Operating department practitioner (degree)

• Practice as an autonomous ODP, assessing patients in theatres & associated areas, exercising professional judgement to establish patient centred goals, & to accept, plan, initiate, modify, refer or cease treatment within prescribed limits
• Recognise disease & trauma processes relevant to perioperative care
• Accurately calculate & record prescribed drug doses
• 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 & therapy procedures safely & effectively
• Undertake anaesthetic, surgical & post-anaesthesia care interventions including managing airways, cannulation, catheterisation & manual handling/positioning
• Monitor airway, breathing & circulation
• Monitor & record fluid balance & administer prescribed fluids appropriately
• Monitor the effects of drugs & take appropriate action is response to significant change
• Assess & monitor individuals pain status & administer prescribed pain relief appropriately
• Select appropriate techniques & equipment; undertake & record thorough assessments & investigations.
• Maintaining Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Life Support qualifications where appropriate
• Assist anaesthesia with the use of medical devices & pharmacological (drugs) means
• Maintain a sterile working area & safely & effectively perform aseptic technique (including scrubbing, gloving & gowning)
• Perform scrub skills according in accordance with Perioperative Care Collaborative statement

• How to apply professional knowledge, skills & experience in partnership with other professionals to optimise outcomes for patients
• Normal anatomy & physiology of the human body & impact of disease, & trauma processes
• Physiological parameters & how to interpret changes/deviations
• How to order, store, issue, prepare & administer prescribed drugs & monitor their effects
• The drugs that are used in ODP practice & how they affect the body
• Safe practices in the use of medical devices use for diagnostic, monitoring or therapeutic purposes
• Effective innovation, change management & planning techniques; theories of change mangement including tools & techniques in how to apply them
• The principles & practices in the management of anaesthetic & surgical emergencies, e.g. a major haemorrhage or anaphylaxis.
• The management & processes involved in the administration of blood & blood products
• The use of research methodologies used in Operating Department Practice; the principles & applications of evidence based practice.
• The principles of hand hygiene & asepsis
• Sterilisation & decontamination of equipment processes
• Safeguarding processes & how to raise concerns
• Infection prevention & control policies & procedures
• The role of the surgical first assistant in assisting with surgical interventions
• Appropriate Moving & Handling Techniques
• The structure & function of health & social care services in the UK

• Recognise & take account of needs & diversity of individuals
• Shape or structure your practice according to evidence based practice
• Practice in a manner ensuring equality & act as an advocate for patients. Demonstrate care, compassion, confidence, courage, communication & commitment for patients at their most vulnerable.
• Maintain the patients dignity at all times
• Demonstrate an open, honest & courteous approach to patients relatives & colleagues

• How to assess the nature & complexity of a patients needs
• How to adapt practice to meet the needs of patients within the scope of ODP practice, national/local policy & latest evidence
• The importance of maintaining patients comfort & dignity at all times
• The requirements of Duty of candour regulations
• Legal & ethical issues pertinent to ODP practice
• Theatre etiquette
• How to interact with patients, relatives & colleagues in a professional manner

• Practice within the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency for ODP’s[i] & The College of Operating Department Practitioners Scope of Practice[ii]

• The legislation, standards and protocol relating to ODP practice [iii].

• Effectively lead manage & delegate colleagues, working as part of the surgical team
• Work collaboratively throughout the patients perioperative journey with the surgical team & others
• Use the evidence base to promote innovation & improvement in operating department practice
• Actively participate in audit, training & review activities
• Manage yourself in emergency & stressful situations.
• Demonstrate self-awareness & impact on others.
• Reflect on own practice & challenge self & others

• The concept of leadership & using personal initiative
• The value of participation in training, supervision & mentoring
• The importance of working collaboratively with those who provide services
• How to reflect effectively & facilitate change in perioperative practice
• Team dynamics, communication & patient safety with a reference to human factors
• The value & impact of research, audit & evaluation on operating department practice
• The importance of maintaining own health & well-being; ways to manage & reduce occupational stress

Communication & information

• Safeguard confidential information, relating to patients at all times, consistently applying data protection principles
• Apply a range of communication strategies & skills within the multidisciplinary team to ensure patient safety & dignity
• Use effective communication skills to support the patient at different stages of their care
• Identify barriers to communication, their potential impact & strategies for management
• ensure your own behaviour supports others to work in ways that are consistent with individuals’ beliefs and preferences, that regard diversity positively and that support anti-discriminatory practice
• Maintain care records that are fit for purpose & process them according to legislation
• Formulate care plans including setting of timescales
• Analyse & critically evaluate information collected & appropriately act upon it

• The concept of confidentiality & the principles of information governance
• The importance of communication in plain English;  a range of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques appropriate to age, mental capacity  cognitive abilitiesactive listening and observing skills
• Communication theroies and how they are applicable to the perioperative environment
• How a patients communication is affected by varying levels of consciousness
• legal and work setting requirements on equality, diversity, discrimination and rights
• The importance of providing patients with appropriate information to make informed decisions
• The importance of managing records & information in accordance with legislation, protocols & guidelines, for example recording swab & instrument counts to ensure nothing is left behind in the patients body after surgery
• Principles & practices of the consent process
• Risk management & incident reporting processes in line with organisational policy
• The impact of age, culture, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status & spiritual or religious beliefs on communication