OPERATING
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE
of
STUDYING
DEPARTMENT PRACTICE
Faculty
Health & Social Sciences School of Society, Community and Health Begin@Beds
2 CONTENTS Welcome to Operating Department Practice 3 What to expect in induction week 4 What you will be studying in your first year 5 Professional Courses and Placement Experience 6 Assessment 7 Preparation for your first week 8 Indicative Teaching timetable 9 Frequently asked questions 10 Final Thoughts 11
WELCOME OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTICE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE TO
We are delighted that you will be studying with us. This booklet provides you with some key information that you will find useful in preparing you for your course and for your first few weeks and months at University.
Dr Lana Burroughs Head of School
ESSENTIAL CONTACTS
Course Lead
Chloe Merlo
chloe.merlo@beds.ac.uk
Hello, my name is Chloe Merlo and I am the course lead. We are so excited that you will be joining us in September. The first week will be an induction week where you will be introduced to your course, course team and fellow students. You’ll also have a personal tutor who is there to support you. They will have weekly office hours so you can always book an appointment if you need to chat to them, we will be there with you every step of the way.
Chloe Merlo Course Lead
Your personal academic tutor is Email STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Student Information Desk (SiD) beds.ac.uk/sid sid@beds.ac.uk
Treehouse Community & Faith Centre Mental Health Services
beds.ac.uk/student-support/mentalwell mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk
BedsSU (student union) help@bedssu.co.uk
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WHAT TO EXPECT IN INDUCTION WEEK
TIMETABLE FOR WELCOME WEEK
The following is a typical Welcome Week schedule:
am
Day 1
pm
Introduction to: Student support services, student union and library services. Ice breaker and social integration.
Meet the course team, afternoon tea with a game of ‘operation’ and ‘pin the organ’ with prizes.
am
Day 2
Day 3 & 4
pm
A day in the life – what to expect, getting the most from Breo, Q&A with existing students, campus and simulation rooms tour.
First Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) meeting, uniform ordering & meet some of the practice education team.
Occupational health and ID and document check appointments. Student Union events.
ESSENTIAL LINKS
For more information on joining your course, visit Begin BSc Operating Department Practice @Beds where you will find updated info, tips and dates of your course induction week etc.
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WHAT YOU WILL BE STUDYING IN YOUR FIRST YEAR
YEAR 1 STUDENTS WILL BE STUDYING
Academic Skills
Inclusivity and Diversity in Care
Fundamentals of Perioperative Practice
Professional Identities for Operating Department Practitioners
Sciences for the perioperative practice
ESSENTIAL LINKS
How to find your Timetable
Information about your learning with BREO
Get support with your learning and assignments Study Hub
Visit the Library
Begin@Beds Start your student journey
Thrive@Beds My Beds Life
Succeed@Beds Careers and Employability Service
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PROFESSIONAL COURSES AND PLACEMENT EXPERIENCE
As you enrol on your professional course you will need to complete an enhanced DBS along with ID checks and an occupational health assessment. You will also be asked to read and sign your professional studies contract which is in line with the HCPC Standards of Conduct, performance and ethics which will guide you through your 3 year degree course.
Your clinical placement will be based with one of our practice partners and you will also be given opportunities to experience different areas of practice throughout your journey to becoming a registered ODP.
Here is a range of practice partnerships for practical placements:
• Bedford Hospital
• East & North Herts NHS Trust
• Feed Up, Warm Up
• Keech Hospice
• Luton & Dunstable Hospital
• Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Spire Harpenden
• Great Ormond Street Hospital
• Royal Papworth
• Harefield Hospital
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ASSESSMENT
The course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the teaching and learning strategy which is designed to:
• have an immediate relevance to practice;
• draw on expertise-by-experience;
• foster active learning and be learner-centred in approach.
A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks, including those that allow you to undertake workplace relevant assessments that can have an immediate impact in practice. This helps put into practice what you are learning in university and increases your self-confidence.
