an ODP, you’ll be integral to the planning, preparation, delivery and evaluation of clinical practice. You will gain knowledge of peri-operative practice techniques in anaesthetics, surgical and post-operative practice, which offers numerous employment opportunities. Excellent leadership, management and communication skills are also vital when working in the perioperative environment – students will develop these throughout their studies.

Taught within the School of Health Sciences, our three-year course is fully approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and prepares you for eligibility to apply for registration as an ODP. Only those who have completed a recognized program of study and registered with the HCPC may work in the NHS as an ODP. This course will give you the skills and knowledge to become a competent, highly sought-after ODP, able to provide high standards of patient care and skilled support, alongside medical and nursing colleagues during peri-operative care.

You’ll have a caring and compassionate nature and a thoughtful and conscientious approach, however the ODP role also requires practitioners to be able to assess and respond in a timely manner to a range of urgent and emergency scenarios. Students must be aware of their own needs and those of others in the perioperative team, making use of critical thinking skills and effective communication techniques.

ODPs are sought after professionals. Once you have qualified, pay and responsibility will depend upon experience and further specialist skills you may acquire. ODPs may work in a wide range of areas including transplant teams, orthopaedic clinics and special care baby units. You may go on to become a senior ODP, perhaps running a theatre unit. Critical thinking and analytical graduate skills will also enable you to seek opportunities in research, education and training and the expanding clinical opportunities available to ODP’s in places like Intensive Care units.

As part of our recruitment process, we’ll explore the values of the NHS Constitution at interview, with successful candidates being able to demonstrate how these are reflected in their own beliefs.

Applicants will have to meet the requirements of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as well as undergoing an Occupational Health check.

Our BSc Operating Department Practice is ranked in the top 20 for Health Professions by 'The Guardian University Guide 2023'.

About

The three-year BSc (Hons) degree programme in Operating Department Practice (ODP) prepares you for an exciting and rewarding career in the peri-operative environment.

This new programme will prepare practitioners in delivering a vital component of future health and social care needs of the population.

Working in a truly multiprofessional arena requires people who thrive on the excitement of a job that demands dynamic assessments and prompt reactions to ensure patient safety. The ODP degree programme will be located in the School of Health Sciences and complements the existing school portfolio of courses.

During the course, approximately 50% of your time will be spent on practice placement. The placement environments include NHS hospitals and private organisations.

Placement allocation occurs throughout the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire with clinical placements at hospitals in Kings Lynn, Great Yarmouth/ Gorelston, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge and Norwich.

You’ll be required to travel both to and from your placement areas and travel costs may be claimed back (subject to criteria). Our placement sites also have a list of recommended local accommodation, and some have onsite accommodation available.

You’ll be expected to follow a range of shift patterns and times to ensure exposure to the full 24 hour and 7 day week nature of healthcare, and this may include weekends, evenings and nights. The start and finish times of these shifts may prove challenging if you are dependent on public transport. For health and safety reasons, where the travel time to the placement area exceeds 45 minutes according to Google Maps, we strongly recommend that you make alternative arrangements for local accommodation.

As this course includes patient facing placements in health care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.

Mapped to the College of Operating Department Practice curricula and HCPC standards the learning outcomes will provide experiences and learning opportunities in a wide range of clinical specialties. All clinical placements will take place with local and regional partners based mainly within Norfolk and Suffolk.

This programme will use a range of teaching methods, including lectures and seminars delivered by expert academics and clinical educators. Blended learning using online content will allow students to discuss and debate relevant topics, developing their own critical thinking skills. The use of methods including flipped classroom and simulation-based education will allow students to develop essential clinical skills and techniques in practical workshops, underpinned by academic study.

A lifelong learning approach is used throughout the course ensuring students are supported as adult learners, to develop the graduate skills, knowledge and autonomy required of a modern healthcare professional.

You will still get to enjoy the experience of your first group Basic Life Support session, learning with and from your peers whilst on campus. There will also be many other practical skills developed in our operating theatre simulation sessions which will enable you to make a valuable contribution to patient care when in practice settings.

Additional information about our clinical partners can be found here:

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

A wide range of assessments are used ensuring, reflecting the modules being studied. These will include but are not limited to Oral Viva, Multiple choice exams, online drug calculation exams, written assignments, poster presentation, case study, “Dragons Den” style proposal, Practice assessment Documents and a Literature review.

Structure

This is a full-time three-year program with each year having three year-long modules. These modules will reflect a spiral learning approach to curricula design. In all modules students will experience an integrated theoretical and practical approach to learning. The modules are based on three themes that run throughout the programme and each year these complement and support each other, building the students’ learning journey.

The programme is organised over three years in weeks of 37.5 hours of learning: Years One and Two are thirty-six weeks in length and year three, thirty-two weeks.

