BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice

Program Overview

Wrexham University's Operating Department Practice degree prepares students to become skilled healthcare professionals specializing in operating room procedures through a case-study-based approach. The program emphasizes practical clinical skills and research, with strong partnerships with local NHS Trust and service users. Upon completion, graduates are eligible for professional registration as Operating Department Practitioners, opening up diverse career opportunities in healthcare.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Our Operating Department Practice degree allows students to learn in a manner which matches their future employment as an Operating Department Practitioner. We use a case study format throughout our teaching and assessment, meaning that all content relates directly to the real-life operating theatre environment. The support on offer from the University and teaching team reflects the core values of Wrexham University. We are committed to widening participation and providing support to students. This will be felt by students, as they will play an active part in their own development into professional registration and employment.

Outline:

Our ODP degree programme is structured as a spiral curriculum, meaning that topics are introduced in Year One, and then expanded upon in Years Two and Three.

Year 1 (LEVEL 4)

• Introduction to Operating Department Practice: introduction to the fundamental topics of anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care
• Introduction to Perioperative Clinical Skills: introduction to the practice placement element of being an ODP.
This module will focus mainly on elective, scheduled cases.
• Introduction to Life Sciences (IPE): introduction to the life sciences, including physical anatomy and physiology and mental health
• Foundations in Professional Practice (IPE): introduction to the professional roles and responsibilities of an Allied Health Professional covering topics such as confidentiality, dignity, care, and reflection
• Foundations in Research (IPE): introducing students to the concepts of research, becoming familiar with research articles, assignment writing, and statistics

Year 2 (LEVEL 5)

• Developing Operating Department Practice: expanding on the theory behind anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care
• Developing Perioperative Clinical Skills: more complex skills introduced within the practice element of the programme.
More focus on emergency scenarios, emergency anaesthetics and surgery.
• Applying Life Sciences to Perioperative Practice: re-visiting topics of life sciences with an application to anaesthetics, surgery, and post-anaesthetic care.
Expanding on the considerations for, and treatment of body systems within the perioperative environment.
• Contemporary Studies in Operating Department Practice: exploring policies which govern and shape modern Operating Department Practice, beginning with WHO Safe Surgery Saves Lives
• Evidence in Practice (IPE): exploring how research directly impacts the practice of Allied Health Professionals in their clinical work.

Year 3 (LEVEL 6)

• Advanced Operating Department Practice: exploring the theory behind surgical first assistance, critical care, resuscitation, and caring for patients with complex needs.
• Advanced Perioperative Clinical Skills: the practice placement element of more advanced perioperative practice with placements in departments outside of the theatre department to expose students to a greater depth of their scope of practice
• Research for Practice (IPE): students will complete a research project exploring an area of Operating Department Practice where they will be able to collect their own data.
• Transition to Professional Practice (IPE): students will explore leadership and management theories, preparation for employment and professional registration, and quality policies and procedures.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include:

• Essays
• Presentations
• Examinations
• OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination)

Teaching:

Teaching, learning and assessment will follow a blended approach with online content, videos, small group sessions and practical sessions. We have a case study format throughout, relating concepts to the real-life environment. The Active Learning Framework (ALF) will be used throughout each module, at each level. Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential. We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion team can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Careers:

Our Careers and Employability service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. Career options open to students after completing the course include:

• Operating Department Practice
• Surgical first assistant
• Surgical Care Practitioner
• Physicians associate
Occasional interprofessional education sessions may be delivered from our St Asaph campus with students from various nursing and allied health courses. Become part of a growing nascent profession with excellent employment opportunity Develop knowledge and understanding of multi-professional care, autonomy and accountability within a professional framework and clinical problem-solving skills Case study approach to teaching, learning and assessment with considered assessment plan throughout the year Close collaborative partnership with local NHS Trust Opportunity to become professionally registered with the Health and Care Professions Council