BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice
Course Overview
ODPs are highly specialised healthcare professionals who work with patients of all ages in operating theatres and other perioperative environments.The University of Bolton's stimulating BSc (Hons) in Operating Department Practice strikes an equal balance between surgery's technical and scientific aspects and the softer skills that support communication, wellbeing and patient care. It focuses on helping you learn to provide skilled assistance to surgeons and anaesthetists and work alongside nursing and healthcare colleagues to deliver excellent individualised care and support during anaesthesia, surgery and recovery. We'll guide you as you gain the skills, knowledge and behaviours to respond to patients' needs throughout their surgical experience and perioperative care.
The greater part of your studies will be centred on clinical placement at one of our partner trusts, learning the realities of life as an ODP. Studying at the University will complement and enhance your learning in the workplace. We'll support you as you gain core clinical skills and extensive knowledge of specialist equipment and drugs. Developing team-working, leadership, and management skills will be an essential part of your training. We'll encourage you as you learn to support and reassure patients on an emotional level, helping them cope with the stress of surgery.
As an ODP, no two days will be the same. Our dynamic and multi-disciplinary course team will work to prepare you to manage the care of patients scheduled for routine procedures as well as respond to life-threatening emergencies.
Highlights
- This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), so you'll be eligible to register as a qualified ODP when you successfully complete the qualification.
- This employer-led training and qualification opportunity offers you the chance to graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to enter this recognised and in-demand occupation immediately.
- You'll have access to facilities in the flagship £31 million Bolton One building, including our state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Suites, where you'll be able to practice skills and develop knowledge using clinical equipment and simulators.
- This course prepares you to demonstrate the confidence, compassion, competence and effective judgement required of a registered ODP and take responsibility for your decisions.
- We'll support you in gaining essential skills in evidence-based practice. These will inform your actions and help you evaluate their effectiveness so that you can continually work towards improving patient outcomes.
- You'll be guided by staff with extensive experience in this field of practice and inter-professional education, which is key to the teamwork needed within hospitals.
Key Features
- The programme offers you opportunities to develop the academic knowledge, clinical skills, and personal and professional behaviours required to meet the Standards of Proficiency as required by the HCPC (2023). It enables you to apply for registration with the HCPC.
- Career opportunities are expanding for the registered ODP. On completion of the course, you'll be able to work in a variety of hospital environments, including operating theatres, pre-admission wards, intensive care units, accident and emergency units, and diagnostic and procedural units, such as endoscopy and cardiac catheter labs.
- The course offers you the underpinning knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to provide patient-centred care and manage the preparation and safe running of the surgical environment, including effective multidisciplinary team working, specialist equipment and medicines.
- We'll focus on building your competencies so you are ready to anticipate and respond to the requirements of the surgical team and act as the link between this team and other parts of the operating theatre and hospital.
- We'll support you as you develop skills and knowledge of clinical practice, including your awareness of patient safety, human factors, and legal, ethical and professional boundaries.
- We foster collaboration between clinical and academic practitioners to promote an interprofessional-centric student experience.
- Resus Council-accredited intermediate life support (ILS) training is integrated into your studies.
- We carefully plan our assessment strategies to make them meaningful for your ODP studies and work-based learning environment; for instance, surgical digital information package, clinical audit, and pharmacology pathway booklet.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Entry Requirements
- 112 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T-levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
- Please note that this course is only available to Home students.
- Your Level 3 subjects must include a relevant subject; for instance, A-level Biology or BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science or Health and Social Care. Examples of relevant subjects include health and social care, human biology, biology, physics, chemistry, psychology, mathematics and social science. Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking will not be counted towards the UCAS point requirement.
- You must also have at least five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English, Mathematics and Science. Please contact us for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents.
- You don't need to have prior experience working in healthcare, but you must have a passion to care for others.
- You'll need to provide evidence of recent study, professional development or work experience, as well as demonstrate an understanding of healthcare professional standards, the ODP profession and patient care delivery in the perioperative setting.
- Qualifications gained outside England and Wales will be assessed on an individual basis according to guidance by the HCPC.
