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REF 2021 Our Research environment is rated 100% world leadingThis programme has been endorsed by the College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP) and approved by the sector Regulatory Body, The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Our Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) Degree Apprenticeship equips apprentices with the skills and knowledge required to provide care to patients during the three phases of perioperative practice whilst in full-time paid employment. Areas include:

  • Anaesthetics
  • Surgery
  • Post-Anaesthetic Care

At Northumbria we offer this apprenticeship as a three year course as standard, however, we also offer a two year study programme for those apprentices who already have prior experience. See our Entry Requirements for further details. 

The apprenticeship equips apprentices with the skills required to become a practising ODP, in addition to addressing complex patient groups, such as older persons and those with multiple health problems. The programme ensures apprentices are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based patient care and focuses on the use of new technologies within the operating theatre and the new ways of working within the profession.

During the course, apprentices will demonstrate critical thinking skills in relation to complex healthcare issues and undertake research to enhance Operating Department Practice.

At the end of the apprenticeship, apprentices will have comprehensive abilities to plan, implement and evaluate individualised, holistic, evidence based Operating Department Practice care, alongside demonstrable skills within management and leadership to deliver high quality perioperative care. Successful apprentices will graduate with an Operating Department Practice BSc (Hons).

This apprenticeship if for those who are working full-time in a perioperative environment. If you would like to study this programme and are not in full-time employment, you may be interested in our BSc in Operating Department Practice.

Apprenticeship Standard

Apprenticeship programmes at Northumbria University are designed to support apprentices in acquiring the appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviour and retain the integrity of the apprenticeship standard as defined by IFATE. For further details please consult the IFATE Apprenticeship standards / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education webpage here.

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an operating department practitioner. Accredited by the College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP).

Course Information

Level of Study
Undergraduate

Mode of Study
3 Years full-time

Department
Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location
Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2023

Fee Information

Module Information

Register your interest
Entry Requirements Modules Overview Apply Now

Entry Requirements 2023/24

Standard Entry

Admission onto a higher or degree apprenticeship can only take place if applicants are currently employed and their employer has a training agreement in place with Northumbria University.

Applicants must be employed within an operating department, with the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts directly to their personal and professional work experience.

Potential apprentices will need:

120 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-levels, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas or the International Baccalaureate.

We may also consider applicants who have successfully completed a related Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or those with non-standard qualifications, or a significant amount of relevant work-based or professional experience.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator 

You may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and join the programme in year two. To meet the requirements for RPL, you must demonstrate from previous academic study and experiential learning that you have gained some of the knowledge and skills required of a student ODP. This is achieved through a recognition process, which consists of a combination of accreditation of previous academic learning and a minimum of 544 hours of Perioperative experience. This process is undertaken to establish the equivalence of learning which has already taken place with Northumbria’s provision and equates to 12 months of pre-registration ODP study and prior study at Level 4 of 120 credits. Successful candidates are granted advanced entry to year two of study, thereby completing their pre-registration programme in a shorter period.

Additional Requirements:

Applicants will be required to attend an interview. Admission is subject to a suitable DBS Enhanced Certificate and a satisfactory health check. Applicants must meet the Health and Care Professions Council's suitability for registration requirements.

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with 6.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or Functional Skills English and Maths at level 2 and be able to provide evidence of these qualifications. It is recommended that applicants have this qualification prior to entry, however if applicants are working towards this qualification, it is a condition that it is completed in advance of End Point Assessment.  The University will facilitate provision of Maths and English qualifications where this is needed.

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules Overview 2023/24

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three

Year one

DA4014 -

Principles of Operating Department Practice (40 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP). This practice module will provide you with a unique opportunity to develop skills and knowledge directly relevant to your current practice placement experiences. The practice module will both support your learning while you are in practice and provide an environment, within university, to consolidate the skills and knowledge necessary to progress effectively. By using a concept curriculum approach, the perioperative practice module will support you to learn how to become an accountable professional, and manage care, and work in teams.

During the first year, you will learn the fundamental skills that are necessary for safe, effective and professional practice across all phases of perioperative practice.

During the majority of your first year clinical placements you will return to university for two days a week to reflect on your experiences. You will learn together with your peers and examine theoretical concepts such as professionalism, interprofessional learning, medicines management and safeguarding that will enhance your practice. Seminars and workshops will focus on a range of subjects that will enhance your professional practice.

