Welcome to your Operating Department Practice course

Welcome to BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice.

We hope you are excited to be joining us in September. We are looking forward to welcoming you. Starting an undergraduate course can be quite daunting, so we want to help you prepare in advance. On this page, you will find lots of useful information that will help you get settled into the Staffordshire University family.

Induction will take place between 23rd-27th September cover key aspects of the course, including: an overview of the modules that you will undertake; course expectations; details of learning resources you will have access to; and information about the support you will receive. Further details regarding induction will be made available in due course.

Your staff team

We want to make sure you know some of our team before you arrive. Hopefully this will help you recognise us and ensure you know who you can contact if you need any additional help and guidance.

Dr Anna Tsaroucha

Course Director

I graduated from the University of Ioannina (Greece) in 1996 with a BA in Philosophy, Paedagogy and Psychology (First Class).

Anna's profile

Rebecca Wright

Senior Lecturer

I am the lead for direct entry BSc (Hons) in Operating Department Practice I contribute to both the teaching and planning for both direct entry and apprenticeship students.

Rebecca's profile

Dawn-Marie Sharman

Senior Lecturer

Ben Woodrow-Hirst

Lecturer

Stanley Mills

Lecturer

Stan is a registered Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) and lecturer within University of Staffordshire. He has experience in clinical mentoring and supervision, simulation training and theatre leadership across NHS and private hospital trusts.

Stanley's profile

Wendy Johnson

Work Based Education Officer

First activity

To prepare for the course, you may want to:

  • Consider how you will travel to campus and placement, research public transport links, walking routes and car parking.
  • Make a list of any worries or concerns you may have and contact a member of the course team to discuss.
  • Consider the key skills that you will need to undertake undergraduate study and how this differs from school/college and other courses you may have completed. Undergraduate study is student driven and requires personal study over and above timetabled teaching.
  • Familiarise yourself with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) webpages and the content they contain The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) | (hcpc-uk.org)-
  • Consider your options for self care, we understand the transition to university life is exciting but can also cause some anxieties. Having a self care plan can help with this. Self care and wellbeing will be explored during the course.

Within your first few weeks on the ODP course you will have modules launched, HCPC standards lectures, professionalism, expectations, and support with academic writing and referencing, we also aim to let you know your placement area as soon as possible.

Course delivery

As a student studying for BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice, you will be required to undertake a mixture of face to face, online and directed study as well as virtual practice and traditional clinical placement. All sessions are mandatory and required to achieve your competencies. You will have 7 weeks annual leave per year, these are timetabled within the programme. Details of your flow through and annual leave will be provided in welcome week. Most of your face-to-face teaching will be at Stafford Campus but you may be required to travel to Stoke campus for some sessions where specialist rooms/equipment are required. You will be expected to travel to your placement area. Please be aware this may not be a local hospital to where you live as we have placements over a large geographical area.

For further information click here

Vaccinations requirements

Details regarding the vaccination programme can be found here

For further information click here

Student Uniform

When attending skills sessions and placement you will be required to adhere to uniform policy, this will be discussed during welcome week. Your uniform is a sign of your profession and helps demonstrate your professionalism. You may want to consider a suitable bag for carrying uniform and shoes, changing rooms and lockers will be available on campus.

For further information click here

Introductory Reading

If you would like to carry out some preparatory reading for the course, here are some suggestions (we don’t expect you to read them all!):

What is an Operating Department Practitioner? A Health Education England video.

Fundamentals of Operating Department Practice, 2nd Edition: Daniel Rodger, Kevin Henshaw, Paul Rawling, Scott Miller, 2022

The Healthcare Students' Academic Companion: Steve Moutrey, 2020.

Course Delivery

As a student studying for BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice, you will be required to undertake a mixture of face to face, online and directed study as well as virtual and traditional clinical placement. All sessions are mandatory and required to achieve your competencies. You will have 7 weeks annual leave per year, these are timetabled within the programme. Details of your flow through and annual leave will be provided in welcome week. Most of your face-to-face teaching will be at Stafford Campus but you may be required to travel to Stoke campus for some sessions where specialist rooms/equipment are required. You will be expected to travel to your placement area. Please be aware this may not be a local hospital to where you live as we have placements over a large geographical area.

Downloadable Software

There is a variety of software which can be downloaded from the University’s website and can also be accessed via the button below. This software is free for all of our students, as we understand to reach your full potential and succeed in your degree you need the tools to help you. The software available includes:

  • Microsoft Office 365
  • Microsoft Teams
  • SPSS and AMOS
  • Maple
  • NVivo
  • Sophos Antivirus
  • Asure Dev Tools for Teaching
  • VMWare
  • Free Training

For further information click here

Other Useful Links

For further information click here

Academic skills

Whether you're joining us from school or college, or you're returning to education after some time away, everyone can benefit from the Academic Study Skills resources provided by the University library.

The Academic Skills team is here to support you throughout your academic journey and to help you gain the skills you need to reach your full potential. They can assist with academic reading and writing skills, give advice on how best to plan assignments, and help improve your time management.

The library's Academic Skills Guides offer the key information to make studying easier and give a comprehensive guide to the learning resources and services we offer.

Staffs CampusConnect

Staffs CampusConnect is our student-led community app for new students. Connect with other people from your course, hometown or country, and even those with similar interests.

To register, please ensure you use your Applicant ID (Student Number) that you received in your offer letter, and the email address you used in your application to us.

Register for CampusConnect

Welcome website

Our welcome website will provide you the link to your new student life. It's all about how you find your place at university, including everything from how to meet friends, feel confident in doing your academic work, being a member of your Student Union and getting involved in Union Societies, Academic Societies, Sports, Volunteering or representing your peers in your School.

Part of this Welcome Week - we have an exciting program of University and course level activities planned for you for your first week in September. We are also building an extended program for you to join a series of events throughout the first half of the autumn term. Further details will be shared with you via the Welcome website and Students' Union pages over the coming weeks.

Welcome website

Campus map

Use our campus map to familiarise yourself with our campus before you arrive.

Campus map (PDF)

Check your email

Please make sure you check your personal email account regularly over the next few weeks. We will be sending you lots of information about Welcome Week.

We look forward to welcoming you in September.

If you have any questions, please send them to your Course Leader: Rebecca Wright rebecca.wright1@staffs.ac.uk 

 

 

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