Job summary
- Main area
- Operating Department Practitioner Apprentice
- Grade
- Band 2
- Contract
- 3 years (Fixed Term)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Lates, nights, on calls, weekends)
- Job ref
- 203-EL949
- Employer
- South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Theatres Warwick Hospital
- Town
- Warwick
- Salary
- £24,465 Goes up a Band on completion of each year
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 09/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Operating Department Practitioner Degree Apprentice
Band 2
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top performing organisations within the NHS. Our staff think this is a great place to work and we hope you will agree. We have recently been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following our most recent inspection.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the whole county. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.
We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Over 6000 people work for the Trust and many of them have been here a long time. People find they don’t need to go elsewhere to find a fulfilling career in healthcare.
The first thing you will notice about us is how we take our values seriously. We believe that our values underpin everything we do. If you are interested in a role with us you need to make sure our values match your own.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide inclusive, safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Probationary Period
All new staff to the Trust will be subject to a standard 6 month probationary period, the details of which will duly follow in your contract of employment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued and respected and that our organisation is representative of all members of society. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual – we value our employees, job applicants, students, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our values of being Inclusive, Safe, Effective, Compassionate and Trusted.
Agile and Flexible Working
All our staff will have a work base. However the Trust operates as an Agile Working Team therefore staff may be working from home on a regular basis as required by the service. However, occasionally travel around Warwickshire and into your base will be required so access to your own transport would be helpful.
The Trust also welcome staff to work flexibly and we would welcome the conversation at interview regarding flexible working.
Staff Benefits
The Trust offer a wide range of additional benefits to staff. Anyone who joins us on a substantive basis can assess things such as the Lease Car Scheme, Electronics Scheme, Discounted Leisure and Travel, Cycle to work scheme amongst many others available.
Car Parking
The Trust currently have limited availability of car parking spaces, as such are operating a waiting list for new starters joining the organisation.
To keep up to date on our latest recruitment activity follow us on twitter @swftrecruit or look us up on Facebook (Recruitment - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust).
Job overview
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWUFT) has roles available for enthusiastic and self-motivated apprentices within the Operating Department.
You will be supported to undertake the 36 month course on a full time basis and will be provided with ongoing assistance and placement opportunities within the peri-operative environment within SWFT. The programme will support you to attain skills and knowledge within anaesthetics, scrub and recovery to enable you to provide high quality, compassionate care to our patients.
You must have a minimum of 6 months experience working in the Operating Department environment and have completed the Care Certificate. You must also meet the entry requirements for Derby University and be fully committed to academic and practical work.
Undertaking an Apprenticeship will allow you to work alongside experienced staff, gain job specific skills, build confidence in the workplace, earn a wage and get the same benefits as other NHS staff members.
We work in partnership with reputable training providers to ensure an inclusive and supportive learning environment is provided throughout your studies.
On completion of your apprenticeship you will receive a Level 6 Operating Department Practice Degree and will be eligible to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registration as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP), which is a requirement to practice under the protected title of Operating Department Practitioner.
Main duties of the job
The Apprentice ODP course is a three-year education program, working towards becoming a registered ODP with a BSc Hons Degree. The course combines work-based and academic learning between the employer/trust and a Higher Education Institute (HEI) approved to deliver the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) approved programs.
As an Apprentice ODP you will be based, as a paid employee, within Theatre Services, South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust. Whilst you will be allocated to one specific area, you will experience working across both internal and external placements to gain an appreciation of the different areas of local healthcare service and meet the HCPC approved programs.
You will have an apprenticeship agreement approved by your employer, and your education provider and yourself. During your course you will be required to achieve the standards as set out by the HCPC, HEI and the Institute of Apprenticeships. On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be able to join the HCPC as a registered ODP.
During the education programme you will develop skills and knowledge that will allow you to work in today’s dynamic and changing healthcare environment. You will be required to commit to self-directed study and successfully complete the education programme within the contract period.
