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ODP (Operating Department Practice) 2011 anyone?

I am 22 years old - 23 in March. I left school at 16. For the last 6 years I have been employed half the time in factories and unemployed the other half.

I left school with 8 GCSE passes including Maths, English and Double Science.

I decided at the start of this year I was going to return to education. I was planning to go back in September and do A Level Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Physics. The plan was to hopefully get accepted into medical school in 2 years, or biomedical science as a backup.

To do this though I would have to go back in classes with a load of 16 and 17 year olds. There would also be no practical work/experience/training for a few years. I then came across Dip HE ODP.

If I get accepted I will be straight into University, which would be much much better.

I only found out that at half the courses you can get in with only 5 GCSE passes.

I also have no criminal record. I should be eligible for NHS Bursary.

As for the Health and Fitness to practice, the only thing was a couple of years ago I had a mild depression, mainly due to being unemployed etc... It was also very mild and I was given the lowest dosage of anti-depressant. I dont think this will prevent me.

For experience in a care setting, I intend to volunteer at the in-patient unit at the local hospice.

Also most of the courses mention - All applicants should be able to demonstrate evidence of recent study (within the last five years). I havent studied within the last 5 years, but again I hope this will not prevent me.

I have done a bit of research into the different uni courses and have decided I will apply to:

University of Leicester
University of Surrey
University of East Anglia
Coventry University

and maybe Edge Hill University

I am hoping to be starting in the Autumn.

If I was to study Dip HE ODP for 2 years, I would like to hopefully be able to do an extra year and get a Bsc (Hons) ODP.

A possible plan would then be to practice as an ODP for 1-3 years, possibly do some sort of foundation science course part-time and apply for medicine. If not I would be content to be an ODP.

I would like to hear from anyone thinking of applying to study ODP, studying ODP at the moment, or qualified ODP. Also anyone else who is studying nursing or medicine, who has any comments or advice.

cheers

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Reply 1

smurphy49

Hi,

I have applied for sept 2011. Which is degree level. Dips finish April this year. You will need level III to enter at this level. I am still awaiting a decision. Admissions informed me decisions will be coming through in a couple of days. There are 50 and its very competitive. I am currently on Access subjects including psychol, Health Science and Biology A level, I also have GCSEs Additional Science and maths and english. I am currently a support worker working with vulnerable adults and have done this job for six and half years. I only have this uni down. All students have had their offers, interviews and secured places and im feeling the pressure. But I have stayed true to what I want. I have worked hard to get where I am now. They have events such as observation days in theatre for the day and there was one in January. There is a talk in april, but try and track events. I have also registered with the the Royal College of ODP and there are quaterly journals relating to this. I have been preparing for an interview because I know they are taking place throughout March. I have focused on infection control and wound management. Also been reading lots on areas of application. I specifically want to work in Trauma, critical care, transplant. When I went to open days they advised me that my job will secure an interview. But from tracking other applicants a lot have deferred from last year, plus there will be deferrals from April i wreckon with it going to degree. Anyhow I hope this helps you. good luck :smile:

Reply 2

popoporoo

Did you get an offer Smurphy? I have an interview for odp at uclan, likewise I have done an access course but it was for Science and Allied Medical Sciences. I am so nervous as this is my only reply so far :/

Reply 3

smurphy49

Ive got invite for edge hill. Only had this uni down. Interview 5th April. :smile:

It is a lot of pressure when you only have one, but if you prepare properly you will nail it. i managed to get the interview questions, plus they sent me some thing that I am expected to know and answer at interview. Q1. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF Q2 WHY YOU WANT 2 B AN ODP, Q3 WHAT IS THE ROLE OF ODP, GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHEN YOU HAVE USED YOUR INITIATIVE, WHATS CURRENT WITHIN NHS, HOW WOULD YOU PLAN A PIECE OF COURSEWORK FROM START TO FINISH. THEY LIKE IT WHEN YOU TRANSFER WHAT SKILLS YOU HAVE INTO THE DEGREE. IVE GOT TO DO MATHS AND ENGLISH TEST. DONT WORY. PREPARE WELL AND DO SOME READING AROUND PERIOPERATIVE CARE. OH FORGOT TH OTHER QUESTION, HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH ANXIOUS PATIENT. ITS ALL ABOUT THE HOLISTIC CARE OF PATIENT, REASSURANCE AND SUPPORT. GET ON TH YOUTUBE. THEY TELL YOU WHAT SKILLS THEY WANT IE OUTGOING, WORK WELL IN HIGH PRESSURED SITUATIONS, GREAT INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, EMPATHETIC, GOOD AT SUPPORTING OTHERS, LEADERSHIP ABILITIES AND TEAMWORK SKILLS. i HOPE THIS HELPS YOU A LITTLE.

TRY AND GET YOURSELF A BOOK ON CLINICAL HANDBOOK IN PERIOPERATIVE CARE ON THE AMAZON. GOOD LUCKXXXX :smile:

MAKE SURE YOU LOOK TH PART IMPRESSION FORMATION VERY IMPORTANT

Reply 4

popoporoo

Thank you so much! This has been the most helpful of anyone on this subject. You rly know your stuff, I could answer about half of that so I got some homework to SCRUB up on! Haha ...terrible joke I kno..