You will learn how to develop your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA) and how to reflect on your personal and professional development. You will learn about the importance of patient centred and recovery focussed approaches and will be asked to reflect on feedback given by Experts By Experience (EBE). These skills are the start of your development as an evidence-based practitioner.

More information

DA4015 -

Introduction to Perioperative Evidence Based Practice (20 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), this module will provide the opportunity for you to spend time exploring the various types of evidence that Operating Departmental Practitioners (ODPs) are required to
i) find and ii) appraise iii) use when they deliver care. You will learn to explore the diverse forms of Evidence Based Practice (EBP) that impact upon perioperative practice and examine how theoretical frameworks and knowledge inform clinical decision making within the ODP role. You will learn how to use approaches to identify evidence including exploring, describing, testing and reflecting. You will use a variety of appraisal approaches to explore the research and learn to recognise the key factors relating to weaknesses and strengths with published evidence. You will gather evidence from a number of different perspectives, and these will be explored so that opportunities and limitations can be critiqued and developed.

More information

DA4016 -

Anatomy & Physiology for Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

The?BSc (Hons)?Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship?programme?work-based route?aims to?ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award?(CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) you will acquire an in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology and physical and mental health problems across the age spectrum. These are considered an essential basis for safe and effective practice. This module will enable you to apply biosciences to understand the determinants of health- social, psychological, behavioural, environmental and genomic factors and how they impact on health at a physical and psychological level. You will develop an understanding of the functioning of the body at different levels (cell, tissue, organ, system) and how this knowledge will assist you in delivering safe, holistic, compassionate perioperative care.
You will enhance your understanding of the structure and function of the human body by exploring the complex relationship between health, anatomy, physiology and disease. This will be achieved through an exploration of diseases and conditions that arise from a malfunction of the systems of the body which will include an element of biochemistry and genomics. Pharmacology will be examined in relation to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. You will analyse and apply this information to help you examine the role of the ODP in anticipating the needs of patients, making care decisions and supporting an individual with illness.

During this module you will explore the following concepts:

• Body systems, altered pathology and their relationship to disease and illness
• Assessment and anticipating changing health needs
• Understanding the fundamentals of safe and quality care provision

More information

DA4017 -

Introduction to Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The content of Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) Skills Module 1: Introduction to Perioperative Practice will be informed by the proficiency standards outlined in the Standards of Proficiency for Operating Department Practitioners by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC 2023).

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), the module will introduce you to the concepts and principles of Operating Department Practice and the proficiencies required to care for Service Users during the perioperative period and explore a range of factors which influence care provision as well as Service Users’ needs. You will learn how the role of the ODP addresses those needs within professional, ethical and legal parameters with an emphasis on ensuring Service User and environmental safety. The module will introduce you to the principles of service user safety applied to perioperative practice and to develop an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of members of the inter-professional team when caring for Service Users within the perioperative environment.

You will learn how to observe and assess people of all ages in terms of symptoms and signs of physical ill health. You will learn how to take, record and interpret a patient’s vital signs and use communication tools to support verbal and written reports. An introduction to basic medicine calculation and management will also be part of your learning. These skills and proficiencies will be supported by opportunities to participate in simulated education utilising a range of specialist technology eg laparscopic trainer and laparscopic equipment located in the clinical skills centre equipment and taught by experts. These skills are directly relevant to your practice learning and include procedures that are necessary for safe and effective patient care.

You will be introduced to research underpinning fundamental Operating Department Practice care. You will be equipped with foundational knowledge of research concepts to enable you to make judgements about the quality of the research literature. You will be taught by academics who are research engaged and they will help you to begin to understand Operating Department Practice as an evidence based profession.

Before your first placement you will complete a number of mandatory requirements, ie Basic life support moving and handling, cardiopulmonary resusitation, which will enable you to practice with confidence and ensure patient safety. The learning opportunities in this module are designed to support you to develop knowledge, which will inform the attainment of communication and relationship management skills and Operating Department procedures as identified in Part 1 of your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA).

