Operating Department Practitioner Questions

I work in healthcare, but I've recently seen you can complete an ODP course in 2 years, so I guess I'm weighing up my options between that or becoming a radiographer (currently work in med imaging as an assistant), and I have a few questions for theatre workers.

Are there any other jobs available for qualified ODPs?
What is progression like? I understand you can specialise in the anaesthetisation side of it, are there any other specialisations that Department Practitioners can undertake?
Do you work on wards like a nurse would, or is it strictly in the perioperative environment?
Is it an enjoyable job, do you have a good laugh where possible, or is it a very professional environment?

Any other words from theatre workers would be great too.
Thank you

Hi, not a theatre worker but hopefully I'll be starting an ODP degree in September so maybe I can help.

Since you have missed the equal consideration deadline, I am going to assume you are applying for the academic year starting 2024/2025. You can no longer do a 2-year diploma and work as an ODP as after 2024. The HCPC has made it so that anyone who begins an ODP course after the 1st of September 2024 must have a degree to be approved - "1 September 2024: Students beginning an ODP course after this date will have to complete a degree level course to enter the register when they graduate. This does not affect ODPs who have already completed their education before 2024 – who can still apply as before". Look at this link for more information - https://www.hcpc-uk.org/news-and-events/blog/2021/hcpc-increase-set-1-degree-operating-department-practitioners/ . Therefore, it would take the same amount of time as becoming a radiographer.

1. I'd assume you can apply to more general jobs, such as those that require a degree but not a specific one. You can also apply for graduate schemes that don't require a specific degree.
2 . You can move into the following roles (The ones in bold require a master's degree or a course): Senior ODP, Theater Manager, Anaesthetic Associate, Surgical First Assist, Surgical Care Practitioner, Advanced Critical Care Practitioner, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Clinical Perfusionist, Clinical Endoscopist, Preoperative Assessment, Resuscitation Training Officer. I have head of ODPs working as transplant coordinators as well. You can also go into research and/or teaching. There's also the option to do Graduate Entry Medicine.
3. You can branch out and work in A&E and ICU but these might require experience from what I know. Some of the more advanced roles do ward rounds but I don't know if that's the same as what a nurse does.
4. Don't know but I'd hope it is!

Hope this helps a bit and you make the right decision for you.

What would they look for to get a place in graduate entry medicine say after completing the ODP degree, would that qualification alone be enough?

I work in healthcare, but I've recently seen you can complete an ODP course in 2 years, so I guess I'm weighing up my options between that or becoming a radiographer (currently work in med imaging as an assistant), and I have a few questions for theatre workers.

Are there any other jobs available for qualified ODPs?
What is progression like? I understand you can specialise in the anaesthetisation side of it, are there any other specialisations that Department Practitioners can undertake?
Do you work on wards like a nurse would, or is it strictly in the perioperative environment?
Is it an enjoyable job, do you have a good laugh where possible, or is it a very professional environment?

Any other words from theatre workers would be great too.
Thank you