Operating Department Practice with Foundation Year - BSc (Hons)
The Foundation Year option gives you extra time and support to help you build your knowledge, skills and confidence before starting a full degree. It is designed to prepare you for a range of health courses, not one particular BSc degree, so you will study a broad range of subjects to prepare you to continue on to successful BSc level study....
Clearing 2021
Sorry, there are no places available on this course for 2021.
Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Information about the arrangements the University has put in place for the 2021/22 academic year in response to Covid-19 and the emerging variants can be found here.
Should the impact of Covid-19 continue in subsequent years of your course, any additional and/or alternative arrangements put in place by the University in response will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
- Level Foundation
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City South
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2021
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Health Sciences
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Course is Full for 2021/22 Entry
This course is now full for 2021/22. You can apply for 2022/23 via UCAS from September 2021.
If you'd still like to apply for September 2021, take a look at some of our other available courses.
Overview
The Foundation Year option gives you extra time and support to help you build your knowledge, skills and confidence before starting a full degree. It is designed to prepare you for a range of health courses, not one particular BSc degree, so you will study a broad range of subjects to prepare you to continue on to successful BSc level study. You'll develop a range of practical and analytical skills that will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in healthcare.
Please note: entry requirements for degree course
Upon completion of your Foundation Year, if your chosen course is regulated by a professional body such as the HCPC, you will be required to successfully complete the University’s selection process for the specific programme which will include an interview in order to proceed onto year one of the full degree programme. Entry onto year one of the degree programme will also be subject to a satisfactory DBS and Occupational Health Assessment.
Tailor your Health Sciences Degree
When you successfully complete your Foundation Year, you will be able to progress onto a range of Undergraduate courses at the School of Health Sciences. These include:
- BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography
- BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice
- BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy
- BSc (Hons) Speech & Language Therapy
Why choose a foundation year course?
By studying a foundation year in Health Sciences, your first year will be spent learning a wide range of broad subject areas which then open up opportunities for you to specialise further in your next year – which would be the first year of a full degree programme.
You will study very broad subjects in your foundation year, which is designed to prepare you for a range of courses and not just one particular BSc degree.
So although you are studying a BSc in a specific course – BSc Operating Department Practice – the foundation year sets you up for a number of other possible degrees starting the following year. It may be that you don’t end up doing a degree in precisely the same subject as your foundation year.
This flexibility is one of the great things about the foundation year category - Health Sciences, allowing you to find out more about your interests and talents before focusing on a three year degree. The foundation year also helps us at BCU to make sure we help to match you to the degree that fits you best.
What's covered in this course?
The course combines theoretical and practical skills, complemented with clinical placements in a range of specialities and settings. Our approach to learning means that you will leave with clinical competence and the ability to apply best knowledge to direct patient care in contemporary healthcare settings.
Your work will be assessed using a mix of methods including text based submissions, written examinations, oral examinations, presentations and clinical skills assessment both in placement and within simulated learning environments on campus. You will be encouraged to develop and demonstrate a range of skills to prepare you for a successful career as an Operating Department Practitioner, including confidence in care delivery, the ability to research, appraise and evaluate evidence.
Why Choose Us?
- Excellent track record of developing high quality professionals
- High graduate employability rate
- Exposure to quality placement learning experiences
- Wide variety of career opportunities
- Strong links in industry
- Study in our £41 million campus
Similar Courses
Entry Requirements
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
Essential Requirements
|
88 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level |
||
| Level 2 Qualifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
| GCSE |
|
|
| BTEC Level 2 Diploma |
|
|
| BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate |
|
|
| City and Guilds Level 2 Certificates in Adult Numeracy/ Adult Literacy |
|
|
| Functional Skills/ Essential Skills level 2 |
|
|
| Key Skills level 2 |
|
|
| Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) |
|
|
| Scottish Intermediate 2 |
|
|
| Scottish Credit Standard Grade |
|
|
| Scottish National 5 |
|
|
| IELTS |
|
|
| Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
| UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
| A level and Advanced VCE |
|
|
| Access to HE Diploma |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Wales and Northern Ireland) |
|
|
| NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| City and Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080) |
|
|
|
International Baccalaureate Diploma |
|
|
|
Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |
|
|
|
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma |
|
|
|
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Open University courses |
|
|
|
Scottish Advanced Higher |
|
|
|
T-Levels |
|
|
|
Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) |
|
|
|
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component |
|
|
| Other qualifications | ||
|
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Recent relevant study to GCE A-level standard or above must have been completed within five years of the course intake date the applicant is applying for. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. Upon completion of your Foundation Year, you will be required to successfully complete the University’s selection process for the specific programme which will include an interview in order to proceed onto year one of the full degree programme. Entry onto year one of the degree programme will also be subject to a satisfactory DBS and Occupational Health Assessment. |
||
Fees & How to Apply
- UK students
- International students
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year foundation followed by 3 year degree
- £9,250 per year
- Applications Closed
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
This course is now full for 2021/22. You can apply for 2022/23 via UCAS from September 2021.
