Job overview

This is a developmental role to work towards attainment of a Level 6 BSC (Hons) degree qualification through successful completion of the operating department practitioner apprenticeship degree programme.  Successfully qualified staff are also required to meet the professional standards of the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practice.

Students will develop and maintain knowledge, skills and competencies related to the role of Operating Department Practitioner within the service and through completion of the Operating Department Practitioner apprenticeship programme which includes working in a variety of clinical placements within the service and delivery of person centred care.

The degree apprenticeship programme combines and integrates both academic and work based learning through close collaboration between Wye Valley NHS Trust and the education provider. The apprentice will therefore be required to complete an agreed tripartite contract.

The opportunity is open to applicants  who have recent evidence of working within the theatre environment.  Successful applicants will be placed on a secondment contract and be based, as an employee, within Wye Valley NHS Trust in the operating department whilst completing this programme. 

Main duties of the job

Whilst in work, the apprentice will work as an integrated member of the team, delivering person centred care.  They will, over the duration of the course, develop and build their clinical skills under the support from senior colleagues within the team.  Guidance on academic and work based issues will be readily available from senior colleagues as necessary.

Learners study the core subjects of anatomy, physiology, and pathology in order to apply these to clinical situations. They learn to work with specialist equipment and develop high levels of technical skills in managing patients throughout the preoperative care setting.

There is a blended learning approach across university teaching and clinical practice. Learners spend approximately 80% of their time in clinical settings under the supervision of clinical mentors, who remains a source of support throughout the programme.

Apprentices have the opportunity to put theory into practice using facilities to support their clinical skills, and use simulation equipment to develop their clinical skills in a safe environment.

Working for our organisation

Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT , the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we’d want for our family and friends.

More than 3,500 people work for the Trust – they tell us it’s a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.

We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.

Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: “The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential.”

Our values - Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time…all the time.