More information

DA4018 -

Principles of Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The?BSc (Hons)?Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship?programme?work-based route?aims to?ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award?(CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) Skills 2: Principles of Perioperative Practice will build on the concept of communication and safe and effective practice which you have been introduced in the previous skills module. You will further develop your communication and clinical skills relevant to your practice placement experiences. You will continue to learn a range of skills that are necessary for safe, effective and professional practice. You will have the opportunity to participate in simulated education utilising a range of specialist technology e.g. laparoscopic trainer and laparoscopic equipment located in the clinical skills centre equipment and taught by experts. This content will be taught and facilitated by a specialist module team of lecturers in perioperative practice.

You will consider and develop your skills, acting with integrity, applying the principles of the Health and Care Professions Council’s (HCPC) Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (HCPC 2016). You will demonstrate your ability to practise in a holistic, individualised, person centred, non-judgemental, caring and sensitive manner, acknowledging the diverse needs of a contemporary society. You will continue to develop your understanding of team working and its importance in operating department practice. You will learn about the importance of person centred care and effective communication skills. These learning opportunities will continue to help you gather evidence of your abilities and confidence and will inform your attainment of communication and safe and effective practice as identified as part 1 in your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA).

More information

Year two

DA5014 -

Applied Operating Department Practice (40 Credits)

This practice module will provide you with an opportunity to build upon and extend your portfolio of skills and knowledge relevant to your clinical practice. This module will both support your learning while you are in practice and provide an environment, within university, to consolidate the skills and knowledge necessary to progress effectively. By using a concept curriculum approach, the applied operating department practice module will support you to learn how to become an accountable professional, lead and manage perioperative care, and work in teams.

During your module you will explore clinical decision making in practice through collaboration and partnership working. In your clinical placements you will return to university for two days a week to share your experiences with your peers and module tutors to help develop effective decision making. You will be provided with opportunities to critically reflect on your own role and professional responsibilities in making shared decisions for your continued development as a safe and effective student operatinf department practitioner (ODP). By using a developing concept curriculum approach, you will be able to practise safely and have an awareness of your own limitations, demonstrating increasing autonomy and independence when performing a range of practical skills. You will apply your developing knowledge of pharmacology, social and life sciences to operating department practice.

You will continue to develop your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA) and reflect on your personal and professional development as an evidence-based practitioner. You will reflect on the importance of patient and family centred approaches in addition to the effectiveness of patients and client feedback. Some of your learning will be online via online learning resources stored on the eLP as we help you to facilitate, and organise your independent learning.

More information

DA5015 -

Developing Evidence Informed Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), you will learn to explore the diverse forms of evidence-based practice (EBP) that impact upon perioperative practice and examine how theoretical frameworks and knowledge inform clinical decision making within the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) role. You will learn how to use approaches to identify evidence including exploring, describing, testing and reflecting. You will use a variety of critical appraisal approaches to explore the research and learn to recognise the key factors relating to weaknesses and strengths with published evidence. You will gather evidence from a number of different perspectives, and these will be explored so that opportunities and limitations can be critiqued and developed.

More information

DA5016 -

Pathophysiology in Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

The?BSc (Hons)?Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship?programme?work-based route?aims to?ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award?(CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) you will explore the knowledge required to support and underpin the care of the acutely and chronically ill patients who are managed in a variety of perioperative settings, and expand your knowledge regarding the role of the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) in providing safe and effective care to the patient with complex needs. To achieve this you will analyse a range of tools and frameworks and investigate the wider evidence base underpinning perioperative interventions, in addition, you will examine the illness trajectory from acute presentation and diagnosis of a condition to living with a chronic illness and preparing for end of life across all age ranges. This module will support you to understand the relevance and importance of decision-making, problem solving and critical thinking to meet diverse patient needs.
On this module you will explore the biological basis of illness and applied pharmacology to help you problem solve and anticipate the needs of the patient including managing the deteriorating patient and living with complex needs. Evidence based practice will help you to understand and apply contemporary interventions for this patient group, and you will explore management and governance issues related to providing safe, effective and ethically sound care in the acute and chronic periods of illness or accident recovery. The theoretical underpinnings of perioperative care and patient management across a variety of settings will be examined.