If you'd still like to apply for September 2021, take a look at some of our other available courses.
Course in Depth
Foundation Year
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
20 credits
This module is designed to support you in your transition to studying in a Higher Education environment at Birmingham City University. Through a range of class-based group and individual activities, discussions, debates, personal reflection and wider reading and research, you will have opportunities to consider academic conventions, which include: effective use of literature; sourcing and reviewing information; various forms of academic writing; developing reflective capacity. You will also receive guidance on study skills and strategies, which will enhance previously acquired skills.
These professional skills are transferable and will be valuable not only in the immediate context but throughout your continued education and employment. By engaging with this module, we have set out clearly what we expect of you at foundation and undergraduate level, and will equip you with the confidence, competence and capacity to utilise resources to be able to meet expectations in this environment.
An essential element of this module will be your ability to analyse and reflect on your own learning and the way in which you have applied your knowledge, skill and understanding to any academic context in which you have engaged to date. Communicating effectively through a variety of academic conventions is a key skill for any student and this will be a feature of this module.
20 credits
This module is designed to help you gain awareness and understanding of current challenges around Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity and how this impacts upon the Health, Education and Social Sciences sector, preparing you for your future education and journey into practice.
Introducing the Equality Act 2010 as the overarching legislation that focuses on Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, the module is based on themes that are covered by this Act. The nine protected characteristics, upon which a person can be discriminated, as laid down in the Equality Act, will be discussed throughout and you will be introduced to case studies relevant to your chosen pathways.
The module will give you the opportunity to discuss debate and reflect upon how challenges around Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity may present themselves. Using problem and inquiry based learning you will have the opportunity to explore and discuss ways of working which can help to minimise discrimination in your own practice. The module will be made up of lead lectures, taught sessions, group work and individual study.
An essential element of this module will be your ability to analyse and reflect on your own experiences and perceptions, whilst gaining an awareness and appreciating the differences of others.
20 credits
This module will focus on enabling you to gain a deeper understanding of the interpersonal skills and behaviours required to work in your chosen area. Through a range of class based and student focused activities you will explore the different concepts of effective interpersonal and professional behaviours essential to your own personal development and progression. By engaging in this module you will reflect on your own and others values, beliefs and behaviours identifying how this can impact on the way in which you will be viewed by others. You will also address the importance of effective communication and how this can lead you to have a more professional approach in your chose area of work.
20 credits
This module is designed to support you in your transition to studying in a Higher Education environment at Birmingham City University, allowing you the opportunity to negotiate learning of a bespoke subject. Under the guidance of tutors, you will be able to direct your learning and identify relevant learning opportunities that you feel enable you to learning more about a specific field of study.
The subject area within this module is student-led, with guidance and facilitation from designated academic and practice support. You will identify an area of study that you would like to review and evaluate, and which relates to your foundation year pathway and indicate programme.
A significant proportion of the module is based around negotiation with academic facilitators to identify extended areas of study and opportunities that are possible to enhance your towards completion of the study.
The module is not reliant on traditional taught subject sessions, although you will be expected to attend classes where you will work in peer learning groups exploring and developing your negotiated study. This approach to studying is closely allied to learning within the workplace.
20 credits
An appreciation of the principles of Human Biology plays a central role in the understanding of the workings of the human body. This module is organised into three distinct phases from fundamental principles, to physiological processes, and then disruption of the interplay of such systems in human disorders. This understanding provides a solid foundation for the subsequent study in a range of disciplines from healthcare, allied healthcare, and other disciplines requiring an understanding of human biology. The topics covered will also be underpinned by practical activities. Pre- and post-session activities will help to develop your key transferable skills such as being able to reflect and ask probing questions as well as being able to think independently. Development of these skills will ensure a growth in maturity and boost your confidence which will lead to unlocking your learning potential.
20 credits
Students embarking on health related studies and careers need to have a knowledge and understanding of the factors that contribute to creating good health. Evidence shows that the majority of these factors lie outside of the healthcare and clinical remit and so it is important that students are aware of the wider social, economic, environmental and political drivers of states of health of the population, group or client group they may encounter. As health services are reoriented towards prevention of ill-health and health improvement, all health science students need to consider the ways in which they may work in future, to both understand the social determinants of health and the principles and practice of health promotion in order to improve health, prevent ill-health and reduce health inequalities.
