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Would you like to work closely with surgeons, anaesthetists and other professionals to plan, deliver and evaluate the care of patients who are undergoing surgical or anaesthetic procedures?

This programme will suit highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals who have a specialist interest in the care of surgical patients. The BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice degree will equip you with the clinical and interpersonal skills and specialised knowledge required to plan, deliver and evaluate care to patients during the three phases of perioperative practice: anaesthesia, surgery and post-anaesthetic care.

Whilst studying on this course you will spend time in our specialised clinical skills centre, which boasts state-of-the-art facilities and training equipment that is at the forefront of the sector. The time spent in this environment will help to develop all the key skills required for a successful career within the perioperative environment. Using simulation, practical sessions and workshops, you will be taught how to use a wide range of equipment safely for the caring needs of perioperative patients’.      

If you would like to know more about an alternative route studying ODP then we also offer an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) Degree Apprenticeship. This equips students 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

What skills can I gain during this degree?

Whilst studying an Operating Department Practice degree, you will learn to:

  • Utilise excellent communication and interpersonal skills ensuring safe effective and compassionate care.
  • Develop comprehensive Operating Department Practice abilities to assess, plan, implement and evaluate individualised, holistic, evidence based Operating Department Practice care.
  • Develop team-working skills promoting collaboration and partnership with stakeholders.
  • Promote the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities through raising awareness of health needs and facilitating health enhancing activities.
  • Use lifelong learning and research skills to inform practice and facilitate ongoing continuing professional development.
  • Demonstrate organisational, management and leadership skills in the delivery of high quality perioperative care.

    •  

Why choose Northumbria to study Operating Department Practice?

  • Approved by the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC), successful completion will allow you to apply to become a registered Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), a role that is in high demand both within the NHS and private sector. 

  • Northumbria’s research in Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy is ranked 8th in the UK for research power, out of 91 submissions (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 13 places from 21st in 2014.

  • 100% of students studying Health Sciences at Northumbria thought staff made their subject engaging and believed that their course enabled them to develop knowledge and skills needed for their future (NSS, 2024).

  • Health Sciences at Northumbria is ranked 3rd in the UK for Teaching, Learning Opportunities, and Academic Support (NSS, 2024).

 

Course Information

UCAS Code
B995

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 2025

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

Nursing funding bursaries

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Entry Requirements Modules Overview Fees, Funding  and Scholarships Apply Now

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

112 UCAS Tariff points

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

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

Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

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.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

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

For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidance Please review this information before submitting your application.

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: £9,535

* You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift, as decided by the UK Government, up to the maximum amount for fees permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year. To give students an indication of the likely scale of any future increase, the UK government has recently suggested that increases may be linked to RPIX ( Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments)


International Fee in Year 1: £19,350


Please see the main Funding Pages for 25/26 scholarship information.

 


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. On completion of the programme you will be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the cost is approximately £116.00.

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 2025/26

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

OD4014 -

Principles of Operating Department Practice (40 Credits)

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, lead 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, reflection will be taught in depth on module OD4017. 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

OD4015 -

Introduction to Perioperative Evidence Based Practice (20 Credits)

You will spend time exploring the various types of evidence that Operating Department Practitioner (O.D.P.) are required to find, appraise and 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

OD4016 -

Anatomy & Physiology for Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) require 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

OD4017 -

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 2016).

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 laparoscopic trainer and laparoscopic 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 resuscitation, 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

OD4018 -

Principles of Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

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 and expertise, from within the state-of-the-art clinical skills centre. 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 2023). 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

RV5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Nursing, Midwifery and Health; Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

Year two

OD5014 -

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, 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 Operating 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 Blackboard Ultra as we help you to facilitate, and organise your independent learning.

More information

OD5015 -

Developing Evidence Informed Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

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 (O.D.P.) 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

OD5016 -

Pathophysiology in Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

Within this module, Theory 4: Pathophysiology in Operating Department Practice 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 patients 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 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

OD5017 -

Developing Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

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) (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

OD5018 -

Enhancing Clinical Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

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.

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

RV5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Nursing, Midwifery and Health; Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

Year three

OD6014 -

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 team work, 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

OD6015 -

Integrating Evidence into Perioperative Practice Development (40 Credits)

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 project 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

OD6016 -

Leadership & Management in Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

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

OD6017 -

Advanced Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

This module will consolidate the concepts and perioperative interventions from the previous skills modules and be delivered following Operating Department Practice Skills 5. 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, demonstrating that you are capable of a high standard of competent, safe and independent operating department practice.

More information

Modules Overview 2026/27

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

OD4014 -

Principles of Operating Department Practice (40 Credits)

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, lead 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, reflection will be taught in depth on module OD4017. 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

OD4015 -

Introduction to Perioperative Evidence Based Practice (20 Credits)

You will spend time exploring the various types of evidence that Operating Department Practitioner (O.D.P.) are required to find, appraise and 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

OD4016 -

Anatomy & Physiology for Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) require 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

OD4017 -

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 2016).

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 laparoscopic trainer and laparoscopic 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 resuscitation, 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

OD4018 -

Principles of Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

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 and expertise, from within the state-of-the-art clinical skills centre. 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 2023). 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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RV5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Nursing, Midwifery and Health; Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

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Year two

OD5014 -

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, 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 Operating 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 Blackboard Ultra as we help you to facilitate, and organise your independent learning.

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OD5015 -

Developing Evidence Informed Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

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 (O.D.P.) 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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OD5016 -

Pathophysiology in Operating Department Practice (20 Credits)

Within this module, Theory 4: Pathophysiology in Operating Department Practice 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 patients 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 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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OD5017 -

Developing Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

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) (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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OD5018 -

Enhancing Clinical Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

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.

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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RV5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Nursing, Midwifery and Health; Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

Year three

OD6014 -

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 team work, 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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OD6015 -

Integrating Evidence into Perioperative Practice Development (40 Credits)

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 project 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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OD6016 -

Leadership & Management in Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

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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OD6017 -

Advanced Skills for Perioperative Practice (20 Credits)

This module will consolidate the concepts and perioperative interventions from the previous skills modules and be delivered following Operating Department Practice Skills 5. 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, demonstrating that you are capable of a high standard of competent, safe and independent operating department practice.

More information

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

Operating Department Practice BSc (Hons)

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