How will I learn on this Operating Department Practice BSc course?
The Operating Department Practice team at Northumbria University will work in partnership with you to develop your confidence and competence to provide excellent care. Your engagement in theoretical, practice and skills modules will include inter-professional learning opportunities and prepare you for your professional role.
Integral to the programme is practice learning, and together with
our clinical partners, we will offer a wide range of supported clinical
placements with reliable and beneficial learning experiences. Practice
supervisors, Practice Assessors and Academic Assessors support you as a
Northumbria student in your learning journey. Your learning will be underpinned
by developing skills and understanding of the evidence-base in Operating Department
Practice to help you link theory to practice. At the forefront of your experience is the development of critical
thinking skills required to become a reflective, lifelong learner.
At Northumbria, we have created a
student-centred learning culture to empower you to become an independent
learner through engagement with an evolving concept curriculum.
How will I learn on this programme?
Your learning will reflect real-life experiences. You will be introduced to the key concepts of operating department practice, which are supported by the HCPC (2014) Standards of Proficiency for ODPs. Once basic concepts are mastered, you will be able to transfer your knowledge and skills to the care of patients in different situations, therefore increasing your confidence. The BSc Operating Department Practice has been developed integrating technology enhanced learning to allow flexible access to authentic education integral to improving patient care. Some of your theoretical content will be presented as preparatory independent study provided as video lectures and interactive e-learning packages. You will arrive in class prepared for the face-to-face learning facilitated by a lecturer where you will be ready to apply concepts to real life situations in an interactive environment. Using this approach you are likely to feel more engaged and motivated in your learning.
Learning occurs within the classroom, the Clinical Skills Centre, and in clinical practice. In clinical practice, you will be supported to learn by a dedicated team of registered operating department practitioners and other healthcare professionals who can offer you support in the practical application of skills and knowledge, emphasise a person-centred approach within operating department practice, and identify opportunities for you to interact with peers and staff. External speakers who are experts in their field are actively involved in e-lectures and the delivery of seminars/workshops. Your learning will be support throughout the programme with a unique coaching approach. This involves a two-way dialogue with your lecturers / peers with the intention of working through problems to find solutions through questioning, listening and having an open mind.
At Northumbria University, we know that, as a student, you need a practice environment to develop your practice of thinking and skill performance. You will be exposed to a variety of strategies such as demonstration, supervised practice and skills rehearsal in our perioperative simulation suite. These can support your clinical skills development and build confidence prior to clinical practice. The programme team utilise Enquiry-Based Learning (EBL) approaches, designed to facilitate your learning, challenge the development of your skills and motivate you to develop a deep understanding. Learning in practice is a fundamental part of the programme supported by learning opportunities facilitated by practice supervisors, practice assessors and academic assessors.
How will I be assessed on the programme?
The assessment processes are both formative (ungraded) and summative (graded) as we believe they should not only measure and judge your learning but also shape it and develop your intellectual ability. All assessments are designed to motivate you, stimulate your interest and challenge you to develop your skills. This will enable you to reflect on feedback regarding your progress.
During the programme there is equal weighting in the assessment of theory and practice. Module assessments reflect a variety of tried and tested strategies carefully selected to suit your needs as a student and as a developing ODP on this programme. Examples of academic assessments include written assignments, exams, presentations and reflective accounts.
Module Overveiw
|
Semester One |
Semester Two |
Year One |
Theory 1 : Introduction to Perioperative Evidence Based Practice (20 Credits) |
Theory 2: Anatomy and Physiology in Operating Department Practice
(20 Credits) |
Skills 1 : Introduction to Perioperative Practice
(20 Credits) |
Skills 2 : Principles of Perioperative Practice
(20 Credits) |
Practice 1: Principles of Operating Department Practice
(40 Credits) |
Year Two |
Theory 3 : Developing Evidence Informed Operating Department Practice (20 Credits) |
Theory 4: Pathophysiology in Operating Department Practice
(20 Credits) |
Skills 3 : Developing Skills for Perioperative Practice
(20 Credits) |
Skills 4: Enhancing Skills for Perioperative Practice
(20 Credits) |
Practice 2: Applied Operating Department Practice
(40 Credits) |
Year Three |
Theory 5 : Integrating Evidence into Perioperative Practice Development
(40 Credits) |
Skills 5 : Leadership and Management in Perioperative Practice (20 Credits) |
Skills 6: Advanced Skills in Perioperative Practice
(20 Credits) |
Practice 3: Advanced Operating Department Practice (40 Credits) |
Additional Costs
You will be required to purchase a fob watch and suitable footwear for use in placement, which will cost approximately £80. You will need to pay for your own travel costs, which may be approximately £800 per year depending on your placement location. You may be eligible to claim reimbursement of travel costs from the NHS Business Authority. Up to date information relating to this can be found at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/student-services. If using a car to attend placement, you may also need to pay parking charges of approximately £200 per year.
Travel to Placement
The placements team is aware that travelling to placement can be challenging. Care is taken to ensure all placements are accessible by public or personal transport and, to support this, please ensure that your term time address is always kept up to date on the University system. Northumbria University links to a large geographical area, so you will be expected to travel for some, if not all, placements.
Currently, information regarding travel costs and financial support for accommodation near placement is available on the NHS Business Service Authority website through the learning support fund. See link below:
Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses