Operating Department Practitioner

Overview

This course provides the specialist training needed for a career within the operating theatre and other critical care settings, caring for patients undergoing surgery.

As an ODP, your priority will always be the safety of your patient during their most vulnerable moments. You’ll be with them throughout their treatment, from when they are anaesthetised through to their recovery after surgery. In the operating theatre, you’ll be closely monitoring your patient to manage their safety and support their needs.

At Worcester, we believe the best way to learn is through hands-on, practical experience. You’ll be taught through a combination of theory lectures and interactive seminars with skill sessions and immersive simulations. Using state-of-the-art equipment including medical manikins that respond in real-time to treatment, you’ll practice essential skills such as monitoring patients, performing interventions, and administering treatments. Additionally, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of surgical procedures, including anaesthesia and post-operative care.

By working through simulated case studies and clinical scenarios, you’ll have an authentic insight into the role of an Operating Department Practitioner and improve your confidence. You’ll then be able to take what you have learned and apply it to your practice placements, where you will work with real patients and learn the techniques and skills to make a difference.

Your lecturers will get to know you personally. Through tailored support and reflections, they get to understand your strengths and know how to push you to develop. When you start, you’ll be assigned a Personal Academic Tutor, this is usually one of the lecturers teaching your course and they typically remain with you throughout your studies.

Why the University of Worcester?

The University of Worcester is a campus university, meaning everything you need is on site. We’re based in a vibrant cathedral city just 40 mins south of Birmingham and an hour north of Bristol, and our beautiful green campuses have plenty of parking and quality on-site accommodation.

At Worcester, small class sizes, supportive tutors, and professionally focused courses mean you’ll be prepared for your dream career. These are just some of the reasons why we’re first in the UK for both graduate employment and quality education.

• University of the Year finalist in the Times Higher Education Awards 2025.

• First in the UK for sustained employment, further study or both, from any multidisciplinary university – Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) 2017 to 2025.

• First in the UK for quality education – Joint 1st in the Times Higher Education’s University Impact Rankings 2025.

Join us at one of our regular Open Days to see if the University is a good fit for you: www.worcester.ac.uk/opendays

For a breakdown of the modules you'll study each year visit our course page. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of this page and selecting 'Visit our course page'.

For detailed information about assessment, feedback, teaching and contact time visit our course page. You can do this by scrolling to the bottom of this page and selecting 'Visit our course page'.