- If your application is successfully shortlisted, then you'll be asked to attend an interview. The interview process will involve face-to-face interviews with academic staff, practice staff and service users. You'll also be assessed on your values, behaviours, communication and problem-solving skills, and undertake a numeracy and literacy assessment. We're seeking students who can demonstrate a commitment to a healthcare career, who have excellent communication skills and who are caring, compassionate and assertive.
- If you're successful at the interview stage, you'll be asked to undergo occupational health screening and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- You'll be required to satisfactorily pass occupational health screening.
- You'll need to demonstrate that you are of good health and good character prior to enrolment and on an ongoing basis throughout your studies and career.
- We work with numerous NHS trusts across the North of England. Should your application be successful and you choose to take up our offer of a place, please note that your practice learning will be subject to rotation to ensure you can gain an appropriate range of experience. Normally, your clinical placements will take place within one trust, but we cannot guarantee this.
- This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 7.0 with normally no less than 6.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- The University of Bolton recognises prior learning, whether gained through academic credit and qualifications or through your professional and employment experience. Previous learning may be used towards meeting the entry requirements for this programme or for exemption from part of this programme. It is your responsibility to make a claim for recognition of prior learning, and each claim will be considered in accordance with the University’s policy and regulations for the recognition of prior learning.
- Please note that it's not possible to join this course at Level 3 (HE6). Applications to join the course at Level 2 (HE5) will be considered.
- You'll need to ascertain if you're eligible for a student loan via Student Finance England or will need to be able to self-fund.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
We'd be delighted to chat with you about the course and your future career as an ODP. Please sign up for one of our Nursing & Midwifery open events where you can meet our staff and learn more about the University and our student support services.
Operating department practice is an exciting, fast-changing field with opportunities to work across different surgical and anaesthesia specialities. Our highly practical course is designed to develop clinical knowledge, skills and behaviours for working in operating theatres and wider perioperative settings.
After graduation, and once you've registered as an ODP with the HCPC, you'll be expected to take responsibility for a patient's welfare and personalise their care activities. You'll work as part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals from various clinical disciplines. You may find work in any of the three phases of perioperative care – anaesthesia, surgery or recovery – or in a role that combines all these areas.
As a graduate, you'll possess in-depth knowledge and application to practice in areas such as anaesthetic, surgical and post-anaesthetic care, anatomy and physiology, medicines management, leadership and clinical governance, and infection prevention and control. You'll be adept at planning and time management, and have a clear understanding and appreciation of the role of other healthcare professionals.
Please note this programme is not a direct route to nursing or medical programmes. It's designed to prepare you for the vital and rewarding role of an ODP.
What can I do with this qualification?
You'll be able to consider further training and development in areas such as management, education, clinical research and advanced practice. Experienced ODPs can take further training approved by the Royal College of Surgeons to work as surgical care practitioners. This would qualify you to complete specific surgical procedures under the supervision of a consultant surgeon.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers, bearing in mind that relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these roles include:
- Public health
- Management
- Armed forces
- HE teaching
- Clinical research
- Universities
Professional Recognition
The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the College of Operating Department Practitioners (CODP).
Upon completing the course, you'll be required to apply for professional registration as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Whilst studying this course, you must adhere to the HCPC Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for Students (2016), in addition to University behaviour and fitness to practice regulations.
After qualifying as an ODP, you'll need to be committed to learning and always keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date. To maintain your registration to practice with the HCPC, you'll need to continue to meet their standards of proficiency, and conduct, performance and ethics standards.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
Year of study | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Entry Year | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | |
2024-25 | £9,250 | £9,250 | £9,250 | - | £27,750 |
2025-26 | - |
International Fees
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
If you wish to apply for multiple institutions or multiple courses at Bolton for September entry, then apply through UCAS
You can apply for up to 5 courses through UCAS (at the same or different institutions) for a fee of £27. Alternatively, if you only wish to apply for a single course at a single institution then a reduced applicant's fee of £22.50 is applicable.
The online application form and guidance notes are available on the UCAS website.
