Operating Department Practice with Foundation Year

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary

• Qualify with College of Operating Department Practitioners accreditation.

• Learn theory in operating theatres, maternity units, critical care and A&Es.

• Get hands-on practice in a simulated operating theatre, ward and anatomy labs,

• Gain real-world experience in a variety of placement settings.

• Be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Operating department practitioners (ODPs) are the only undergraduate allied health professionals in the UK trained to work in operating theatres. You’ll learn to work effectively alongside anaesthetists, surgeons and others to prepare and assist during surgical and anaesthetic procedures. As an autonomous practitioner, you’ll be able to transform the experiences of care for patients.

If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BSc Operating Department Practice course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation course.

How you learn

This course is designed by practising ODPs registered with the HCPC. You’ll be taught by professionals who are active in their field of practice and research, having worked in many specialisms across health. This wealth of innovative professional knowledge and inter-professional practice experience provides you with an in-depth understanding of what it means to be an ODP in the real world.

You’ll experience a blended approach to learning and teaching – on campus, online and in practice placements within the critical care environment. While specialising as an ODP, you’ll also have opportunities to learn with, from and about practitioners from a range of health and social care professions. This will enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of person-centred care and patient pathways.

Key Themes

You'll start by learning about safe perioperative practice and caring for the healthy elective patient. You'll then learn about co-morbidities in practice and how these may change the care ODPs provide to surgical patients from a holistic perspective. Finally you’ll learn how to overcome and deliver safe care in the emergency environment – being able to safely manage anything that may occur in the perioperative environment.

We’ll develop you from a novice at entry level, towards a skilled graduate who can register with the HCPC upon qualification. You’ll progress through minor procedures towards complex procedures at level 6.

From lectures and seminars to workshops and simulated learning, you’ll prepare to work alongside professionals in the clinical environment. You’ll apply theory to practice – learning by doing. Beyond the basics of operations, you’ll learn the anatomy and physiology alongside the procedure, further increasing your knowledge and understanding.

Applied learning
Work Placements

Throughout your time on the course, you’ll spend time in the clinical practice environment to develop your knowledge and skills – working alongside registered professionals caring for perioperative patients. Here you’ll gain a deep understanding and be able to practise under supervision as a Student ODP.

In our state-of-the-art facilities we’ll prepare you for placement during our simulated placement weeks. Working with your peers you’ll explore case studies and practise the skills needed to care for these patients in a simulated environment.

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Developing The Fundamentals Of A Healthcare Professional
Promotion Of Contemporary Issues In Healthcare

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Collaboration For Individual And Community Wellbeing
Odp Clinical Practice 1
Odp Introduction To Odp And University Life
Odp Principle Roles Of Odp
Personal And Professional Development

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Assessing And Addressing Complexity In Practice
Evidence And Enquiry For Practice
Odp - Clinical Practice 2
Odp Developing Intraoperative Practice
Odp Management And Care Of Acute And Critical Patients

Final year

Compulsory modules

Complexity & Leadership In Professional Practice
Odp Clinical Practice 3
Odp Developing The Practice Educator
Odp Enhanced Perioperative Practice
The Advancing Professional

Coursework | Exam

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Operating Department Practitioners, College of
• Health and Care Professions Council