Working for our organisation
Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Job Dimensions
Deliver high quality, compassionate care under the direction of a Registered Nurse/Registered ODP with a focus on promoting patient health and independence.
Successfully complete and pass the academic elements of the programme as specified by the employer, HEI and Institute of Apprenticeship standards. According to these standards you will be required to complete 4,300 hours equally divided between theory and practice as off the job training. You will also be required to complete an apprentice portfolio that demonstrates learning and skills and complete an end point assessment.
Successfully complete the ODP competencies related to HCPC standards as specified by the Trust and the University.
Have sound attitudes and behaviours compatible with NHS Values and Trust values.
Work as part of a designated clinical care team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the patient.
Work with practice assessors and supervisors, taking responsibility for developing your own ODP competence while on placements and attending academic study; maintaining evidence of your learning.
Adhere to the policies and procedures required as an employee of SWFT.
Demonstrate a flexible and dynamic attitude, both to your paid work and academic studies.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required
Age
The Apprentice ODP must be 18 years old or over.
You will need to demonstrate, that you are living permanently in the UK.
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements for the University of 112 UCAS points – or equivalent Level 3 qualification.
A minimum of 5 GCSEs grade A-C (4 or above) including Maths & English or equivalent Level 2 qualifications. Clinical experience may be used in lieu of additional GCSEs.
All qualifications and equivalents will be assessed on an individual basis.
If applying as a candidate for whom English is a second language the applicant should hold an overall IELTS score of at least 7.0 with no element below 6.5.
Completion of the Care Certificate.
Experience
Applicant must have at least 6 months experience working in the Operating Department and must have the support of their manager.
Training
Must undergo training as required.
Need to complete and pass all course modules and clinical competencies within contract period.
Open to other learning opportunities within the Trust.
Special Knowledge
Insight into role and responsibilities of post.
Basic IT skills.
Team working.
Satisfactory verbal and written communication skills.
Disposition/Attitude
Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Patient focused.
Positive and caring attitude.
Practical Skills
Good interpersonal skills.
Effectively communicate with patients and team members.
Organisational Values
Our values are part of what makes us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our values are: Safe, Effective, Compassionate, Trusted and Inclusive Care.
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values.
Additionally, the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:
Respect the contribution of all members within the team and the importance of working together to provide quality patient care.
Commitment to contributing to a quality service in an efficient and effective manner.
Commitment to ensuring each person is entitled to respect, dignity, equal and human rights.
Recognises the importance of confidentiality.
Principal Duties and Areas of Responsibility
During the initial phase of the training programme, all work activities should be under direct guidance and supervision of the Registered Nurse/ODP. As the training programme progresses, following discussion and agreement with Practice Assessors and Supervisors, supervision and guidance will be both direct and indirect.
Act in such a way that always safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults. Is familiar with and adheres to, the SWUFT safeguarding policies.
Clinical Responsibilities – Individual’s Care
Practice based support and training will be facilitated by the clinical educators with training, supervision, assessment, and support provided by a multi-disciplinary team of assessors/supervisors.
As part of this course, you will be required to:
Abide by the principles of the HCPC Code of Conduct.
Work within competency.
Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is always maintained.
Deliver high quality, compassionate care under the direction of a registered practitioner with a focus on promoting health, well-being, and independence.
Work as part of a designated operating department team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the patient.
Work with an assessor/supervisor, taking responsibility for developing your own competence while on placements and attending academic study; maintaining evidence of your learning.
Practice, under supervision, assessing patients in theatres and associated areas, exercising professional judgement to establish patient centred goals and accept, plan, initiate, modify, refer, or cease treatment within prescribed limits.
Recognise disease and trauma processes relevant to perioperative care.
Change practice to account for new developments or changing contexts in what constitutes best practice in perioperative care, through effective change management.
Respond appropriately to emergency situations.
Conduct appropriate diagnostic, monitoring, treatment, and therapy procedures safely and effectively.
Undertake anaesthetic, surgical and post anaesthesia care interventions including managing airways, cannulation, catheterisation, and manual handling/positioning of patients.
