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Job Role
Operating Department Practitioner Reserve
Job Role

Operating Department Practitioner Reserve

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

HealthcareHumanitarian aidCivilians
  • Undergraduate Degree
  • Surface Fleet
  • Royal Naval Reserve
  • Rating level

At a glance

Become a leader in your field, in an environment where leadership really matters. Joining the Royal Naval Reserve as an Operating Department Practitioner is your opportunity to hone your skills on medicine’s frontline.
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.

Michael

Operating Department Practitioner Reserve

Role details

What you’ll do

Become a leader in your field, in an environment where leadership really matters. Joining the Royal Naval Reserve as an Operating Department Practitioner is your opportunity to hone your skills on medicine’s frontline.

You’ll gain experience over a number of different clinical areas, from airway management to recovery. And as you increase your expertise, you’ll also begin to realise your management potential, learning from some of the best in the business. 

Your role

  • Deliver world class healthcare as part of a highly skilled and motivated team.
  • Provide vital support to maritime and wider military operations across the globe.
  • Provide support in a range of challenging conditions at sea, on land or in the air. Adapt to a variety of platforms including state of the art warships such as the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.
  • Travel the world as part of the front line medical services team.

Pay & benefits

  • Daily rates of pay equivalent to those of full-time personnel
  • Annual tax-free bounty subject to meeting the minimum training commitment
  • Paid leave in proportion to the number of training days attended
  • Automatic membership of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme
  • Expenses and allowances when undergoing training
  • Access to sports and fitness facilities
  • Opportunities for Adventurous Training (AT)

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • Working as part of a multi-disciplinary Medical Team
  • The opportunity to undergo post-graduate specialisation qualifications
  • Leadership and management qualifications
     

Skills you'll develop

  • Military specific qualifications with cross benefit to NHS practice 
  • Professional skills will be broadened and enhanced with direct benefit to civilian practice

Eligibility

  • You must be aged 20 and up to 52, (or 56 if you're serving or an ex-regular), when you start training
  • 5 GCSEs grades C/4, which must include English Language and Mathematics
  • DipHE or BSc Operating Department Practice
  • Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered, without restrictions
  • Currently working in a clinical setting
  • You must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen, or a Dual National. Dual nationality restrictions do apply
  • You need to be within the healthy range for Body Mass Index (BMI) 
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
     

Skills & Interests

  • Self reliant, well-organised future leaders
  • Problem solvers with a keen eye for detail
  • Team players
  • A willingness to help shipmates

 

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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