Operating Department Practice with foundation year
Operating Department Practice is the healthcare profession responsible for supporting patients throughout the surgical and anaesthetic process. Operating Department Practitioners work in the perioperative environment, which encompasses the period before, during and after surgery. They assist in the preparation of patients for anaesthesia, support surgeons during operations and care for patients in the recovery phase.
It is a demanding and responsible clinical role that sits at the heart of surgical healthcare and requires a combination of technical skill, clinical knowledge and compassionate patient care.
At Coventry University, the four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, which provides additional preparation for students who want to build their academic and scientific foundations before beginning the full professional degree. The programme develops your understanding of human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, surgical procedures, infection control and the legal and ethical frameworks that govern perioperative practice. Clinical placements are central to the degree, giving you hands-on experience in operating theatre environments under supervision across a range of surgical specialities.
The degree leads to eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as an Operating Department Practitioner, which is required to practise professionally in the UK. Registration is the gateway to employment in NHS hospital operating departments, independent surgical hospitals and increasingly in pre-hospital and critical care environments.
Graduates work primarily in hospital operating theatres, with opportunities to specialise in areas such as cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, paediatric surgery or orthopaedics. Roles in anaesthetic practice, scrub practice and recovery nursing are all within the scope of the profession. Postgraduate study in perioperative practice, advanced clinical practice or healthcare management is available for those who want to develop specialist expertise or move into leadership roles.