Operating Department Practice Studies

Operating department practice is the clinical specialty concerned with delivering patient care across all phases of surgical procedures, from the pre-operative assessment and preparation of the patient through the intra-operative period in the anaesthetic and surgical environment to the post-operative recovery phase. Operating department practitioners work alongside anaesthetists and surgeons in theatre, combining technical knowledge of anaesthetic techniques, surgical instrumentation, and patient monitoring with the clinical judgement and interpersonal skills needed to care for patients who are often at their most vulnerable.

This three-year, full-time programme at Teesside develops both the scientific foundations and the practical clinical competencies of operating department practice. You will study evidence-based practice and learn to use primary and secondary research, clinical guidelines, and audit data to support clinical decision-making. The programme develops your ability to formulate focused clinical questions, conduct systematic literature searches, and apply research evidence to practice, reflecting the professional expectation that operating department practitioners contribute to the continuous improvement of patient care.

Clinical placement across the three phases of perioperative care is central to the programme and to your professional development.

Successful completion leads to eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as an operating department practitioner, which is required to practise in the profession. Most graduates enter employment within NHS surgical services, working in a range of hospital environments from district general hospitals to specialist tertiary centres. With experience, practitioners can develop specialist skills in particular anaesthetic or surgical subspecialties, and can progress into roles in clinical leadership, education, and advanced practice.

Further study in anaesthetic practice, surgical care, or perioperative science is an option for those who wish to develop clinical expertise.