More information

DA5017 -

Developing Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) this module will build on the concepts from year one and introduce more complex skills linked to the proficiency standards outlined in the standards of proficiency for registered operating department practitioners (ODP’s) from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC 2014). This will support your practice learning and help you further develop the knowledge and skills you have gained from your year one clinical placements. The module will help you develop greater confidence and autonomy, allowing you to contribute effectively to a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare providers. This skills module will support your learning while you are in practice and provide an environment, within university, to consolidate the skills and knowledge necessary to progress effectively. While in university you will also be updating, consolidating and learning new communication and perioperative skills, and elements of patient safety to ensure safe and effective practice.

More information

DA5018 -

Enhancing Clinical Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The?BSc (Hons)?Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship?programme?work-based route?aims to?ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award?(CODP, 2018).
The content of ODP Skills Module 4 will be informed by the proficiency standards outlined in the standards of proficiency for registered operating department practitioners (ODP’s) (HCPC 2023), building upon your knowledge of medicine administration whilst being exposed to the challenges of complex care needs.

As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) your learning on this module will be focused upon interventions associated with people of all ages who have complex care needs. To achieve this, you will explore the principles, approaches and concepts of safe practice within the perioperative setting and the delivery of holistic care to service users. You will undertake accurate drug calculations for a range of medications using a range of routes. You will build your knowledge of safe ethical medicines management with an emphasis on the clinical application of these skills and understanding. There will be a particular focus on the challenges of medicines optimisation in people with complex care needs, which requires understanding of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Alongside this you will learn to develop professional accountability to ensure safe administration of medicines, including competency in drug calculation. You will continue to develop your understanding of team working and its importance in operating department practice.

More information

Year three

DA6014 -

Advanced Operating Department Practice (40 Credits)

In this third year module which is based in practice, all of your learning will be online via BlackBoard Ultra, except for a single face to face seminar to explain expectations as we help you to facilitate greater independent learning as you transition to become a registered operating department practitioner (ODP). This module will provide you with the opportunity to advance your skills and knowledge directly relevant to your third-year practice placement experiences and prepare you for working life as a registered ODP. It will specifically focus on leadership and management, quality and teamwork, allowing you the opportunity to put into practice concepts of leadership and management developed in module OD6016.

By using a concept curriculum approach, the perioperative practice module will support you to become an accountable professional, working in teams to lead and manage quality perioperative care. Within the context of your practice placements you will critically reflect and debate contemporary theories and explore service improvement models, which support sustainable service improvement. Applying your knowledge of team and interprofessional working you will learn how to coordinate safe and effective high-quality care. This will include a collaborative approach embedding the views of service users, lay carers and colleagues in the delivery and enhancement of care. You will be provided opportunities to critically reflect on your own personal and professional responsibility for your continued development as a manager and future leader of service improvement. You will learn how to manage uncertainty and put into practice the strategies that develop resilience in yourself and others.

Through dynamic learning opportunities in practice you will gather evidence to aid completion of your North East Practice Assessment Document (NE PAD). Through critical reflection and self-assessment, you will complete your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA) demonstrating your capability and readiness for independent practice. The NEPAD for this module has been mapped to the 2023 HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Operating Department Practitioners.

More information

DA6015 -

Integrating Evidence into Perioperative Practice Development (40 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), you will be learning about the legislative and policy drivers that shape care delivery; locally, nationally and globally. The module examines the tools used to ensure evidence-based practice is delivered, taught, managed, evaluated and adapted to fit the needs of all surgical service users and perioperative staff and associates.
You will learn how to synthesise information and consolidate your knowledge, skills and abilities so that you can move into a more advanced stage of your professional development. You will learn about the accountability and responsibility of managing a team. You will design a practice development dissertation so you can learn about the necessity for scholarship. This will be captured in a formative project proposal focussing on a particular clinical topic; one embedded in the real world of perioperative practice and service user/carer experience. Completing a practice development proposal will provide insight and experience of various stages of inquiry, project management, problem solving and decision-making and the need for emotional intelligence. The module will continue to support your engagement in a holistic and systematic approach to perioperative practice; with critical analysis of systems, models and cross boundary working used in health and social care. During this module, you will learn about the process of transitioning from student to an accountable practitioner; this will encompass your roles as a leader, practice developer, creative and independent thinker, and someone who can challenge peers and colleagues appropriately. The module will facilitate some key components of your employability.

