BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice

This course combines academic study with clinical practice, so you’ll get the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in real work situations. You'll work in the operating theatre team at one of our clinical allocation hospitals to gain valuable hands-on experience. This course covers: the perioperative environment, anatomy and physiology, inter-professional practice, post-anaesthesia care, emergency care, pharmacology and evidence-based practice.

Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.

Year 1

• Basic anatomy and physiology for perioperative practice
  This module will introduce you to anatomy and basic physiological principles.  It will introduce the concept of systems, and how the relationship of the different body systems contributes to homeostasis.  Functional anatomy of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems will be covered in detail.  Anatomy, disease process and treatment modalities relevant to surgical procedures will also be covered for a number of systems.
• Introduction to perioperative practice skills
  This module provides some basic principles of perioperative practice.  It is intended to be an introduction to the clinical area with a lot of emphasis on working safely within the Operating Theatre environment.  This module will enable you to develop an awareness of the key structures, policies and principles which govern the healthcare sector with particular relevance to the Operating Department. It will prepare you to better understand and appreciate the perioperative environment.
• Caring for individuals in the perioperative environment
  This module will introduce the concept of individualised care of the surgical patient. You’ll be encouraged to consider the breadth of impact a surgical procedure may have on an individual’s life.  Ways in which practitioners may be able to alleviate or reduce such an impact, through improved understanding of cultural and social issues and development of interpersonal skills will be appreciated.
• Understanding fundamental surgery practice
  During this module, you’ll undertake core aspects of the Operating Department Practitioner’s scrub and circulating activities, in a variety of clinical specialities. A series of University lectures and workplace tutorials will underpin the placement activity, and encourage you to identify and apply the theoretical basis to your practice.
• Understanding fundamental anaesthetic practice
  During this module, you’ll undertake core aspects of the Operating Department Practitioner’s anaesthetic related activities, in a variety of clinical specialities. A series of University lectures and workplace tutorials will underpin the placement activity, and encourage you to identify and apply the theoretical basis to your practice.
• Concepts of inter-professional and collaborative practice
  During this module you’ll be introduced to the place and value of inter-professional and collaborative working in health and social care delivery. The module aims to support the development of the necessary communication, personal, partnership working and reflective practice skills required to meet the needs of clients/carers and diverse populations who are at the centre of inter-professional health and social care delivery. You’ll work collaboratively online to explore and develop understanding of the purpose, scope and range of inter-professional and collaborative working.

Year 2

• Developing Operating Department Practice skills – complex care needs
  This module provides the opportunity to apply knowledge of advanced altered physiological parameters, and more complex clinical conditions to the anaesthetic and surgical management of patients. You’ll develop basic skills attained in year 1, in order to be able to participate fully as a member of the multi-professional team in all areas of main theatre care. In particular, mandatory specialist areas of Trauma, Obstetrics (planned and emergency) and ENT/Maxillo facial will be covered. Completion of the module will be dependent on achieving specific competencies from the practice assessment document, including attainment of IPL specific competences.
• Ambulatory care/ Day surgery practice skills
  This module focuses on the development of skills associated with the whole patient journey through day surgery / ambulatory care.  You’ll build on practice skills from year 1, developing skills and responsibilities in patient assessment, short stay  anaesthetic and surgical management, and an understanding of step down and discharge.
• Applied anatomy and physiology for perioperative practice
  This module will develop your knowledge of anatomical and physiological principle, exploring human anatomy and physiology in greater detail and building upon content studied in year 1.  Using a systems approach, it aims to broaden your understanding of renal physiology, Endocrine disorders, the nervous system and disease process.
• Post anaesthesia care skills
  This module will develop your knowledge and practical skills pertaining to the unique needs of the patient in the immediate post-operative period. You’ll learn to identify potential or actual problems or complications which may occur whilst patients are recovering from general, regional or local anaesthesia.  The patients’ emotional and psychological needs will be considered in addition to physiological issues.
• Scope of professional practice for Operating Department Practitioners
  This module gives the opportunity to consider and discuss the scope of practice for a qualified Operating Department Practitioner, and how this will develop with the profession.
• Appraising evidence for research informed practice
  This module will extend your understanding of the concept of evidence based practice and research in practice. The module will equip you with the core skills and understanding to appraise evidence and assess its appropriateness to be implemented into practice. The steps in conducting research, main research methods, approaches to data analysis and presentation are explored.

