The Operating Department Practice course is mainly based in the South-West, with academic contact primarily at our Joel Joffe Building, Swindon campus. It offers a unique opportunity to develop the knowledge and clinical skills required to deliver care to patients undergoing surgery. During your studies you will gain a very wide range of experience in specialist operating theatre environments and associated clinical areas within the hospital setting, such as adult intensive care. As a member of the operating theatre team, you will work alongside medical and other health care professionals.

Career prospects Post-registration, operating department practitioners (ODPs) can develop their careers in specialist clinical settings. The most common route is a career in an operating theatre department but opportunities are also available in emergency departments and intensive care units. A range of post qualification/registration work opportunities exist, for example in industry, the independent health care sector, the armed forces, research, management and teaching, or you may choose to work abroad. The course leads to a nationally recognised qualification and eligibility to apply for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).