More information

DA6016 -

Leadership & Management in Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), Operating Department Practice Skills 5, Leadership & Management in Perioperative Practice, will build on the concepts from years one and two and further enhance your skills. The module focuses on aspects of leadership to build your competence in the delivery of safe and effective person-centred care. You will understand the concept of leadership and its application to perioperative practice, this will prepare you for the challenge of the responsibilities and decision making you will undertake when you become a Registered ODP You will update and explore in greater depth skills you acquired in previous years, including mandatory skills such as basic life support and moving and handling. As well as a range of more advanced techniques and procedures whilst preparing you for your role as a newly qualified operating department practitioner (ODP). In addition, you will build on your knowledge and experience of safe perioperative practice, promotion of health and medicines management in relation to caring for people with acute, complex and advanced conditions. You will develop advanced communication and procedure skills as appropriate to your field of practice.

More information

DA6017 -

Advanced Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The?BSc (Hons)?Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship?programme?work-based route?aims to?ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award?(CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) this module will consolidate the concepts and perioperative interventions from the previous skills modules and be delivered following Operating Department Practice Skills 5, Advanced Skills for Perioperative Practice . Building on your existing knowledge and skills you will enhance your development and become an agile skilled Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) in all areas operating department practice. You will be learning to apply high-level communication skills, previous knowledge and experience as well as your advanced knowledge of perioperative procedures to prepare you for autonomous practice. History taking skills will be developed and used as a framework for enhanced assessment and care of people of all ages. A range of dynamic learning opportunities both in the simulated and real-life practice setting will help to generate evidence, which will aid you in the completion of your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA), demonstrating that you are capable of a high standard of competent, safe and independent operating department practice.

More information

Modules Overview 2024/25

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three

Year one

DA4014 -

Principles of Operating Department Practice (40 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP). This practice module will provide you with a unique opportunity to develop skills and knowledge directly relevant to your current practice placement experiences. The practice module will both support your learning while you are in practice and provide an environment, within university, to consolidate the skills and knowledge necessary to progress effectively. By using a concept curriculum approach, the perioperative practice module will support you to learn how to become an accountable professional, and manage care, and work in teams.

During the first year, you will learn the fundamental skills that are necessary for safe, effective and professional practice across all phases of perioperative practice.

During the majority of your first year clinical placements you will return to university for two days a week to reflect on your experiences. You will learn together with your peers and examine theoretical concepts such as professionalism, interprofessional learning, medicines management and safeguarding that will enhance your practice. Seminars and workshops will focus on a range of subjects that will enhance your professional practice.

You will learn how to develop your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA) and how to reflect on your personal and professional development. You will learn about the importance of patient centred and recovery focussed approaches and will be asked to reflect on feedback given by Experts By Experience (EBE). These skills are the start of your development as an evidence-based practitioner.

More information

DA4015 -

Introduction to Perioperative Evidence Based Practice (20 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), this module will provide the opportunity for you to spend time exploring the various types of evidence that Operating Departmental Practitioners (ODPs) are required to
i) find and ii) appraise iii) use when they deliver care. You will learn to explore the diverse forms of Evidence Based Practice (EBP) that impact upon perioperative practice and examine how theoretical frameworks and knowledge inform clinical decision making within the ODP role. You will learn how to use approaches to identify evidence including exploring, describing, testing and reflecting. You will use a variety of appraisal approaches to explore the research and learn to recognise the key factors relating to weaknesses and strengths with published evidence. You will gather evidence from a number of different perspectives, and these will be explored so that opportunities and limitations can be critiqued and developed.

More information

DA4016 -

Anatomy & Physiology for Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

The?BSc (Hons)?Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship?programme?work-based route?aims to?ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award?(CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) you will acquire an in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology and physical and mental health problems across the age spectrum. These are considered an essential basis for safe and effective practice. This module will enable you to apply biosciences to understand the determinants of health- social, psychological, behavioural, environmental and genomic factors and how they impact on health at a physical and psychological level. You will develop an understanding of the functioning of the body at different levels (cell, tissue, organ, system) and how this knowledge will assist you in delivering safe, holistic, compassionate perioperative care.
You will enhance your understanding of the structure and function of the human body by exploring the complex relationship between health, anatomy, physiology and disease. This will be achieved through an exploration of diseases and conditions that arise from a malfunction of the systems of the body which will include an element of biochemistry and genomics. Pharmacology will be examined in relation to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. You will analyse and apply this information to help you examine the role of the ODP in anticipating the needs of patients, making care decisions and supporting an individual with illness.