Provide individualised care for patients prior to and throughout surgery or other procedures including reassurance and support.
Use a wide range of clinical skills to provide a safe environment during the administration and maintenance of anaesthesia.
Assist the anaesthetist with the use of medical devises and drugs to safely secure and maintain the patient’s airway and stability during anaesthesia.
Preparation of a wide range of specialist equipment and devices.
Position the patient to optimise surgical access, maintaining patient safety and dignity.
Maintain a sterile working area and safely and effectively perform aseptic technique including scrubbing, gloving, and gowning.
Perform scrub skills in accordance with Perioperative Care Collaborative statement.
Selection, preparation, and provision of the correct sterile surgical equipment to the surgeon and be accountable for all surgical instruments, equipment and swabs throughout the procedure.
Anticipate requirements of the surgical team, responding appropriately and effectively.
Ensure correct management of clinical specimens.
Observe and monitor patient’s vital signs. Monitor airway, breathing and circulation.
Maintain the patient’s airway, identifying and responding to changes in patient’s condition.
Monitor and record fluid balance and administer prescribed fluids appropriately.
Monitor the effects of drugs and take appropriate action in response to significant change.
Accurately calculate, administer and record prescribed drug doses.
Assess and monitor individual’s pain status and administer prescribed pain relief appropriately.
Effectively communicate the handover of the patient.
Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities, seeking advice and guidance from the registered professionals as appropriate.
Report back and share information with the registered practitioners/medics on the condition, behaviour, activity and responses of individuals.
Develop an understanding of caring for individuals with particular conditions for example dementia, mental illness, learning disabilities.
Develop skills in relation to coaching/teaching individuals/carers/other staff.
Assist with the implementation and monitoring of clinical standards and outcomes.
Develop a working knowledge of other providers’ resources and referral systems to ensure individual’s needs are met, within parameters of practice.
Engage in reflective practice including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions and reflecting on answers given.
Demonstrate good understanding of principles of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking surgical interventions.
Demonstrate good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act/Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice/guidance from the Registered Nurse/ODP or registered care professional as required.
Policy and Service Development
Promote health and safety, maintaining best practice in health, safety and security.
Share ideas with colleagues to improve care and suggest areas for innovation.
Participate in audit activities being undertaken in area of practice.
Contribute to the improvement of service by reflecting on own practice and supporting that of others.
Adhere to legislation, policies, procedures, and guidelines both local and national.
Regularly attend workplace and staff engagement meetings and contribute positively to discussions about the improvement of care.
Planning and Organisation
Plan and manage competing demands of job role, study and placement activities.
Work in an effective and organised manner demonstrating excellent time management and organisational skills to effectively deliver person-centred care for an allocated group of individuals.
Demonstrate a flexible and dynamic attitude both to your paid work and academic studies.
Deliver effective care following treatment plans determined by the registered care professional and provide feedback on progress against the plans.
For full details of the duties associated with this role please see the attached Job Description.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- • Minimum entry requirements for the University of 112 UCAS points – or equivalent Level 3 qualification
- • A minimum of 5 GCSEs grade A-C (4 or above) including Maths & English – or equivalent Level 2 qualifications. Clinical experience may be used in lieu of additional GCSEs.
- If applying as a candidate for whom English is a second language the applicant should hold an overall IELTS score of at least 7.0 with no element below 6.5
- Completion of the Care Certificate
Experience
Essential criteria
- Apprentice/Learner must be employed in an Operating Department and must have the support of their manager that they will be able to complete programme/apprenticeship
- A minimum of 6 months experience working in an operating theatre
Skills
Essential criteria
- Insight into roles responsibilities of post
- Basic IT skills which might include the use of Teams, Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Team working
- Satisfactory verbal and written communication skills
Other
Essential criteria
- The Apprentice ODP must be 18 years old or over
- Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary)
- Participation in work during unsociable hours as required
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Linda Comyns
- Job title
- Workforce & Development Lead for Theatres
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07870301793
- Additional information
Ext. 8223
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