How to Become an Operating Department Practitioner in the UK
Operating department practitioners (ODPs) care for patients before, during and after surgery. You might prepare anaesthetic equipment and support the anaesthetist, work as the scrub practitioner handing instruments to the surgeon, or look after patients in recovery until they are stable. ODPs work mainly in hospital operating theatres, and also in A&E, obstetric theatres and critical care.
ODP is a protected title regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To practise, you must complete an HCPC-approved operating department practice degree or degree apprenticeship, then register with the HCPC.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £31,049 (NHS Band 5)
- Mid-career salary
- £35,000 - £43,000
- Senior salary
- £50,000 - £65,000
- Work environment
- Operating theatre
- Time to entry
- 3 years (BSc)
- Degree required
- Often required
- Category
- Healthcare and Care
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: Stable careers, Career change.
What a Operating Department Practitioner does
Support surgical teams before, during and after operations - the team's third clinical pillar.
- Anaesthetics - Assist the anaesthetist during surgery.
- Surgical Practice - Scrub role in theatre supporting the surgeon.
- Recovery - Look after patients waking from anaesthetic.
- Trauma and Emergency - Theatre work in trauma and emergency settings.
How to become an operating department practitioner in the UK
The main route is a BSc (Hons) in Operating Department Practice approved by the HCPC, usually three years full-time, with around half your time on placement in theatres. The Level 6 operating department practitioner degree apprenticeship lets you train while employed, often by an NHS trust that already employs you as a theatre support worker. Universities usually ask for GCSE English and maths plus A levels or an equivalent such as an Access to Higher Education Diploma. Eligible students in England can apply for the non-repayable NHS Learning Support Fund. After qualifying, you register with the HCPC, and many ODPs join the College of Operating Department Practitioners.
- Get healthcare experience, ideally as a theatre support worker or healthcare assistant, to see theatre work up close and strengthen your university application.
- Check entry requirements for HCPC-approved operating department practice degrees, and take an Access to Higher Education Diploma if you lack A levels.
- Apply through UCAS for an operating department practice degree, or ask your NHS trust whether it offers the ODP degree apprenticeship.
- Apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund if you study in England and are eligible, to help with living and placement costs.
- Use placements to experience anaesthetics, surgery and recovery, and note which area you want to focus on after qualifying.
- Register with the HCPC as soon as you graduate, then apply for Band 5 ODP posts with NHS trusts or private hospitals.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Operating Department Practice | 3 years full-time | Tuition fee loan; NHS Learning Support Fund for eligible students | School leavers and career changers |
| ODP degree apprenticeship | 3 years or more | Paid by the employer | Theatre support workers already in the NHS |
| Access course, then ODP degree | 1 year, then 3 years | Advanced Learner Loan, then tuition fee loan | Adults without A levels |
How long it takes
Qualifying takes about 3 years through a full-time BSc, and slightly longer on a degree apprenticeship. Once you are HCPC-registered, you can start in a Band 5 post straight away.
Operating Department Practitioner salary in the UK
Newly qualified ODPs in the NHS start on Band 5 from £31,049. Agenda for Change rates are updated most years, so check the current figure. Experienced ODPs at Band 6 or above earn around £35,000 to £43,000, and senior practitioners, team leaders and theatre managers earn about £50,000 to £65,000. Unsocial hours, on-call and overtime payments add to basic pay, and London weighting increases salaries in and around the capital.
Key skills
- Clinical skills
- Calm under pressure
- Sterile technique
- Teamwork
- Stamina
Operating Department Practitioner FAQs
How do I become an operating department practitioner?
Complete an HCPC-approved operating department practice degree, usually three years full-time, or an ODP degree apprenticeship through your employer. You then register with the HCPC, which you must do before you can practise or use the title operating department practitioner.
Do I need a degree to be an ODP?
Yes. You need an HCPC-approved operating department practice degree, either through university or a degree apprenticeship. Without it, you can work in theatres as a theatre support worker or healthcare assistant, which is a common first step towards training.
How much does an operating department practitioner earn?
ODPs start at NHS Band 5 from £31,049 in this guide's data, though Agenda for Change rates rise most years. Experienced ODPs earn around £35,000 to £43,000, and senior practitioners and theatre managers about £50,000 to £65,000, plus unsocial hours and on-call pay.
What is the difference between an ODP and a theatre nurse?
Both work in operating theatres and can do many of the same roles, such as scrub and recovery. ODPs train specifically for perioperative care and are registered with the HCPC. Theatre nurses train as nurses first and are registered with the NMC.
Is Operating Department Practitioner right for you?
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