You will need the following information to complete your UCAS application form:
Institution Code Name: BOLTN
Institution Code Number: B44
Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com
If you wish to apply for a single course offered by the University of Bolton for any intake, you can apply directly
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply directly to the University using our online application form shown below.
A direct application to Bolton provides the following features:
Free of charge to apply
Secure, simple and streamlined
Contact us directly for any admissions queries
Regular updates on your application directly from the University
Invites to offer holder events and taster sessions where you can meet your future tutors and get a flavour of university life
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to Bolton. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to Bolton.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Bolton, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice - 22 April 2024
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Apply online: University of Bolton BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice - 16 September 2024
International Applicants
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Partner Organisation Applicants
University of Bolton Group Partners
Bolton College
University Collegiate School
Alliance Learning
University of Bolton
For valued members of the University of Bolton Group and progressing students, we try to make our application process as simple and as fast as possible.
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply free of charge to the University. By selecting the appropriate link from the list shown below, you will be taken directly to our online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this, and ensure you upload all supporting documents such as certificates and your personal statement when you apply.
When you are asked to add a contact email address, please ensure you add your college/university email account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact address, we will be unable to identify you as a partner and offer you the benefits of being part of our group.
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to Bolton. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to Bolton.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Bolton, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including email addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
-
Apply online: University of Bolton BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice - 22 April 2024
-
Apply online: University of Bolton BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice - 16 September 2024
We look forward to receiving your application and you continuing your academic journey with us!
Teaching & Assessment
Modern ODPs require a range of skills and values, and our practice partners and tutors will help you gain an understanding and experience of perioperative care. We'll support you as you develop your skills in a safe and supportive environment. Learning focuses on the workplace environment, so you'll spend the majority of your time in practice gaining on-the-job knowledge and experience, and devote the rest of your time to university learning and independent study.
Your practice placements will be based at our partner NHS Trusts; for instance, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust (please note, considerable travelling may be required). As you progress through the course, we'll guide and encourage you to draw on your practice placement experience while studying theory and apply the theory learned to your practice so that you can understand how the two complement each other.
We offer a wide variety of learning opportunities designed to arouse your curiosity and support your personal learning journey. Work-based learning and formal face-to-face timetabled sessions are combined with extensive online resources and our community of students, university tutors and practice educators. Our blended approach includes lectures, presentations, simulations delivered by tutors, seminars, tutorials, problem-based enquiry and work-based learning. The course is highly interactive, requiring you to collaborate with colleagues in the workplace and fellow students. Online and face-to-face learning and discussion will be essential. You'll also need to undertake a significant amount of guided independent study, such as background reading, preparing for seminar activities, and working on assignments.
To help support your learning, the University also offers additional study skills sessions, such as essay writing, library skills and electronic searching, and numeracy.
You can expect a range of assessment methods, such as coursework assignments, practice competencies, problem-based learning and examination of practice. The assessment of practice and theory both contribute to the final award.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Foundations of Operating Department Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology in Operating Department Practice
- Fundamentals of Operating Department Practice
- Legal and Ethical Considerations in Operating Department Practice
- Infection Prevention and Control in Operating Department Practice
- Developing Anaesthetic and Surgical Practice
- Evidence and Enquiry for Practice
- Clinical Governance and Service Improvement
- Developing Post-Anaesthetic Care Practice
- Pharmacology in Operating Department Practice
- Applying Operating Department Practice
- Managing the Deteriorating Patient
- Advancing Skills in Critical Care
- Professional Leadership and Development
Assessment methods
Level | Assessment method |
---|---|
Level 1 | Coursework 40% Practical exams 40% Written exams 20% |
Level 2 | Coursework 50% Practical exams 40% Written exams 10% |
Level 3 | Coursework 40% Practical exams 50% Written exams 10% |
Learning Activities
Level | Activity |
---|---|
Level 1 | Guided independent study 9% Placement/study abroad 71% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20% |
Level 2 | Guided independent study 9% Placement/study abroad 71% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20% |
Level 3 | Guided independent study 9% Placement/study abroad 71% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.