FAQ's
Joining CODP
I am no longer practicing and no longer registered with the HPC, can I still be a member?
I have not practiced for 5 years, how do I return to practice?
I am a UNISON member. What do I pay?
I am an Operating Department Practitioner but I currently live overseas. Can I join CODP?
I'd like to work with the College and sit on one of the committees - how do I apply?
CODP Membership
I am unable to login in and don't remember my Member ID or password, what should I do?
I'd like to renew my membership by Direct Debit but I don't have a form, where can I get one?
How do I claim tax relief on my CODP membership fee?
What is my Professional Indemnity Cover?
HPC Registration
The HPC have informed me they are investigating an allegation against me – what shall I do?
Becoming an Operating Department Practitioner
What is an Operating Department Practitioner?
How do I become an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)?
I have a disability; can I still become an ODP?
Where can I study to become an ODP?
What is the rationale for the transition of the ODP profession to BSc primary qualification?
Would I be able get some assistance on living costs from NHS bursary? Is it standard for the NHS to help trainee ODP's in this?
Will the NHS still meet my tuition fees if I apply to study the BSc at university?
I’m studying to be an ODP with the Open University. Can I join CODP as a student member?
Once I’m qualified, what are my opportunities for career progression?
Practice Issues
If I work in a specialised area of practice (e.g. resuscitation, endoscopy) or move into a management role, do I have to complete a set number of hours in anaesthetics or surgery in order to maintain registration with the HPC?
When the Diploma is replaced by the BSc, will I need to return to full time study in order to maintain my right to practice?
Working in a ward or other unfamiliar environment?
Overseas practice
I wish to practice abroad, which countries would I be qualified to work in?
I live in the US right now, and have entertained the idea of living in the UK. Would I be qualified to work in the UK?
Joining CODP
I am no longer practicing and no longer registered with the HPC, can I still be a member?
Yes, CODP offers Associate membership for those who are no longer active in the operating theatre but wish to be kept informed on how the College and professions are progressing. Associate members enjoy many of the benefits of Full membership including the journal but are unable to vote on professional matters.
I have not practiced for 5 years, how do I return to practice?
All ODP’s are now required to gain registration through the HPC so you will need to make contact with them. If you are not already a member and you do gain registration then you would be eligible for Full Membership with the CODP. In the meantime, while you are in the process of ‘returning to practice’ you could become an Associate Member of the CODP. We would then be able to support you in the process of becoming re-registered with the HPC.
I am a UNISON member. What do I pay?
Membership of CODP is free to UNISON members who are employed as ODPs or in similar roles. You will know whether your membership of CODP has been enacted if you have received a letter advising of your CODP membership number and web-site login details. You can apply for free membership online here.I am an Operating Department Practitioner but I currently live overseas. Can I join CODP?
CODP welcomes ODPs working overseas and who have a HPC registration. You will receive all member benefits including the Journal Technic. The fee for overseas members is just £6.25 per month paying by direct debit – the slightly higher fee to cover postage. If you aren’t registered with the HPC you will qualify for Associate Membership and receive all the benefits – except that you will not be able to vote on professional issues. The fee is the same. Both full and associate membership overseas have access to the members section of the website with up-to-date information and news.I'd like to work with the College and sit on one of the committees - how do I apply?
We are always keen to hear from members who wish to make a difference and contribute to the work of the College. You simply need to complete an 'Expression of Interest' form, the Professional Council will contact you.CODP Membership
I am unable to login in and don't remember my Member ID or password, what should I do?
Please contact the office on 0870 746 0984 or office@codp.org.uk if you have forgotten your Membership Number/Member ID. If you have forgotten your password you can request a new one here.
I'd like to renew my membership by Direct Debit but I don't have a form, where can I get one?
You can download a Direct Debit form here. Please ensure you include your Name, Address and Membership number when returning your form.
How do I claim tax relief on my CODP membership fee?
The Inland Revenue have agreed that membership of CODP (and our predecessor organisations, the Association of Operating Department Practitioners (AODP) and the British Association of Operating Department Assistants (BAODA)) is a professional qualification that entitles you to tax relief on your membership fee. If you complete an annual tax return then you should include your claim at that time.
