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Operating Department Practitioner (Qualified)
Job Role

Operating Department Practitioner (Qualified)

You’ll work in MOD hospital units, at sea within the surgical team, or with the Commando Forward Surgical Group.

HealthcareHands onMedical
  • £34,000 - £52,000
  • Undergraduate Degree
  • Surface Fleet
  • Medical
  • Rating level

At a glance

Saving the lives of the people who risk theirs: that’s life as an ODP. From day one, you’ll be an integral part of the surgical team, tackling all aspects of the operating theatre and developing skills that stay with you for life.
Operating Department Practitioner cleaning equipment
The Royal Navy operates all over the world, so I do too. It’s great to make a real difference to the lives of our injured personnel.

Stuart

Operating Department Practitioner, Medical Branch

Role details

What you’ll do

Saving the lives of the people who risk theirs. That’s what you’ll be doing as an ODP in the Royal Navy. From day one, you’ll be an integral part of the surgical team, tackling all aspects of the operating theatre and developing skills that will stay with you for life. And you’ll work all over the world in some of the most challenging environments imaginable too.

Your role

  • Use your expertise where it’s needed most – from treating trauma patients during a humanitarian crisis, to providing surgical treatment at an NHS hospital
  • Be part of a world-class medical service that’s respected far beyond the Armed Forces
  • Provide crucial, lifesaving medical support in situations that can be demanding and sometimes dangerous
  • Gain experience in a wide range of disciplines, including becoming qualified as a Sterile Services Manager and Surgical First Assistant

Pay & benefits

  • Earn over £34,000 after university and initial training
  • Opportunity to in excess of £52,000 as you progress
  • An excellent pension scheme
  • Six weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Free medical and dental care

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • Study for A-Levels, NVQs or even a degree, partially paid for by us
  • An opportunity to study further at Degree level 6 and Masters level 7 to top up your professional portfolio

Skills you'll develop

  • Continued training and development in challenging environments
  • Gain experience in a multidisciplinary team

Eligibility

  • You must be aged 20 to 39
  • DipHE or BSc Operating Department Practice
  • Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered
  • You must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen, or a Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
     

Skills & Interests

  • A technical thinker
  • An aptitude for the clinical environment
  • A team player
  • An adventurous spirit
  • Able to stay positive in the face of adversity

 

Joining Process

From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.

Career Progression

From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.

Got a question?

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