Reply 5

smurphy49

When talking about when you've used initiative this means for example when you have implemented a new system, trained staff, took control in a crisis ect. Iv been reading and preparing all my life for this opportunity. talk about how you want to progress ie masters,. I am going to talk what areas of application, ie transplant, trauma, critical care. building a good portfolio of proceedures. I would like to specialise in transplant and get on the helicopters but critical care and plastic surgery/cosmetic surgery. My ultimate goal anisthesiologist. that would take an md, masters then further four years med school. However you can do md, masters ie respiratory management and do four years on th job traing and become a non medical anisthesist. they are paid 100k a year. wow!!! but private health care is where its at they are paid 10k more than nhs. You have to practice for at least 2 yrs. dont forget when they ask you what you hope to achieve at the end of course to say degree and registration on the HPC.

Where u want to work??? . The additional modules for degree are pharmocology, health social care, holistic care of periop patient. we shadow midwives and social workers on placement. how diverse is that

Reply 6

popoporoo

Thanks again!! I haven't rly researched what career progression I want, as I didn't want to get ahead of myself in case I'm turned down. Maybe teaching as I wanted to be a biology lecturer years ago, think I just lost my confidence somewhere along the way. My main weakness in my application is lack of experience, I've worked in mediocre part time retail jobs. My access course is all I have, I got distinctions so I guess that's why they have offered me an interview. The course just sounds absolutely amazing and I just know ill be heartbroken if I don't get on it, but im not going anywhere! Ill re-apply every year if I have too! Thx again, keep me updated, gl in your edge hill interview x x

Reply 7

smurphy49

do some voluntary. talk about how you have a natural ability in supporting others and you are very caring. relate it to real life situations.

you can do this. just show your commitment at interview. il email you some stuff ive got. read periop care on google books to give you an idea of whats involved. NHS website good. read stuff on infection control because its all about preventative measures ie aseptic technique wound management. biggest risk in theatre is pathogens. once th skin is cut patients at risk. anisthetic is 1 in every 200,000 risk unless underlying health problem. liver dissorders would be high risk under anisthetic. someone with low blood pressure is good because they wont bleed out. high blood pressure th patien would be on some kind of beta bockers so you would need platlets.

Reply 8

popoporoo

Yes please do! I have organised some volunteering at Fazakerly, but its taking so long, I have only just sent proof of mmr, apparently my mum never allowed me to have it haha. Wished I had done this years ago, but if I am unsuccessful this year at least I can reapply with more health care experience (worst case scenario). Anyways, I have time to research before this interview, so hopefully that won't happen! I'm just so happy I've realised what I want to do with the rest of my life! About time, I'm 24 this year :/ x

Reply 9

smurphy49

try whiston. will darwin deals with voluntary there. you wont b unsuccessful. I have no clinical exp. I am a support worker. just lost my job. booo to th goverment, Its a great feeling when you find your direction. I am 37 on friday. Im practically antique. ha. dont panic prepare and get on th voluntary. im going to try a counselling course to. 12 wker. they love that. psychological wellbeing of the patient. that would get you brownie points.

Reply 10

popoporoo

Ah 30s is the new 20s nowadays! If I could drive I would volunteer there, but that's miles away! Fazakerly is a short ten min bus drive away from me which is ideal. This counselling course you mentioned, where is this taught? Is it an open uni thingy?

Reply 11

popoporoo

Well had unsucessfuls from Edge Hill this morning, five actually ..bit depressing since they told me past experience doesn't matter, I guess it does. They said feedback will be in the post in ten days. Puts so much more pressure on me now for uclan.

Reply 12

chloegibney

Hia am new to all this...i have an interview at uclan on 4th april aswell at 9.30am....i also have one for birmingham on 5th april...i got my letter through this morning for uclan is anybody else the same time am just wondering? =)

Reply 13

popoporoo

Hi, yes I'm attending that! Its my only interview offer and anywhere else would just be too far away. Obviously edge hill was closest but I guess I wasn't what they was looking for! Do you kno what your preferred hospitals are yet?

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 14

chloegibney

i applied for all my unis away...place i wanted to go came back unsuccessful the other day! nope i havent a clue which hospitals to put down yet! i have never heard of any of them, so i best get looking...my mate had an interview last monday for uclan and came back unsussccful the other day this is for odp aswell..she thinks it because she wasnt willing on moving to there and they said they worrie about students dropping out half way through 1st year because of th travel to and from uni/hospitals! she drove aswell! but i want to move out so hoping thats a good point! x

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 15

popoporoo

Yeah, edge hill at their open event mentioned the same thing..students dropping out because of the travelling problems. I will be moving out too but need to stay close to liverpool, family is here and want to be nearish. I almost wished I had applied further afield because I havnt left myself much chance now. x

Reply 16

m_brown

Hi, I've got my interview for UCLAN on the 4th April at 13.30. Anyone else at this time?

Reply 17

chloegibney

i applied for sheffeild and huddersfeild both unsuccessful..wanted sheffeild hallam..and have interviews for uclan and birmingham waiting on glasgow but having second thoughts about going there now! i want to move away, i just think its only 2/3years depending where i go! am nervous for the interviews now seen as both my interviews are a next day to each other! did you only spplie for edge hill and uclan? x

Reply 18

popoporoo

Yep, so all my hopes are pinned on uclan. If I'm unsuccessful ill probably branch out further next year x

Reply 19

Hwignall

Hi
has anyone had an interview at uclan yet? if so i was just wondering what questions they asked you for the ODP course? i have got an interview on the 7th of April!!!