So What Is It You Do Again?

"So what is it you do again?" a question that Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are asked on numerous occasions.

As ODPs, we work across all three areas of the perioperative environments, otherwise known as Operating Theatres.

We work with anaesthetists, surgeons, consultants, trainees, nurses, radiographers, paramedics, midwives. We work in theatres, maternity, day-care units, eye-units, A&E, resus and even assist in transferring the patient to another hospital if required.

In theatres, we cover all surgical disciplines including orthopaedics, gynaecological, obstetrics, neurological, plastics, general, eyes, burns, urology, ENT and emergencies to name a few.

What differentiates the University of Bolton's approach from other universities is our course structure. Due to the 80/20 split of on the job training in clinical practice/university theory, we effectively prepare students with the opportunity to learn, develop and demonstrate the skills required to be a competent and patient-focused ODP.

The job is a very skilled and practical one so having 80% of student training in clinical practice, combined with the underpinning knowledge allows them to ultimately qualify as a practitioner who can deliver the highest quality of skilled care to the patient.

We currently have a cohort of students who have been with us since January in clinical placement. We excited to be welcoming our September 2019 and January 2020 intakes.

Our teaching team are practicing ODPs (one of which is on The Association For Perioperative Practice panel) who still work clinically. They are enthusiastic and passionate about the role and ready to train the ODPs of tomorrow.

Richard Oldfield

Programme Lead

Operating Department Practitioners