During this module you will explore the following concepts:

• Body systems, altered pathology and their relationship to disease and illness
• Assessment and anticipating changing health needs
• Understanding the fundamentals of safe and quality care provision

More information

DA4017 -

Introduction to Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The content of Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) Skills Module 1: Introduction to Perioperative Practice will be informed by the proficiency standards outlined in the Standards of Proficiency for Operating Department Practitioners by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC 2023).

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), the module will introduce you to the concepts and principles of Operating Department Practice and the proficiencies required to care for Service Users during the perioperative period and explore a range of factors which influence care provision as well as Service Users’ needs. You will learn how the role of the ODP addresses those needs within professional, ethical and legal parameters with an emphasis on ensuring Service User and environmental safety. The module will introduce you to the principles of service user safety applied to perioperative practice and to develop an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of members of the inter-professional team when caring for Service Users within the perioperative environment.

You will learn how to observe and assess people of all ages in terms of symptoms and signs of physical ill health. You will learn how to take, record and interpret a patient’s vital signs and use communication tools to support verbal and written reports. An introduction to basic medicine calculation and management will also be part of your learning. These skills and proficiencies will be supported by opportunities to participate in simulated education utilising a range of specialist technology eg laparscopic trainer and laparscopic equipment located in the clinical skills centre equipment and taught by experts. These skills are directly relevant to your practice learning and include procedures that are necessary for safe and effective patient care.

You will be introduced to research underpinning fundamental Operating Department Practice care. You will be equipped with foundational knowledge of research concepts to enable you to make judgements about the quality of the research literature. You will be taught by academics who are research engaged and they will help you to begin to understand Operating Department Practice as an evidence based profession.

Before your first placement you will complete a number of mandatory requirements, ie Basic life support moving and handling, cardiopulmonary resusitation, which will enable you to practice with confidence and ensure patient safety. The learning opportunities in this module are designed to support you to develop knowledge, which will inform the attainment of communication and relationship management skills and Operating Department procedures as identified in Part 1 of your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA).

More information

DA4018 -

Principles of Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The?BSc (Hons)?Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship?programme?work-based route?aims to?ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award?(CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) Skills 2: Principles of Perioperative Practice will build on the concept of communication and safe and effective practice which you have been introduced in the previous skills module. You will further develop your communication and clinical skills relevant to your practice placement experiences. You will continue to learn a range of skills that are necessary for safe, effective and professional practice. You will have the opportunity to participate in simulated education utilising a range of specialist technology e.g. laparoscopic trainer and laparoscopic equipment located in the clinical skills centre equipment and taught by experts. This content will be taught and facilitated by a specialist module team of lecturers in perioperative practice.

You will consider and develop your skills, acting with integrity, applying the principles of the Health and Care Professions Council’s (HCPC) Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (HCPC 2016). You will demonstrate your ability to practise in a holistic, individualised, person centred, non-judgemental, caring and sensitive manner, acknowledging the diverse needs of a contemporary society. You will continue to develop your understanding of team working and its importance in operating department practice. You will learn about the importance of person centred care and effective communication skills. These learning opportunities will continue to help you gather evidence of your abilities and confidence and will inform your attainment of communication and safe and effective practice as identified as part 1 in your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA).

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Year two

DA5014 -

Applied Operating Department Practice (40 Credits)

This practice module will provide you with an opportunity to build upon and extend your portfolio of skills and knowledge relevant to your clinical practice. This module will both support your learning while you are in practice and provide an environment, within university, to consolidate the skills and knowledge necessary to progress effectively. By using a concept curriculum approach, the applied operating department practice module will support you to learn how to become an accountable professional, lead and manage perioperative care, and work in teams.

During your module you will explore clinical decision making in practice through collaboration and partnership working. In your clinical placements you will return to university for two days a week to share your experiences with your peers and module tutors to help develop effective decision making. You will be provided with opportunities to critically reflect on your own role and professional responsibilities in making shared decisions for your continued development as a safe and effective student operatinf department practitioner (ODP). By using a developing concept curriculum approach, you will be able to practise safely and have an awareness of your own limitations, demonstrating increasing autonomy and independence when performing a range of practical skills. You will apply your developing knowledge of pharmacology, social and life sciences to operating department practice.

