First year:
You will learn a range of clinical skills, including scrubbing up, carrying out blood pressure checks, inserting cannulas, managing airways and performing basic life support. Using our simulation facilities, you will practise these skills on manikin patients.
We also cover anatomy and physiology, including developing an understanding of the respiratory and immune systems. You will learn about safe medication practices as well.
There will be an introduction to the role human factors play in patient safety. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend a service users’ conference to hear patients’ experiences of healthcare.
Second year:
On your practice placements and through simulated learning, your clinical skills will become more advanced, covering areas such as shared airway and shared life.
You will explore what happens in recovery – a vital part of an operating department practitioner’s work. It could involve removing tubes, airway management and arrangements for discharging patients.
For a module on holistic care, you will be able to gain insights from real service users. You’ll learn about caring for patients with comorbidities and more complex needs, such as diabetes and Parkinson’s.
Third year:
You’ll learn how to deal with clinical emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, sepsis, malignant hyperthermia or a severe allergic reaction. You’ll simulate an emergency, where you have to manage the situation.
On placements, you will be expected to work more independently. You’ll also get an insight into emergency trauma and A&E.
You will do a Resuscitation Council course on intermediate life support, giving you official certification. You’ll also carry out a research project, involving an extended literature review.
We’ll look at your transition towards becoming a registered ODP professional and the responsibilities your role will entail.
The course operates on a modular basis. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.
All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.