In Year 1, you’ll study Foundations of Operating Department Practice, Foundations of Health and Life Sciences and Foundations of Professional Practice. These modules will develop you knowledge and understanding of the theory and principles of practice as well as the professional values embedded within the ODP profession. Your clinical placements will focus on the care of routine elective surgical patients. During this time, you’ll be under close supervision of placement staff.

Teaching and Learning

The programme will be structured and directed at the outset and become progressively less directed as you progress. This facilitates your development as a student by providing you with lots of opportunity to increase your confidence and capabilities, develop your own professional identity, and ultimately prepare you for autonomous practice as an Operating Department Practitioner.

Teaching delivery will include face to face lectures and seminars, practical simulation-based learning, guided and independent group work and clinical placement experience. The clinical / theoretical split on this programme is 50/50 over the three years of study.

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Assessment for Year 1

Compulsory Modules

FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES

Code HSCO4100Y

Credits 40

This module introduces students to the knowledge and theoretical principles required to be an operating department practitioner. It will provide them with the knowledge base needed to assist in the planning and delivery of safe and effective care to a wide range of patients within the perioperative arena. Students will learn and understand the principles of anatomy and physiology and the sciences which underpin anaesthesia, surgery and healthcare in the perioperative environment. This will include (but not be limited to) physics, biology, chemistry, infection control, medical gasses, medicines management, histology / pathology and psychological factors. This will enable students to develop an understanding of how such knowledge can be applied to the provision of safe patient care and patient assessment principles.

FOUNDATIONS OF OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTICE

Code HSCO4200Y

Credits 60

This module introduces students to the foundation skills required by professionals and in particular, Operating Department Practitioners, within a contemporary health and social care setting. Students will experience current practice in Operating Department Practice and will be introduced to core clinical skills required of an operating department practitioner through a combination of exposure to the clinical learning environment, namely clinical practice placements, and Simulation Based Education (SBE). In conjunction with clinical learning environments, SBE will enable students to safely develop and apply early competencies in preparation for practice placements and the development of more complex practice skills. The focus in this year is to develop anaesthetic and circulating competencies in order to become an effective member of the multi-disciplinary perioperative team providing patient care

EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE 1

Code HSC-4046Y

Credits 20

Evidence Based Practice 1 (EBP1) is an inter-professional module for Year 1 Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language and Operating Department Practice students. This module helps students to be equipped with basic research skills required to facilitate evidence-based practice. Students will learn about the principles of scientific enquiry, including the basic quantitative and qualitative research methods, and how to systematically search for evidence and critically appraise them to support arguments. Using these skills, students will learn ways to implement evidence into healthcare practice.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Assessment for Year 2

Compulsory Modules

EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE

Code HSC-5062Y

Credits 20

This module considers the value of research in the systematic evaluation of practice. This module will build on the introductory research elements covered in Year 1 under the Foundations for Professional Practice. Using pedagogic approaches based on blended learning, the research component will introduce qualitative and quantitative methodologies, using experiential activities to develop a basic understanding of primary research and an understanding of critical appraisal skills.

DEVELOPING HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES

Code HSCO5100Y

Credits 40

This module builds on the Health and Life Sciences module delivered in Year One of the programme. The module will develop students’ understanding of anatomy & physiology through pathophysiology and therefore their understanding of the ODP role in clinical interventions. Students will explore processes concerned with maintaining the body’s homeostatic balance and how these are impacted upon by the processes of illness, disease and trauma. Students will increase their knowledge and understanding of clinical interventions and technological approaches to delivering complex care to patients. In doing so students will develop greater autonomy in their decision making. The emphasis is to develop the core knowledge required to facilitate the students practice-based skills delivered in the co-requisite module delivered this year. Students will come to understand the academic principles and theories relating areas of focus such as preventing, recognising and managing challenging behaviours; motivational approaches to healthcare delivery; supervision and tools for independent learning. Students will explore the importance of the resilience and adaptability within health and social care. Throughout the module, students will explore early employability attributes and begin to develop their employability development portfolio.

DEVELOPING OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTICE

Code HSCO5200Y

Credits 60

In this module students will develop their clinical abilities in providing care for people from an increasingly wider age range and complexity of health and care conditions. Students will apply the theoretical principles delivered in previous and concurrent modules to assist in the multi-disciplinary delivery of care. This module will also introduce the post anaesthetic care environment in which students will build upon the knowledge of A&P gained in the first year by developing their understanding of pathophysiology in the context of acute and critical care. Students will develop further anaesthetic and surgical skills and integrate these into their practice within the multi-disciplinary team. These skills will be used to develop a clear understanding of the post anaesthetic care and the ODP role in managing care in this area. The student will be working towards being able to independently manage the anaesthetic and surgical environment as well as that of the post anaesthetic care area.

