Operating Department Practitioner

OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTITIONER

CARING FOR YOU

IT'S HOW WE OPERATE

There’s many benefits to working with us as an Operating Department Practitioner, here’s just a few:

Work for a trust that stands by its values : Kindness, Courage and Respect
Work for a trust that encourages you to develop and further your career
Work in a friendly, supportive environment
Live in an area that balances excellent amenities and natural beauty with low cost of living
Live in close proximity to some fantastic northern cities and great transport links to the rest of the UK and Europe
With fantastic days out and outstanding schools there’s something for all the family.

For more information on working for us as an Operating Department Practitioner please contact nlg-tr.wearerecruiting@nhs.net

If you are considering a career as an Operating Department Practitioner we’ve put together the following information that we hope will help you on your journey.

Operating Department Practitioners Career Information

Operating department practitioners (ODP) provide care to patients throughout all stages of a surgical operation. This is known as perioperative care and is split into 3 phases:

Anaesthetic phase
Surgical phase
Recovery phase.

An OPD requires exceptional communication skills, both with patients and with other members of the theatre team. They are responsible for checking and being responsible for equipment prior to and during surgery, providing the correct equipment to the surgeon including anticipating their requirements. During the recovery phase ODP’s provide support and care to patients and monitor their physiological parameters as they recover from the effects of anaesthesia.

An ODP also provides 24 hour cover for emergency and obstetric services and other services that require anaesthetic support

Qualified operating department practitioners register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and will need to keep their skills up to date with continuing professional development.

How much will I earn?

Operating department practitioners generally start on a Band 5 position and work roughly 37.5 hours a week, this will also require on call/rotational shifts to cover a 24 hour service.

Becoming an Operating Department Practitioner

Operating department practitioners need to have completed a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) approved degree in order to practice as an ODP.

What next

Once established as an operating department practitioner you may be able to move into a teaching or research post. Alternatively, a management pathway may be a possibility either within an operating theatre department or as a more general manager. With further training you could become a peri-operative surgical scrub assistant, assisting the surgeon during surgical procedures.