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School of Healthcare Sciences

Diploma (HE) in Operating Department Practice (ODP)

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What is an ODP?

ODP - Operating Department Practitioner

An ODP is a Registered Health Care Professional who works as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide care for patients before, during and after surgery in the Operating Department environment.


Applications are invited for 2012 entry

The Operating Department Practice Programme is a two year Diploma Course offered by the ODP Training Centre at the School of Healthcare Sciences delivered in conjunction with the Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board in North Wales.
Download thes files for applicants:

CLOSING DATE 27th APRIL 2012

Minimum Entry Requirements

Entry stage Entry requirements

For School Leavers

5 GCSEs - minimum Grade C.
Welsh/English and Mathematics essential and Science is preferred.
Minimum age 18 years at commencement of ODP Programme 2012.

For Mature Students

Proven ability to work on own initiative and to study at this level within the last five years.

For further information please contact hss801@bangor.ac.uk or 01248383123;

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemption Orders 1975)

Please note: As these training posts involve direct contact with people receiving health care they are exempt from the provision of the above Act and applicants are required to give details of all previous convictions etc, including any spent convictions.

About the ODP programme

ODP students are employed as salaried members of staff by the Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board for the duration of the programme, specifically to be trained as an ODP - the training salary will be well in excess of £10,000 per annum. All successful applicants for the ODP Programme are subject to Occupational Health Checks and Criminal Records Bureau Checks prior to commencing the programme.

For the first two weeks of the programme students remain with their employing Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board hospital acclimatising to the Operating Department Environment. During the following two weeks the students meet as a cohort and commence the academic component of the programme at the ODP Training Centre which is located within the School of Healthcare Sciences. 

Thereafter students will rotate between practice allocations of approximately six weeks at their base hospital and two week study blocks at the ODP Training Centre. At the end of the first year there will be a three month period of practice placement after which successful students will progress to the second year, which follows the same pattern of delivery. Throughout the eight modules of the programme, theory and practice are closely integrated with assessment of students being made over the two years by a total of eight written assignments and continuous assessment of their practice learning outcomes.

Being located within a School of subject experts and closely linked to three clinical environments staffed by a wealth of professional expertise, the ODP students benefit from the involvement of many specialists contributing to the delivery of their training. In addition to formal lectures students will attend Anatomical Dissection, Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board Study Days, ODP Conference, Clinical Observation Visits to Specialist Hospitals, and other specialist events specifically arranged for them.

Upon completion of the second year, successful students will qualify as ODPs and become eligibile to apply for Registration as Practitioners with the Health Professions Council. An invitation will be issued to successful students to celebrate their achievement with fellow graduates by attending the formal Graduation Ceremony held by the University each July.

The Delivery Of The ODP Programme

Education Provider

ODP Training Centre, School of Healthcare Sciences, Bangor University

ODP Programme Leader ~ Mr James Caveney
Direct Line ~ 01248 388420

ODP Programme Lecturer ~ Mr Andy Roden
Direct Line ~ 01978 316364

Practice Placement Provider

BCUHB
Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor

ODP Practice Facilitator
Mr Arwel Jones
(Senior ODP)


Direct Line ~ 01248 385056

BCUHB
Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan

ODP Practice Facilitator
Mr Ian Wray
(Senior ODP)


Direct Line ~ 01745 448736

BCUHB
Ysbyty Maelor, Wrexham

ODP
Mrs Tracey Radcliffe
(Quality Co-ordinator)

Direct Line ~ 01978 726046

The Core Aims Of The ODP Programme:

  • To optimise the management of the student to work with others, ensuring effective practice.
  • To promote the rights/equality of all individuals within operating department practice.
  • To deliver effective individualised peri-operative care to the patient.
  • To respond to demands from technical innovation and changing patterns within health care and the peri-operative environment.
  • To select and implement research to improve evidence-based practice.
  • To apply knowledge and understanding of issues that affect operating department practice.
  • To adapt practice to changing demands.

Useful links

For further information and informal enquiries please contact:

  • Mr James Caveney
    (ODP Programme Leader)~ 01248 3838420
    or
  • Mr Andy Roden
    (ODP Lecturer) ~ 01978 316364


    APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2012 OPD INTAKE ARE NOW BEING TAKEN