You will continue to develop your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA) and reflect on your personal and professional development as an evidence-based practitioner. You will reflect on the importance of patient and family centred approaches in addition to the effectiveness of patients and client feedback. Some of your learning will be online via online learning resources stored on the eLP as we help you to facilitate, and organise your independent learning.

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DA5015 -

Developing Evidence Informed Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), you will learn to explore the diverse forms of evidence-based practice (EBP) that impact upon perioperative practice and examine how theoretical frameworks and knowledge inform clinical decision making within the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) role. You will learn how to use approaches to identify evidence including exploring, describing, testing and reflecting. You will use a variety of critical appraisal approaches to explore the research and learn to recognise the key factors relating to weaknesses and strengths with published evidence. You will gather evidence from a number of different perspectives, and these will be explored so that opportunities and limitations can be critiqued and developed.

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DA5016 -

Pathophysiology in Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

The?BSc (Hons)?Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship?programme?work-based route?aims to?ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award?(CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) you will explore the knowledge required to support and underpin the care of the acutely and chronically ill patients who are managed in a variety of perioperative settings, and expand your knowledge regarding the role of the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) in providing safe and effective care to the patient with complex needs. To achieve this you will analyse a range of tools and frameworks and investigate the wider evidence base underpinning perioperative interventions, in addition, you will examine the illness trajectory from acute presentation and diagnosis of a condition to living with a chronic illness and preparing for end of life across all age ranges. This module will support you to understand the relevance and importance of decision-making, problem solving and critical thinking to meet diverse patient needs.
On this module you will explore the biological basis of illness and applied pharmacology to help you problem solve and anticipate the needs of the patient including managing the deteriorating patient and living with complex needs. Evidence based practice will help you to understand and apply contemporary interventions for this patient group, and you will explore management and governance issues related to providing safe, effective and ethically sound care in the acute and chronic periods of illness or accident recovery. The theoretical underpinnings of perioperative care and patient management across a variety of settings will be examined.

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DA5017 -

Developing Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) this module will build on the concepts from year one and introduce more complex skills linked to the proficiency standards outlined in the standards of proficiency for registered operating department practitioners (ODP’s) from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC 2014). This will support your practice learning and help you further develop the knowledge and skills you have gained from your year one clinical placements. The module will help you develop greater confidence and autonomy, allowing you to contribute effectively to a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare providers. This skills module will support your learning while you are in practice and provide an environment, within university, to consolidate the skills and knowledge necessary to progress effectively. While in university you will also be updating, consolidating and learning new communication and perioperative skills, and elements of patient safety to ensure safe and effective practice.

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DA5018 -

Enhancing Clinical Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The?BSc (Hons)?Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship?programme?work-based route?aims to?ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award?(CODP, 2018).
The content of ODP Skills Module 4 will be informed by the proficiency standards outlined in the standards of proficiency for registered operating department practitioners (ODP’s) (HCPC 2023), building upon your knowledge of medicine administration whilst being exposed to the challenges of complex care needs.

As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) your learning on this module will be focused upon interventions associated with people of all ages who have complex care needs. To achieve this, you will explore the principles, approaches and concepts of safe practice within the perioperative setting and the delivery of holistic care to service users. You will undertake accurate drug calculations for a range of medications using a range of routes. You will build your knowledge of safe ethical medicines management with an emphasis on the clinical application of these skills and understanding. There will be a particular focus on the challenges of medicines optimisation in people with complex care needs, which requires understanding of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Alongside this you will learn to develop professional accountability to ensure safe administration of medicines, including competency in drug calculation. You will continue to develop your understanding of team working and its importance in operating department practice.

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Year three

DA6014 -

Advanced Operating Department Practice (40 Credits)

In this third year module which is based in practice, all of your learning will be online via BlackBoard Ultra, except for a single face to face seminar to explain expectations as we help you to facilitate greater independent learning as you transition to become a registered operating department practitioner (ODP). This module will provide you with the opportunity to advance your skills and knowledge directly relevant to your third-year practice placement experiences and prepare you for working life as a registered ODP. It will specifically focus on leadership and management, quality and teamwork, allowing you the opportunity to put into practice concepts of leadership and management developed in module OD6016.

