Course overview
Health facilities at Teesside University
Check out Teesside University’s facilities for the School of Health and Life Sciences.
Over the 3-year course, you work within the entire perioperative environment across a variety of surgical specialities. You assist anaesthetists and surgeons alongside the wider multidisciplinary team and gain experience in various NHS and private hospitals.
This patient-centred course equips you with the knowledge, skills and understanding to contribute to healthcare delivery in a dynamic and fast-moving surgical environment. Graduates of the course will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Gain practice and experience across a variety of perioperative areas including general surgery, orthopaedic surgery, ear, nose and throat, obstetric surgery, anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic care. Over 50% of the course is spent in hospitals on a rotation basis throughout the North East, alongside experienced clinical staff and previous Teesside ODPs. You follow various shift patterns including nights and weekends to gain the maximum learning experience. You are supported by evidence-based learning in lectures, seminars and practical activities in our clinical skills labs and simulated operating theatre. Your learning is underpinned and enhanced by the academic team who have decades of collective experience in theatre settings.
Top reasons to study this course:
- Financial support: you may be eligible for a £5,000 maintenance grant each year from the NHS Business Service Authority. Find out more. You can apply for our Placement Support Fund if you are experiencing financial difficulties attending your placement. Find out more.
- Placement opportunities: gain valuable learning experiences and specialised training in hospital theatres across the North-East.
- Industry-standard facilities: our bespoke simulation suite gives you realistic training experience.
- Mentoring and coaching: as part of the third year module delivery, successful students gain 20 credits at Level 6 in mentoring and coaching, giving you vital preparation for mentoring student ODPs once qualified.
Supporting information for applicants
Course details
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
An Introduction to Evidence-based Practice for Health Professionals
You are introduced to evidence-based practice and sources of evidence: primary and secondary research, guidelines, audits and evaluations. Consider how to use sources of evidence to support clinical decision-making and develop skills in formulating focused questions, developing effective search strategies and literature retrieval.
Foundations of Perioperative Care
You are introduced to the foundation knowledge for perioperative practice with an emphasis on reducing the risks of infection in the operating department. Using an evidence-based approach and making reference to local and national guidelines and policies, this module introduces the principles of safe perioperative practice. Where appropriate, selected content from human biology, physics and chemistry is included. Within the context of infection prevention, you recognise your professional responsibilities and apply given tools and techniques to justify your practice. This equips you with the basic knowledge and understanding of key principles required to enter the practice environment.
Introduction to Human Physiology for Healthcare Professionals
This multidisciplinary module introduces basic processes principles and concepts of human physiology required by a range of health professionals, including healing and repair processes.
Perioperative Practice Year 1 for ODP
This module develops your knowledge and skills to actively participate in patient care associated with theatre interventions linked to portfolio competencies. You’re placed in a variety of theatre placements to work towards developing competency in the three areas of operating department practice – anaesthesia, surgery and recovery.
Professionalism for Health Professionals
You develop an understanding of your role in the delivery of contemporary health and social care within the context of interprofessional practice and behaviour, preparing you for the demands of practice and ensuring you are sufficiently informed and equipped to practice safely. The module will also introduce you to the concepts of continuous professional development and lifelong learning and the tools to demonstrate this through the use of the e-portfolio. This will prepare you to produce evidence of professional development to maintain your professional registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council or General Dental Council.
Year 2 core modules
Clinical Decision Making in the Perioperative Environment
This module develops your ability to apply, relate and critically analyse evidence-based knowledge that underpins current perioperative practice. The main focus is on clinical decision-making and the effective use of the assessment process to ensure individualised care and applying safe practice within the perioperative environment.
You develop the knowledge and skills to promote independent learning whilst exploring the wider legal, ethical and governance issues that contribute towards the advancement of contemporary perioperative practice. You choose a specific aspect of perioperative care to use as the basis to demonstrate the effective application of theory to practice.
Dissertation Planning for Health Professionals
Build on your knowledge of different research methodologies, designing a project using primary or secondary research methods.
You develop your operating department practitioner understanding of pharmacology, specifically drug groups used for patients undergoing operative procedures. You do this through a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars delivered over seven days and followed by a summative unseen exam. The module develops your knowledge of the methods of storing, handling, preparing and administering of drugs in the operating department environment.
Perioperative Practice Year 2 for ODP
Following on from Perioperative Practice Year 1 for ODP, this module further develops your knowledge and skills to actively participate in the patient care associated with theatre interventions linked to a portfolio of competencies.
You are placed in a variety of theatre placements to develop competency in the three areas of operating department practice - anaesthesia, surgery and post anaesthetic.
Final-year core modules
Advancing Perioperative Practice for ODP
Build on the practice/clinical skills and knowledge you need to achieve the Health and Care Professions Council proficiency standards for ODPs. You are placed by your practice placement educator in a variety of theatre placements to develop your knowledge and skills across the appropriate areas in anaesthetic practice, surgical scrub and post anaesthetic care. You work alongside practice mentors to maintain your practice competencies and achieve a range of advancing clinical skills, including interpretation of blood gases, urinary catheterisation and intravenous cannulation.