If you pay tax by PAYE then you should complete this form and return it to your tax office. If you have not claimed previously you can claim tax relief for the previous 6 years.
If you are a member of UNISON you can also claim tax relief on 70% of your UNISON membership subscription. Further information on how to claim tax relief on your UNISON subscription and for more advice on tax relief, visit http://www.unison.org.uk/healthcare/taxrelief.asp
What is my Professional Indemnity Cover?
Professional Indemnity Cover is insurance against any claim against you arising from your actions as an ODP while working in an employed or supervised capacity. The terms of the cover are set out here. We do not issue a certificate of insurance, but if you are in any doubt about whether you are covered by the scheme please contact us at office@codp.org.uk. Employers who request evidence of your cover can be directed to our website.
HPC Registration
The HPC have informed me they are investigating an allegation against me – what shall I do?
The HPC will investigate any allegation made against a registered practitioner. They have the power to place restrictions on your practice or even remove your registration, making it impossible for you to continue as an ODP even where your employer hasn’t dismissed you. If you receive any notice from the HPC it is vital that you act quickly. Individual representation of members in disciplinary cases is outside the scope of activity for CODP as a professional body. Members are therefore advised to insure themselves by joing a trade union such as UNISON that provides specialist support. If you are not a union member you are advised to seek support from a solicitor.
Becoming an Operating Department Practitioner
What is an Operating Department Practitioner?
Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are healthcare professionals who, on qualification, are registered with the Health Professions Council. They provide skilled assistance to surgeons and anaesthetists in carrying out intricate and complex procedures and work alongside nursing colleagues in order to provide a high standard of patient focused care throughout the patient’s perioperative journey.
ODP Career Info
How do I become an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)?
I have a disability; can I still become an ODP?
Where can I study to become an ODP?
To see the current register of approved programmes please visit the Health Professions Council website.
List of HPC Approved Programmes
As each centre sets it’s own entrance requirements and has different intakes, it would be best to contact the one that you were interested in attending to find out how best to apply.
What is the rationale for the transition of the ODP profession to BSc primary qualification?
The Colleges rationale for the change to a BSc was an accumulation of feedback over the last few years from educators and practice staff on the length of the programme for professional preparation for ODPs. The programme has been a two year programme of study since 1972 starting with a national certificate; then City and Guilds; NVQs until we went to a HE diploma programme in 2001. All these changes since 1972 have resulted in keeping the time for education and training within two years. It goes without saying that over the years this has become untenable to deliver the education and training within this time span.
Following registration with the Health Professions Council in Oct 2004 we have had two reviews of our curriculum. There was a need to include additional practice to support future practitioners. This ensured practitioners were properly prepared for practice. It showed us that as well as the fundamental core, additional aspects of education, drugs, patient co morbidity, technology, higher level in human factor training and safety along with professional requirement was needed to be added. These all presented with the curriculum being so stretched and harder to deliver in two years.
We did some scoping work looking at the practitioner up to 2020 and the complex aspects of healthcare and role ODPs would play in the future. We scoped the activity, knowledge and skills and had agreed this would need to go to a three year programme of study with probably the last 6 months of the final year predominately in practice ( this would be a local individual institutes and practice decision).
We also looked at the added value on taking on extra skills (advanced scrub which currently is seen as a post reg activity) that would contribute to the team and address areas arising in medical training. The outcome was that we compared all these aspects and it resulted in it matching the QAA benchmark for a graduate and therefore we felt in light of changes that were due to happen in nursing it would be reasonable from an equity standpoint as well as the evidence on graduate nursing (health profession) offering better patient outcomes.
However, the vehicle for change was the need to extend the profession preparation programme length to accommodate the additional requirements all health professionals needed to have included in their professional preparation.
In regards to bursary, you apply to the NHS bursary. Please have a look at this website which should answer your bursary questions http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students/816.aspx
Will the NHS still meet my tuition fees if I apply to study the BSc at university?
At this stage we have no reason to believe not, consistent with other professional pre-registration programmes (nurses, physiotherapists, radiographers, paramedics etc). It is a matter being pursued with the NHS by the College and confirmation will be given on this site as soon as possible.
I’m studying to be an ODP with the Open University. Can I join CODP as a student member?
Yes, even if you are in full time employment while you study.