By using a concept curriculum approach, the perioperative practice module will support you to become an accountable professional, working in teams to lead and manage quality perioperative care. Within the context of your practice placements you will critically reflect and debate contemporary theories and explore service improvement models, which support sustainable service improvement. Applying your knowledge of team and interprofessional working you will learn how to coordinate safe and effective high-quality care. This will include a collaborative approach embedding the views of service users, lay carers and colleagues in the delivery and enhancement of care. You will be provided opportunities to critically reflect on your own personal and professional responsibility for your continued development as a manager and future leader of service improvement. You will learn how to manage uncertainty and put into practice the strategies that develop resilience in yourself and others.

Through dynamic learning opportunities in practice you will gather evidence to aid completion of your North East Practice Assessment Document (NE PAD). Through critical reflection and self-assessment, you will complete your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA) demonstrating your capability and readiness for independent practice. The NEPAD for this module has been mapped to the 2023 HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Operating Department Practitioners.

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DA6015 -

Integrating Evidence into Perioperative Practice Development (40 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), you will be learning about the legislative and policy drivers that shape care delivery; locally, nationally and globally. The module examines the tools used to ensure evidence-based practice is delivered, taught, managed, evaluated and adapted to fit the needs of all surgical service users and perioperative staff and associates.
You will learn how to synthesise information and consolidate your knowledge, skills and abilities so that you can move into a more advanced stage of your professional development. You will learn about the accountability and responsibility of managing a team. You will design a practice development dissertation so you can learn about the necessity for scholarship. This will be captured in a formative project proposal focussing on a particular clinical topic; one embedded in the real world of perioperative practice and service user/carer experience. Completing a practice development proposal will provide insight and experience of various stages of inquiry, project management, problem solving and decision-making and the need for emotional intelligence. The module will continue to support your engagement in a holistic and systematic approach to perioperative practice; with critical analysis of systems, models and cross boundary working used in health and social care. During this module, you will learn about the process of transitioning from student to an accountable practitioner; this will encompass your roles as a leader, practice developer, creative and independent thinker, and someone who can challenge peers and colleagues appropriately. The module will facilitate some key components of your employability.

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DA6016 -

Leadership & Management in Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship programme work-based route aims to ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award (CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), Operating Department Practice Skills 5, Leadership & Management in Perioperative Practice, will build on the concepts from years one and two and further enhance your skills. The module focuses on aspects of leadership to build your competence in the delivery of safe and effective person-centred care. You will understand the concept of leadership and its application to perioperative practice, this will prepare you for the challenge of the responsibilities and decision making you will undertake when you become a Registered ODP You will update and explore in greater depth skills you acquired in previous years, including mandatory skills such as basic life support and moving and handling. As well as a range of more advanced techniques and procedures whilst preparing you for your role as a newly qualified operating department practitioner (ODP). In addition, you will build on your knowledge and experience of safe perioperative practice, promotion of health and medicines management in relation to caring for people with acute, complex and advanced conditions. You will develop advanced communication and procedure skills as appropriate to your field of practice.

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DA6017 -

Advanced Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

The?BSc (Hons)?Operating Department Practice Integrated Degree Apprenticeship?programme?work-based route?aims to?ensure that students are able to demonstrate compassionate, safe, evidence-based and effective patient care, across the core areas of practice, at point of successful completion of the award?(CODP, 2018). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) this module will consolidate the concepts and perioperative interventions from the previous skills modules and be delivered following Operating Department Practice Skills 5, Advanced Skills for Perioperative Practice . Building on your existing knowledge and skills you will enhance your development and become an agile skilled Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) in all areas operating department practice. You will be learning to apply high-level communication skills, previous knowledge and experience as well as your advanced knowledge of perioperative procedures to prepare you for autonomous practice. History taking skills will be developed and used as a framework for enhanced assessment and care of people of all ages. A range of dynamic learning opportunities both in the simulated and real-life practice setting will help to generate evidence, which will aid you in the completion of your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA), demonstrating that you are capable of a high standard of competent, safe and independent operating department practice.

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To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.

Operating Department Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship | Operating Department Practice BSc (Hons)

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2023

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Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.

 

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