Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) | Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

As a surgical hospital we provide a service in the following surgical pathways:-

• Major head and neck reconstructive surgery
• Maxillofacial/Orthognathic/trauma
• Plastic surgery, including major reconstruction
• Hand surgery
• Ophthalmics, including complex corneal reconstruction
• Burns for reconstructive surgery
• Trauma
Our success is underpinned by the skills and enthusiasm of our staff and a strong culture of partnership. We are fully committed to training and development of the workforce with support for continuing education and learning. ODPs have expertise in the management and maintenance of a patient safe environment within the operating department. In doing this they utilise highly specialist skills, equipment and materials to deliver a high standard of patient care. As an apprentice working at the QVH you will learn from experienced Theatre Practitioners and members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team to ensure every patient is treated safely and with the dignity and respect they deserve, encompassing our trust values.


• Applicants must hold maths and English functional skills level 2 or GCSE C/4 or equivalent
• Care certificate or willingness to complete prior to undertaking programme
• Level 3 qualification or greater study which could include;
• BTEC national diploma (pass) or certificate (merit)
• 2 'A' Levels
• Access Course to health care professions (or Higher Education)
• Applicants must have been resident in the UK for 3 years and have a work visa that will cover the entire length of the programme
The apprenticeship will be commencing from September 2025. You will need to be passionate, motivated and well organised. You will have a caring nature, effective communication skills and work well within a multi-disciplinary team. You will also need the physical ability to withstand long days on your feet and extensive manual handling.

Operating Department Practice is an exciting and rewarding career that involves working with many different patient groups undergoing a variety of anaesthetic and surgical interventions. The focus for this course is on the experience of the patient throughout their perioperative journey. Delivering care primarily within three core areas identified as: the anaesthetic phase, the surgical phase and the post anaesthetic (recovery) phase. The training will involve a 3 year degree programme affiliated with Canterbury Christ Church University. Your time will be spread across block placements both clinically and at the University.