Starting a career through an NHS apprenticeship is an exciting way to learn new skills while you work, combining real experience in a hospital or healthcare setting with academic study. NHS apprenticeships provide you with the skills and knowledge you'll need to progress in a wide range of careers in healthcare, from clinical roles to support services.
What is an ODP apprenticeship?
The Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) apprenticeship is a way to learn on the job while working towards a university degree. Once completed, you can become a registered ODP with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
ODPs are an essential part of the perioperative team. They work across the three main parts of theatre: anaesthesia, surgery and post-operative recovery. They act as advocates for patients who cannot advocate for themselves, ensuring their dignity, confidentiality, and respect are maintained throughout the perioperative period.
During the 3-year apprenticeship, you'll learn everything a full qualified ODP needs to know. This includes helping the anaesthetist, setting up the operating room, supporting the surgeon during surgery, and looking after patients as they wake up. You'll also learn how to keep good and accurate records to help with patient care.
Here, apprentice ODP Leanne takes us through a typical day in her life whilst training to work in this exciting role.
A Day in the Life - Leanne's ODP Apprenticeship journey
As a busy mum of three and solo parent during the week, Leanne felt an apprenticeship was the ideal path for her to take the next step to find her fullfilling ODP career. She is currently in her third year of the BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice course at Staffordshire University, and while she has found it challenging at times balancing work, studies and parenting, she is looking forward to completing the apprenticeship and working as an ODP.
This is an insight into a typical day in the life of an apprentice ODP on a scrub placement.
"I am currently on scrub placement, where a typical day begins with arriving at work, changing into scrubs, and being on the floor for 8am. From there, I head to my allocated theatre and begin opening up the operating room, starting with safety checks."
"Next, I check the operating list against the instrument trays, packs, and consumables prepared the previous day, cross-referencing them with the surgeon’s Kardex. Any additional equipment required is collected and set up in the operating room. By this time, the surgeons and anaesthetists usually arrive after reviewing the day's patients, and the team brief takes place. This includes a round of introductions and discussions on each patient’s requirements from both surgical and anaesthetic perspectives."
"We then start to prepare for the first patient. When I scrub for a case, I start by preparing my sterile operating gown and gloves, followed by surgical handwashing. Once these steps are complete, I don my gown and gloves and begin setting up. I open my sterile pack on the operating trolley, which has been unpackaged by a circulator, ensuring everything is done using aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT). Once my covers are open, I take the instrument insert from the sterile services department tray and prepare for the procedure."
"Once anaesthesia is complete and the patient enters the operating room, a series of safety checks are performed. This includes verifying the patient’s wristband against the consent form, care plan, and operating list. Once the team confirms all details are correct, we proceed with setting up equipment and applying any additional monitoring. When the surgeon is ready, the assistant or I help drape the patient in preparation for surgery."
"Before the procedure begins, the team pauses to complete a surgical safety step, during which key questions from the patient care plan are read aloud to the entire theatre team. Once this is complete, surgery commences. Throughout the procedure, I assist the surgeon, handing over instruments and equipment as needed. I also track and account for all instruments, swabs, and sharps on my operating trolley, conducting surgical counts at periodic intervals to ensure patient safety."
"When surgery is complete, I perform a final count to confirm that all items are accounted for. A final safety check is then conducted in theatre. Depending on the type of airway in place, the patient is either transferred to recovery, where their airway will be removed safely as they wake, or extubation takes place in theatre by the anaesthetist."
"Once the patient leaves the operating room, the team cleans and prepares the theatre for the next case. As the surgical practitioner, I ensure that all documentation is completed before handing over the patient to the recovery practitioner. As you are working as part of a team, you do not scrub for every case, and when you return to theatre, the next scrub practitioner is usually preparing themselves and setting up."
"Additional tasks include reviewing the next day’s operating list for your allocated theatre, selecting the necessary instrument trays, and gathering consumables based on the performing surgeon’s Kardex, ensuring as much as possible is ready for the team the following day."
"At the end of the day, the team holds a debrief to discuss what went well and what could be improved. The theatre is then deep cleaned and closed."
After a busy day on placement, Leanne's day is far from over! "I'm extremely lucky to have family help, which further enables me to be able to do this course." After collecting her children from their grandparents, Leanne heads home to have dinner with her children and get everything ready at home for the next day.
The next morning, Leanne gets up early to walk her dogs and get her children breakfast and ready for school, before dropping them off with their grandparents and heading into another day of placement.
"Each placement block in a different area of the theatre involves unique checks, tasks, and routines that must be completed daily and in preparation for the next day. Gaining experience across all areas, including specialties such as maternity and A&E, is extremely insightful as a student."
"During university blocks, I feel like my days give me more time. I still rise early to walk my dogs, get my children ready for school, and then make the hour long journey to the University of Staffordshire. The most stressful part is finding a parking space, especially when campus is busy with students."
"University days are structured around lectures (on campus or online), skills sessions, or study days. Skills days are particularly valuable, as they provide hands on experience in an environment that closely resembles real practice. We even wear the university scrub uniform to enhance the experience."
"On study days, we either complete directed tasks or engage in self-directed learning. This time is useful for working on assignments, SafeMedicate tests, and e-learning, however the difficulty lies in not getting distracted by home chores! I enjoy university blocks because it still makes me feel like I’m experiencing university life, even though I’m employed and taking another route."