Once I’m qualified, what are my opportunities for career progression?
The opportunities available to ODPs are extremely varied and would depend largely upon your particular areas of interest. You probably won’t know what these will be until you have qualified and gained some experience.
However, the opportunities can be divided into three main areas, which may at different points in your career overlap.
1. Clinical. Once qualified you will be prepared to practice in the three main areas of perioperative care; anaesthesia; surgery and; post anaesthetic recovery. The actual clinical specialism’s are as diverse as the types of surgery. ODPs are not limited to the operating department and many develop roles outside of theatres, using their core competencies to work in other areas. Examples would include critical care, resuscitation, obstetrics, trauma, advanced surgical practitioner roles, Physicians Assistant in Anaesthesia and so on. Many of these require post graduate qualifications.
2. Education. This could range from teaching and assessing in the clinical environment, through to running your own faculty in a university. At least one ODP has now gone on to take their Doctorate.
3. Management. Although managing perioperative services is the obvious sphere of management, ODPs can be found managing a wide range of hospital services.
The clinical skills and knowledge held by ODPs provides an excellent springboard to a diverse range of career opportunities in healthcare.
Practice Issues
If I work in a specialised area of practice (e.g. resuscitation, endoscopy) or move into a management role, do I have to complete a set number of hours in anaesthetics or surgery in order to maintain registration with the HPC?
The HPC Standards of Proficiency recognise that an ODPs practise will change over time and that individuals may specialise, work in a narrow focussed area of practice or move into a management role. The key thing is that you must only practice in roles for which you are competent. Should you choose to return to an area of practice, such as anaesthesia, you may then need to update your competence at that time. The specific statement is;
Your scope of practice
Your scope of practice is the area or areas of your profession in which you have the knowledge, skills and experience to practise safely and effectively, in a way that meets our standards and does not pose any danger to the public or to yourself. We recognise that a registrant’s scope of practice will change over time and that the practice of experienced registrants often becomes more focused and specialised than that of newly registered colleagues. This might be because of specialisation in a certain clinical area or with a particular client group, or a movement into roles in management, education or research. Your particular scope of practice may mean that you are unable to continue to demonstrate that you meet all of the standards that apply for the whole of your profession. As long as you make sure that you are practising safely and effectively within your given scope of practice and do not practise in the areas where you are not proficient to do so, this will not be a problem. If you want to move outside of your scope of practice you should be certain that you are capable of working safely and effectively. This means that you need to exercise personal judgement by undertaking any necessary training and experience.When the Diploma is replaced by the BSc, will I need to return to full time study in order to maintain my right to practice?
No, you will not as your current qualification gives you eligibility and the licence to practice so long as you are registered with the HPC (registration number is what gives you the licence to practice)
Working in a ward or other unfamiliar environment?
It is increasingly commonplace for ODPs to be asked to provide care in an unfamiliar clinical environment, such as the general wards or the emergency department. We have produced a statement of guidance to assist ODPs.
You should present this to your manager and the investigating officer as evidence.
It would also be helpful to seek the advice and support of your Unison representative,
assuming you are a member of this Union.
Overseas practice
Below is a list of countries where ODPs can currently work.
- Australia in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and partially recognised in Victoria. (Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
in WA will help out with visa sponsorship, contact shane.power@health.wa.gov.au)
- Jersey (workingforjersey@gov.je)
- Guernsey(http://www.health.gov.gg/)
- Holland but will require further training.
- US (only in certain states) as a Surgical Technologist and further training is required.
- Some places in Southern Ireland.
- Periodically jobs do come up in other places such as the middle east.
- New Zealand
You are best off applying to jobs where your skills match rather than the job titles.
Unfortunately you would need to complete the whole ODP programme of study to gain registration with the Health Professions Council, giving you the license to practice in the UK. The qualification is more than surgery and involves anaesthesia and post anaesthetic care. The surgical aspect mainly concentrates on the instrumentation role and only with additional qualification act in the first assistant role. However, you may like to explore the role of a Surgical Care Practitioner (SCP) and to find out more I suggest you contact www.naasp.org.uk
Additionally, you may not be eligible to do a programme of study for ODP in the country as they are mainly bursary supported and there are restrictions on who can access this. www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students
