Operating Department Practice Degree Apprenticeship

The module underpins the apprentice's theory and practice and provides them with information regarding research into their area of work and rationale for why they carry out the care in certain ways.

Learn the core skills, values and behaviours that underpin health and social care and the professional standards you must follow from regulators and professional bodies.

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.

You develop 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.