Year 3

• Preparation for Advanced Perioperative Practice
  This module recognises the need for operating department practitioners to monitor and develop their skill sets in relation to service provision. Students will use this module to facilitate the development of a set of advanced perioperative skills, in preparation for joining the multidisciplinary workforce as an autonomous practitioner. It will also consider the specialist nature and challenges involved with caring for children in the perioperative setting, as well as the advanced knowledge and skills required to provide holistic and individualised care.
• Pathophysiology and pharmacology for perioperative practice
  This module aims to consolidate your understanding of human anatomy and physiology, as well as introduce the pharmacological principles of a range of drugs relevant to the perioperative arena. Using the systems approach, it aims to facilitate a wider understanding of structural anatomy and the physiological principles that underpin daily human function, and how these are affected by a range of drugs.
• Contemporary issues in perioperative practice
  This module aims to prepare you to work in a changing environment and develop awareness of issues that impact on patients and professionals. Particular emphasis will be placed on the management of patients with complex needs or co-morbidities in the context of professional and technological developments, and changes in health care policy. It will enable critical evaluation of professional responsibility in relation to clinical, service and patient experience within the context of ethical frameworks and evidence-based practice.
• Enhanced recovery and emergency care in theatres
  This module is designed to prepare you for the care of seriously ill perioperative patients, and those whose clinical status deteriorates suddenly within the clinical environment. You’ll need to demonstrate the ability to think clearly in difficult circumstances, follow agreed national emergency protocols, and adopt safe practice in the management of a range of clinical emergencies.
• Improving quality, change management and leadership
  This module is the final inter-professional learning module that will explore leadership, quality improvement and change within organisations from an inter-professional perspective. The module looks at a strategic, evidence based approach to change management in a range of environments. It will integrate the perspectives of service users and take an inter-professional approach.

When you finish the course, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration as an ODP with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This allows you to practice both within the UK and a range of other countries. In recent years, all students who qualified as operating department practitioners through LSBU have gained employment in theatre departments in UK hospitals. Day-to-day duties range from preparing the operating theatre and equipment, to providing the surgical team with items needed during an operation. After surgery, ODPs provide care and expertise to patients in recovery.

ODPs need to be well-organised, have effective communication skills, maintain composure and act calmly. They usually work shifts, which can mean evening and weekend work. Promotion routes include progressing to team leader or senior ODP. There are also opportunities in research, education, training and management.

In recent years, all students who qualified as operating department practitioners through LSBU have gained employment in theatre departments within UK hospitals.

If you graduate from this course, you will be able to apply for further study at postgraduate level as well as gaining additional specialist skills and expertise through continuing professional development frameworks. You can find out more about professional development courses on offer through our online CPPD prospectus.

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Personal tutor

As a Health and Social Care student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU.  The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University. They should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have appointments with your tutor at least three times a year for up to 30 minutes throughout your course. You can contact your tutor for additional support by email.

• A Level BBC or;
• BTEC National Diploma DMM or;
• Access to HE qualifications in Nursing or similar with 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits or;
• Equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 112 UCAS points
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths, Science and English or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

English language

If your first language is not English you must have the following minimum International English Language Test Score (IELTS) results at the time of applying:

• 7.0 overall or equivalent
• 7.0 in the listening and reading sections
• 7.0 in the writing and speaking sections.

Interview

If your initial application to a Health and Social Care course is successful, you’ll be invited for an interview.

Visit our interview page for information on preparing for the day and what to bring.

Foundation Year

If you have been out of study for a considerable amount of time or have slightly missed the entry requirements this course, you can take your first steps to becoming a registered practitioner with our Health and Social Care Foundation year. Boost your qualifications and confidence for further study with this one-year introductory course and on completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry on to one of our 13 health BSc pre-registration health and social care degrees.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 226 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.

The individual fee for this course is shown above. For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 226 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations; read notices of PhD studentships.