Operating Department Practitioner Apprenticeship

Level 6

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are registered healthcare professionals specialising in caring for people of all ages before, during and after surgery, mainly in the theatre complex.

ODPs have expertise in the management and maintenance of a patient safe environment within the operating department. In doing this they utilise highly specialist skills, equipment and materials to deliver a high standard of patient care.

ODPs must also demonstrate confidence, compassion, competence and effective judgement, being responsible for their decisions. They must use evidence-based practice to inform and evaluate the effectiveness of the actions they take with the aim of continually improving outcomes for patients.

Circle Health Group works in partnership with Teesside University to deliver this apprenticeship programme. The apprenticeship normally takes 3 years to complete during which time apprentices are required to undertake a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) approved BSc (Hons) in Operating Department Practice. Completion of the course leads to achievement of the Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency for Operating Department Practitioners. It also confers eligibility to apply for registration with HCPC as an ODP.

Entry Requirements:

Applicants must hold the following qualifications:

• be contracted to work a minimum of  30 hours per week.
• hold GCSEs in English language and  maths at grade 4 (C) or above (or  equivalent).
• demonstrate the appropriate values  and attitudes for the programme  through an interview.
• provide evidence of their ability to  work at Level 3 in an appropriate perioperative environment (e.g NVQ  Level 3 or equivalent).


Other entry criteria may apply, please see  the course page on the Learning Space for  more information

Further information

We have courses running soon: View the next dates for applications

Download a PDF flyer

Please see Learning Space for more information or email learningservices@circlehealthgroup.co.uk