About Operating Department Practice in Canterbury Christ Church University

Our Operating Department Practice course enables you to become a confident, capable operating department practitioner (ODP) who can carry out complex activities in all areas of the hospital operating department and allied healthcare settings. You’ll be guided by staff, within both the University and clinical practice who have  extensive experience in this field of practice and in inter-professional education, which is key to the teamwork needed for patient care.

The course prepares you with the knowledge and understanding to work in a wide range of clinical situations supporting patients as they prepare for, undergo and recover from routine and emergency surgical and anaesthetic procedures. No two patients are the same, no two operations are the same variety and the unexpected are at the heart of operating department practice.

You will explore areas including:

• human biology and health
• advancing anaesthetic practice
• advancing surgical practice
• advancing post-anaesthetic care
• the role of Surgical First Assistant (SFA)
• leadership and management

• seriously ill and highly dependent patient management

You will undertake clinical placements within hospital operating departments and other healthcare practice areas. Working under direct supervision alongside qualified practitioners you develop your knowledge and skills and build an understanding of the patient’s journey and the work of others in their care. On successful completion of the course, you will be a clinically safe and competent practitioners, able to show knowledge and a clinical understanding of the theories and principles of Operating Department Practice.

Why Operating Department Practice?

This course allows you to be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council upon successful completion of the course.

This innovative degree will be your gateway to developing a career as an ODP. Through our course students have gained roles in not only local hospitals, but also London’s major teaching hospitals and internationally in Australia and New Zealand. You can go on to specialise in roles including non-medically qualified anaesthetist (physician’s assistant anaesthesia), physician’s associate, surgical care practitioner, resuscitation training officer, transplant team, accident and emergency, intensive therapy units, management, and education.

The demands placed on Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) mean you will learn to take responsibility for managing all aspects of patient care within the operating department. The course prepares you with the knowledge and understanding to work in a wide range of clinical situations supporting patients as they prepare for, undergo and recover from routine and emergency surgical and anaesthetic procedures. No two patients are the same, no two operations are the same variety and the unexpected are at the heart of operating department practice.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable if you would like to gain a sound knowledge and understanding of operating department practice and become eligible to apply for registration as an Operating Department Practitioner with the Health and Care Professions Council. As an Operating Department Practitioner you will be able to carry out complex activities in all areas of the hospital operating department and allied healthcare settings. In addition to gaining the appropriate knowledge and experience to safely and competently assist with surgical interventions as a Surgical First Assistant (SFA).

Academic qualification equivalents:

• Successful completion of standard 12 th with 60% average and one further year of study

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS         :        6.0, with no less than 6.0 in Writing and no less than 5.5 in Reading, Speaking and Listening.
• TOEFL        :       Total minimum score of 80, with at least 19 in reading, writing and listening.
• PTE            :        overall score of 50 and no PTE communicative skills score below 42

Canterbury Christ Church University Highlights

Canterbury Christ Church University Tuition fee

Canterbury Christ Church University Living Cost

• The weekly living cost for an international student staying at a residential hall/flat/homestay is 384.50 NZD, 305.75 NZD, and 360 NZD, respectively.
• Application deadline for accommodation: December 1 (February intake); May 1 (June intake).