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Operating Department Practitioner

Do you want to become a Operating Department Practitioner? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Operating department practitioners (ODPs) are an important part of the team of people in operating departments helping the surgeon and anaesthetist. They undertake many tasks to ensure the smooth running of the operating department of a hospital.

The work can involve:

• preparing drugs and equipment
• making sure instruments have been cleaned and sterilised
• handing over equipment to the surgeon
• ensuring that no surgical swabs or equipment have been left inside the patient
• monitoring patients until they have recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic.

Hours are normally 37 per week working shifts, including evenings and weekends. They may work overtime and be on call for emergencies. The work is mainly in operating theatres, anaesthetic areas and recovery rooms.

The salary, once qualified, ranges from £12,029 to £35,982.

Operating department practitioners should be:

• caring
• able to work in a team
• calm under pressure
• able to take responsibility.

There is a growing demand for ODPs in all parts of the country.

Although there are no specific requirements, good GCSEs/S grades (including English, maths and two sciences) are an advantage. There may be an entry test. Applicants also need to be over 18.

Training usually lasts two years, and most departments prefer ODPs to do an additional qualification up to degree level.

For experienced staff, there are opportunities for promotion to team leader or senior ODP, and to take on responsibility for theatre management. Some may move into education and training.

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