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Operating department practitioner

Operating department practitioners (ODPs) give skilled care and support to patients before, during and after operations.

Potential salary
£32,000 starter to £48,000 experienced per year
Typical hours
37 to 40. Working pattern: evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts.
Career area
Health and care
Where they might work
You could work in an NHS or private hospital. Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding. You may need to wear a uniform.
A typical task
support patients during anaesthetic, surgery and recovery
Subjects that may help
2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
Typical route
You'll need to study for a degree in operating department practice, which takes 3 years.
Interest area used here
Health and laboratory science, Making, fixing and working outdoors

Career actions

What you might do

  • support patients during anaesthetic, surgery and recovery
  • reassure anxious or vulnerable patients as they get ready for surgery
  • prepare the operating theatre, making sure drugs and equipment are ready
  • provide the team with clean instruments and swabs during operations
  • track data readings on patient monitors
  • be ready to respond to emergencies
More tasks (2)
  • act as a link between the surgical team and other parts of the hospital
  • assess patients for their return to a ward after surgery

Could this suit me?

Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.

  • knowledge of medicine
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of biology
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • sensitivity and understanding
More skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • concentration skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Routes into this career

University route

  • You'll need to study for a degree in operating department practice, which takes 3 years.
  • The course has to be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council .
  • You might be able to get student finance support through the NHS Learning Support Fund .
  • You'll usually need:
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • equivalent entry requirements
  • student finance for fees and living costs
  • university courses and entry requirements

University courses that could lead to this career

These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.

Explore university routes

Apprenticeship or vocational route

  • You may be able to apply to do an Operating Department Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
  • This usually takes 4 years to complete and combines learning on the job with academic study at an approved university.
  • You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
  • equivalent entry requirements
  • guide to apprenticeships
  • search for apprenticeships on NHS Jobs
Career progression
  • With experience, you could:
  • become a team leader or senior operating department practitioner and manage an operating theatre unit
  • move into education, training or research
  • do training approved by the Royal College of Surgeons of England to become a surgical care practitioner
  • train to work as an anaesthesia associate or advanced critical care practitioner

Registration and requirements

you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council

pass enhanced background checks

Subjects that may help

Subject guidance

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

What you could do next