Operating department practitioner
A day as a operating department practitioner
You're working the late shift today, and at arrive at your local NHS hospital at 12pm. Your first task is to help the anaesthetist with the afternoon's operations, so you make sure that all the drugs and equipment are ready, and take some extra time to chat to one of the patients who is feeling anxious. Then you're off to the emergency theatre. You put on your sterile gown, and pass instruments to the surgical team during a lengthy operation, after which you monitor the patient until they are fit to return to the ward. You're just thinking of having a quick break when the bleep in your pocket summons you to A&E where a casualty from a road traffic accident has arrived. When the patient has been stabilised, you finish at 10pm- ready for another fast-paced day tomorrow.
Does this sound like you?
You're reliable, have plenty of common sense and can concentrate for long periods of time. You can keep calm under pressure, have plenty of stamina and work well in a team.
What's next after GCSE?
Some higher education institutions will let you apply directly for a DiHE in operating department practice (which qualifies you for this role) with five A-C GCSE grades (or the equivalent). However, some request further qualifications, so it's vital to check the requirements of individual institutions.
What's next after A level and beyond?
Check the entry criteria of higher education institutions offering a DiHE in operating department practice, and work hard to obtain the correct A/AS levels (or the equivalent) if these are required by your preferred institution.
you interested in this career?
