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.
Operating Department Practitioner (Qualified)
You’ll work in MOD hospital units, at sea within the surgical team, or with the Commando Forward Surgical Group.
Start your application
This role is classed as a RBP Healthcare and Medical Rating Qualified. As part of your application process, we’ll help you find the most suitable role based on your skills and experience.
Register interest- £26,334 - £67,000
- Undergraduate Degree
- Surface Fleet
- Medical
- Rating level
Role details
- 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
- A salary that rises from £42,500 as soon as you finish training. Pay is incremental and you go up an increment every 1-2 years within each rank, with a maximum number of increments per rank
- Promote on completion of Phase one training to Acting Leading Medical Technician. Promotion to Petty Officer and thereafter is based on merit
- Opportunity to commission once qualified for greater than 5 years as a Medical Services Officer ODP.
- An excellent pension scheme
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Free medical and dental care
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
- You must be aged 20 to 39 (You can start your application from 17.5 years old however you must be at least 20 years old on day of entry to basic training)
- 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)
- A technical thinker
- An aptitude for the clinical environment
- A team player
- An adventurous spirit
- Able to stay positive in the face of adversity
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.
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Day one
Meet your mentor, start your rotation and preceptorship
Year one
Leading Rates Leadership Course, adventurous training
First promotion
Become Leading Hand, mentor students, go on deployment
Second promotion
Become Petty Officer, take full charge of all equipment
Joining Process
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
- Register your interest
- Complete your application
- Interview
- Medical and fitness assessments
- Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)
- Final selection board
- Start training
Start your application
Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.
Got a question?
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