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Important Information

Assessment for Year 3

Compulsory Modules

APPLYING HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES

Code HSCO6100Y

Credits 30

This module draws together the theory and practice from H&LS 1 and 2 modules preparing the student to become a confident and competent Operating Department Practitioner and deepen the students’ understanding of the complexities of perioperative practice and relevant interventions through the critical exploration of the profession’s philosophies and practice in a range of diverse and developing contexts. Transitioning into practice will require skills of leadership, supervision and the ability to enable the learning of others. These are crucial aspects of professional attributes in contemporary healthcare which the graduate ODP will be called upon to demonstrate throughout their career. Completion of this module will enable students to demonstrate leadership skills early in their careers and to become supervisors, assessors and educators of future students as well as enhancing their employability and readiness to embark upon the role of independent registered practitioners

APPLYING EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE

Code HSCO6200Y

Credits 30

During this module students will apply the research knowledge and skills, developed in the first two years of the programme, to engage and contribute to an academic dialogue and culture of enquiry within their healthcare profession. An understanding of research principles and evidence gathering techniques will form the basis of lifelong professional practice, which students will be able to demonstrate during this module. Students will develop a service improvement poster which focusses on an area of practice or enhances the delivery and /or provision of patient care. This will sit alongside a structured literature review. The module has been designed to complement the whole programme, in addition to being harmonious with the HCPC’s Standards of Proficiency and the Council of Allied Health Professional’s position statement “Developing research skills within AHP pre-registration.

APPLYING OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTICE

Code HSCO6300Y

Credits 60

This module builds on skills learned in Foundations and Developing Operating Department Practice as well as knowledge acquired throughout the course. Students have the opportunity to reflect on their learning and continue to develop theory to practice links, clinical skills, and professionalism. The module will comprise a variety of taught classroom sessions using lectures, group-work, case studies and seminar presentations. Learning methods include: • Clinical examination skills will be taught and practiced in a ‘safe’ environment • Observation of other practitioners in a first contact setting within practice placement experiences • Supervised practice in a peri-operative setting • Self-directed learning. The students will develop a professional recognition portfolio, which demonstrates their learning through a series of self - assessment, reflections and case studies. The portfolio will be personal to the students own Advanced Professional Practice Development and the underpinning principles of advanced practice A week of clinical preparation will take place prior to undertaking their block placement in a clinical environment. Students will progress towards the role of a professional practitioner, assuming greater responsibility for decision-making, planning and carrying out intervention as well as related activities. Students are expected to demonstrate a flexible, client-centred approach and provide rationales based on sound clinical reasoning and the relevant evidence base. As the placement progresses the supervisory process should become more collaborative, with the clinical assessor/mentor acting as a sounding board for clinical reasoning and planning intervention.

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Important Information

Entry Requirements

A Levels

BBC. If you are taking an EPQ and three A Levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer if you achieve an A in the EPQ.

T Levels

Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Merit in the Occupational Specialism. Acceptable subjects: Health, Healthcare Science, Science

BTEC

DMM in Health, Care or Science

Access course

Pass with Merit in 36 credits at Level 3 and Pass in 9 credits at Level 3, in a Health, Care or Science subject

International Baccalaureate

30 points

Additional entry requirements

Bachelor's Degree (hons)

2.2 or above

Certificate of Higher Education

55% or above

Diploma of Higher Education

55% or above in Year 2

European Baccalaureate

65% or above

Foundation Degree

55% or above in a Health, Care or Science subject in Year 2

Foundation Year

60% or above in a Foundation Year of an undergraduate degree programme at a UK university, in a Health, Care or Science subject

Irish Leaving Certificate

1 subject at H2, 5 subjects at H3

NCFE/CACHE Level 3 Diploma

Grade B or above in Child Care and Education (Early Years Educator)

NCFE/CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma

Grade B or above in one of the following subjects:

Children's Care, Learning and Development
Children and Young People's Workforce
Health and Social Care (including Technical Level)

Open University

60 credits at 55% or above, in a Health, Care or Science subject

Scottish Advanced Highers

CCD or above.

A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable, please contact Admissions for further information.

Scottish Highers

ABBBB or above

We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications, and we also recognise that some students might take a mixture of some of the qualifications above. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.

UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.

Please note that we do not consider A Levels in General Studies or Critical Thinking, Apprenticeships, NVQs (any level) or Work-based Level 3 Diplomas (previously NVQs) to meet the minimum academic entry requirements, although these can be used as evidence of recent study. We’ll also be unable to consider you for this course if you’ve obtained an academic fail from a previous health based degree programme, including where an exit award has been achieved.