RANGE OF ASSESSMENTS
Types of assessment for these units include:
Essays
Leaflets/posters
Reflective Care Studies
Audits
Presentations
OSCEs
In class tests
Skills Documents – practice based learning
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PREPARATION FOR YOUR FIRST WEEK
SOMETHING TO WATCH
• https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-healthprofessions/operating-department-practitioner
SOMETHING TO READ
• www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/courses/undergraduate/next-year/operating-department-practice/
• https://northern.unison.org.uk/blogs/2016/12/day-life-operating-department-practitioner/
ABOUT THE CAMPUS
The Luton Campus Centre holds a wide range of facilities including the main reception, careers centre, the campus gallery space & Café Neo on the first floor. There’s a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms and breakout spaces on the upper floors. It’s also the place to build your social life with our modern Students’ Union in the Metro Bar & Kitchen; home to tasty food & drink and hosting regular live music, DJ nights and student events.
• www.beds.ac.uk/about-us/campuses/luton/
I really enjoyed my community and hospital placements, and I was always well supported by my personal academic tutor throughout the whole process. I even got to do a neurosurgery elective at Great Ormond Street this year, which was amazing.
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INDICATIVE TEACHING TIMETABLE
EXPECTATIONS FOR TEACHING AND PLACEMENT
As a first year ODP student you will begin your journey with a 6 week block of teaching. This will prepare you for your practice placement which you will begin on week 7. Our placement partners will visit you in your university block and give you your schedule ahead of time to allow you to plan your time accordingly.
You will come back to university for your second block of teaching for 4 weeks after the Christmas break and then be back to placement until the hand in date with annual leave scheduled in between. You are required to complete 840 hours of practice in the academic year which equates to 30 hours a week in placement, usually 3 shifts a week.
PLACEMENT HOURS
As this is a professional course you are expected to complete all 840 placement hours and attend all university teaching unless you have medical exemption or extenuating circumstances.
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Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 9am Theory/ lectures Theory/ lectures Guided learning Theory/ lectures Simulation 10am 11am 12pm 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm
Sample timetable – Semester 1 Operating Department Practice
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When do I find out which placement area I have been allocated?
We aim to provide students with their placement locations as quickly as possible once these have been confirmed with the Trusts. Usually, you will be invited to meet your practice educators during Welcome Week so that you can ask questions, arrange a visit and get to know who is who in the team.
What happens if I miss class due to being unwell or having difficulties with childcare or travel?
We understand that everyone will face some difficulties now and again and we aim to be flexible. You are encouraged to discuss ongoing issues with your Personal Academic Tutor or Unit Lead.
Is there someone who can help me with my assessments?
The lecturing team are always available to guide you with the theory based content and you might want to book a 1:1 tutorial with your Unit Lead. If you need more time to complete an assignment, please contact Student Engagement and Mitigation (SEAM) who deal with extensions for assessments.
Their email is mitigation@beds.ac.uk
Will I be able to practise skills before I attend placement and work with actual patients?
Absolutely. You will have scheduled simulation based learning included in your weekly teaching plan and this will provide excellent preparation for placement. Our state of the art simulation suite has an operating theatre, anaesthetic room and Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) which also doubles as a ward, A&E and maternity area for various learning opportunities.
Is there somewhere for me to get support if I have a learning difference such as Dyslexia?
Yes! There is plenty of help available and students may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, stating any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. There is also help available for practice based learning.
Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?
Yes! The Student Union will provide lots of information about the sporting clubs, activities and events available for all students at UoB. For more information visit bedssu.co.uk
ESSENTIAL LINKS
Simulation suite beds.ac.uk/simulation
Learning Difference support information beds.ac.uk/student-support/disabilities2
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FINAL THOUGHTS
There is a lot to take in when you begin studying on a professional course like this one. The teaching team have been working as ODPs for many years and here are our top 10 reasons to ‘love this job’!
You will be with patients in their most vulnerable moments. This is a true privilege.
You will experience things you never thought possible.
You will one day be the ‘teacher’ and the mentor responsible for helping a new student on their first day.
10 REASONS WE LOVE BEING ODPs
No two days are the same.
You become part of a big ‘family’ of theatre staff.
Everyone is helpful and wants you to do well.
You can keep studying after you qualify and there is no limit to the knowledge you can gain.
You will always be employable. ODPs are always in demand.
You are given the opportunity to be a part of a unique experience every day.
The satisfaction you get from knowing you helped make a real difference to a patient is amazing.
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