Developing Leadership and Service Improvement Skills for the Future Ready Healthcare Professional
Develop your knowledge and understanding of healthcare, statutory and professional policy. Explore their impact on patient care, professional practice and service delivery. Consider theories and concepts related to continuous professional development such as leadership, human dimension of change and quality improvement. You provide evidence of your personal and professional development using an e-portfolio to demonstrate critical reflection and action planning. This ensures you are prepared for the demands and expectations of your role as future-ready healthcare professional and could seek employment in traditional and non-traditional settings.
Dissertation for Health Professionals
Consolidate and further develop the knowledge and skills you gained during previous modules. You carry out the project you designed at level 5. Preparation includes completing the ethics application, all supplementary documentation, designing data collection forms and ensuring the topic is approved. You are allocated a supervisor who provides up to eight hours of one-to-one support through an agreed method of communication. Taught sessions are on data collection, analysing and synthesising meaningful data, and writing for publication.
Preparation for Mentoring and Coaching in the Operating Department
Prepare for mentoring and coaching when qualified. You critically reflect on your own skills and apply the mentoring/coaching training theory to develop and learn new skills. Practice opportunities allow you to apply theory with other ODP students.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You will engage in key lectures, seminars and workshops. Practical workshops will be a key feature within the simulated theatre suite where you will practice in a realistic safe environment using SimMan technology to enhance your learning.
How you are assessed
Each module is assessed separately, using a variety of methods including examination, practice portfolio, poster presentation and written assignments. Feedback is given throughout the course on practice skills and academic assignments to prepare you for your final assessment.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
You are expected to have:
- a minimum of two GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above including English language and maths. Key Skills/Functional Skills Level 2 in Communication and Application of Number can be accepted in place of English and maths GCSE. Please note these are not required if you are doing an Access course – however, you must have English and maths as listed below.*
Plus any of the following qualifications:
GCE and VCE Advanced Level
96-112 points from two or three A levels, or equivalent T levels.
AS Level
One AS level can be accepted when combined with two or three A levels to meet the 96 points required.
Access course
96-112 UCAS points from a QAA-recognised course (any combination)
*We can accept level 2 Access units in communication and maths in place of English and maths GCSEs.
BTEC QCF Extended Diploma
96-112 points (MMM).
CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care
96-112 points (C) in health and social care.
Foundation degree
A pass in any subject.
Irish Leaving Certificate
96-112 points from four or five Highers/Honours subjects.
NVQ
Level 3 plus 40 credits at level 4 in any subject.
Open University
60 credits at Level 4 with the Open University, or a CertHE pass in any subject.
Scottish Highers
111 points from four or five Highers.
Advanced Scottish Highers
96-112 points from three Advanced Highers.
For further detailed entry requirements for this course please visit www.ucas.com
- The selection process includes shortlisting of your application, following which, if successful, you will be invited for an interview.
Shortlisting criteria
Your application will be measured against the following criteria:
- Your ability to complete all sections of the application form fully and correctly
- The level of all qualifications and grades are specified
- Appropriate academic entry requirements achieved or predicted
- Personal statement supportive of chosen course and demonstrates an understanding of the uniqueness of the profession and the role of the professional
- A satisfactory reference
If you are invited to interview and the date is not suitable we may not be able to offer you an alternative date due to the high volume of applications received for this course - but it is important that you contact the Admissions Office immediately.
Interview criteria
At the interview you will be measured against the following criteria which is mapped against the NHS Constitutional Values (DH, 2013): NHS Constitution
- Knowledge of chosen profession/career
- an appreciation of the demands of the course and chosen profession
- enthusiasm for the course/profession
- ability to communicate effectively both verbally and non verbally
If you are successful in both shortlisting and interview you will receive a conditional offer which is subject to the following:
- Evidence of achievement of any required academic qualifications
- A successful work based risk assessment which will reflect the HEOPS recommendations - please read these here. For more information on all of the HEOPS standards click here
- An enhanced criminal history (DBS) check may be required for certain modules or placements which involve working with children and/or adults at risk. The DBS check is funded by the School of Health & Life Sciences so you do not need to pay for this process.
- A satisfactory reference
International applicants
- International applicants must have IELTS 7.0 with a minimal score of 6.5 in all sections or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 100/120 (in conjunction with a Teesside University English language test)* before an unconditional offer is made
- If you are successful at shortlisting you will be invited to attend an interview (which may be in person OR video call) in one of our international offices in either India, Malaysia or China, or through a secure web link (which will be arranged by the University).
- If you can not attend an interview as stated, you will be unable to proceed with your application.
*Students holding TOEFL qualifications at the required grade will be able to combine the qualification with a Teesside University English language test to meet the English language requirement. The English language test will assess listening and speaking competency.
For international enquiries please email internationalenquiries@tees.ac.uk
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
Employability
Career opportunities
A qualified ODP is trained in all areas of theatre work and can specialise in surgery, anaesthetics or post-anaesthetic care. New areas of practice are also opening up to the ODP such as accident and emergency, intensive care units and specialist theatres. Career opportunities exist within NHS hospital trusts and private hospitals, primary care trust clinics and the armed forces.
You can progress to postgraduate study to develop to an advanced role and surgical care practitioner skills alongside surgeons. You can also develop your role through teaching, or pursue theatre management roles.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.
DipHE Operating Department Practice*
BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Studies
BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice Studies