GCSE REQUIREMENTS

Mathematics and English Language at minimum grade C or grade 4 required, alongside all other specified requirements.

In place of English Language GCSE we can also consider:

Functional Skills Level 2 English
Essential Skills Wales L2 Communication
Essential Skills Northern Ireland L2 Communication

In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider:

Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
Essential Skills Wales L2 Application of Number
Essential Skills Northern Ireland L2 Application of Number

RECENT STUDY

We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.

AGE ON ENTRY

Applicants for this course need to be aged 18 or over by 31 December 2023. This is owing to the integrated nature of placements within the first year of the course and safeguarding implications. In view of this, applicants who will not be 18 years old or over by this date, should consider applying for deferred entry.

INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.

Note that you must be eligible for ‘home’ fees to be able to apply for this programme: Home or Overseas fees basics (UKCISA).

Students for whom english is a foreign language

If English is not your first language, we will require evidence of proficiency in English (including reading, writing, speaking and listening) at the level of IELTS 7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in each component).

Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

INTO UEA also offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:

English Language Courses at INTO UEA

Interviews

The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting (or being predicted to meet) the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview.

Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your UCAS application.

Interview format

Our interviews for 2023 will take place online with an academic staff member from the School of Health Sciences. You will be invited to the interview session by email, which will last about 30-40 minutes. The email will include a link to access the interview and will confirm the start time. You will not need to download any software or set up an account prior to your interview, access to your interview will be available through a web browser. You should ensure that you have access to a computer, tablet or phone with audio and camera functionality. Email admissions@uea.ac.uk if this will present you with any problems. 

Note that we will not disclose interview questions in advance of the interviews, but in general terms the interviews will explore a range of issues, including your suitability for the profession and the NHS values (as reflected in the NHS constitution). We’ll look to consider your motivation to study this course, as well as whether you have an interest in people and a clear understanding of the profession (ideally with relevant voluntary or paid work in healthcare).

Experience of healthcare

We are aware that it is a difficult time to try to gain relevant experience in healthcare. First time applicants to Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions will all be in a similar situation. We will take this into account and will adapt our expectations.

Keep in mind that clinical work experience is not generally a requirement for applying to train in healthcare, but it is important to show that you are able to work with people and appreciate the health and social care setting. It is important to remember why we look for work experience in an application; this in turn can help you think of the numerous ways that you might be able to demonstrate how you have acquired relevant experience.

We will want to see that you understand what a career in Health involves. Work experience, and other related experiences, are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. While we will expect you to show some understanding of what it is like to be the professional of your choice, part of this involves demonstrating that you know what it is like to work in a responsible role, particularly with the public.

What type of experience do you need?

Any activity or life experience that helps you to prepare for training to be a healthcare professional will help. This means any activity that allows you to demonstrate that you have:

Had people-focused experience of providing a service, care, support or help to others, and that you understand the realities of working in a caring profession.
Developed some of the values, attitudes and behaviours essential to being a Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health professional such as conscientiousness, effective communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. The values that we are looking for are set out in the NHS Constitution.
A realistic understanding of Health and Social Care and in particular the physical, organisational and emotional demands of the career.

Practical ways to gain experience

Keep a reflective diary on what is happening in the news and online. Listen to what healthcare professionals have to say and reflect on this. All healthcare professionals can be a valuable source of information and experience, not just those that work in the specific profession that you are applying for. Demonstrating that you have a sense of all healthcare professions (and how they work together) will help you in both your personal statement and interview.

Volunteer in your spare time if you can, all forms of voluntary work can provide helpful work experience. Whilst volunteer work in the NHS might be disrupted at this time, other schemes may still be in operation and worth exploring i.e. working with other people in a caring or service role. Voluntary commitments to community groups (for example groups related to the work of churches, mosques and temples, or other groups such as Scouts or Guides) and online community support groups may also provide valuable experience of taking on responsibility, dealing with people and communicating effectively. It is likely that these sorts of volunteering opportunities will start to run again before healthcare related opportunities are available.

Remember: it is what you learn about yourself, about other people and about how effective care is delivered and received that counts. What you did is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt which matters.

PROGRAMME CONDITIONS

Offers will be made to applicants after completion of successful interviews, and will be subject to a satisfactory occupational health check (including evidence of appropriate immunisations), an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two satisfactory references. We will let you know what you need to do (and when) to meet these conditions if you are successful in gaining an offer.

PLACEMENTS

During the course, approximately 50% of your time will be spent on practice placement. This might be in a variety of settings that include NHS and private organisations. Placement allocation occurs throughout the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.

Gap year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. If you intend to apply with deferred entry, please let us know about your gap year plans in your UCAS application.

PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS

Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.