Year One
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
20 credits
Foundations of Learning in Operating Department Practice aims will introduce you to learning styles and relevant theoretical models of learning and teaching which can help you appreciate the academic and clinical environment.
You will identify your own learning style and needs and identify how this will impact on your transition to higher education within healthcare. You will also learn to understand how services users are important to your own learning and equally how you affect the service user.
20 credits
Essential Biosciences for Operating Department Practice module aims to introduce you to biosciences and the essential knowledge of the human body that is required as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) to care for a range of service users. This module will enable you to understand the human body, its normal functions and deviations from this normality.
You will learn anatomy of the human body, physiology and the principles of pharmacology in relation to the perioperative patient. You will identify how homeostasis affects altered states of health and its impact on care.
40 credits
Foundations of Care in Operating Department Practice aims to introduce you to the role and responsibilities of the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) working safely as part of the anaesthetic, surgical and post anaesthetic teams. It will allow you develop your knowledge and understanding of the individualised, holistic care provided to elective surgical patients and the notion of human factors in ensuring a safe patient journey through the operating theatre.
You will learn the principles of perioperative care and the impact this may have upon patient and staff safety and be able to assess, plan, implement and review the care required for patients in anaesthetics, surgery and post-anaesthetic care.
20 credits
The Foundations of Evidence-based Practice (EBP) allows you to explore the concept and principles of evidence-based practice in the context of your role as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP). The key elements of evidence-based practice will be introduced and the contribution of evidence to the quality of service delivery in the operating department will be explored.
You will learn what EBP is and how it guides quality perioperative care. You will learn how to search for good quality evidence from appropriate sources determining the suitability of the evidence and using the evidence to provide high quality care for service users.
20 credits
Becoming an Allied Health Professional (AHP) will introduce concepts such as professionalism, student’s code of conduct, personality traits and your impact within the operating theatre team. The module is closely aligned to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards, which you will be expected to work within throughout your student and post-qualification careers.
0 credits
Foundations of Operating Department Practice in clinical practice, aims to help you develop safe and effective transferable practice under direct supervision of a mentor.
You will contribute to the interprofessional team caring for the patient undergoing elective procedures in anaesthetics, surgery and post anaesthetic care units. This will include checking, selecting and preparing equipment, participating in the five steps to safer surgery and patient assessment.
Year Two
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
20 credits
Facilitation of Teaching and Learning in Operating Department Practice aims to build upon the foundation knowledge of how learners learn from your first year to facilitate teaching and assessment of learners in clinical practice.
You will explore teaching pedagogies and theories, which will help you to understand the evidence base behind approaches utilised to facilitate effective teaching and learning in practice. You will also explore the importance of diversity and inclusivity and its role in engaging learners throughout their professional clinical journey.
20 credits
The Diversifying Surgical Care Delivery Module builds upon the knowledge, skills and abilities from year one including the Bioscience and Foundations of Care in Operating Department Practice module. This will allow you to deliver care to a wide range of patients with diverse individual needs as a member of the multi-disciplinary theatre team within the operating theatre and beyond.
40 credits
Diversifying Anaesthetic & Post Anaesthetic Care module aims to build upon the foundations you acquired in year one and further explore anaesthetics and post-anaesthetic care delivery. It will allow you to develop in your role as an anaesthetic practitioner as you begin to deliver care to diverse patient groups undergoing elective and non-elective surgery.
20 credits
Applications of Evidence-based Practice module will allow you to explore the relationship between research and evidence within perioperative care. You will develop an understanding of the research process to move the profession forward.
You will learn to analyse methods of enquiry in operating department practice and appraise research evidence to identify areas of good practice and those requiring further research.
20 credits
Identifying & Developing Leadership Skills for the Operating Department Practitioner module will allow you to identify, examine and discuss the importance of leadership abilities and the impact of these upon others. You will examine current themes within healthcare settings which ultimately have an impact on patient care and safety, and how the Operating Department Practitioner’s (ODP) leadership abilities can manage this.
0 credits
Development of Operating Department Practice in clinical practice, aims to help you develop safe and effective transferable practice under supervision of a practice supervisor to plan and deliver care for a range of patients across the lifespan.
You will contribute to the inter-professional team caring for the patient undergoing complex and emergency procedures in anaesthetics, surgery and post-anaesthetic care units. This will include paediatric, shared airway, trauma and obstetric surgery.
Year Three
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
20 credits
The Advancing Leadership into Management for the ODP and Supporting Learners in Practice module will focus on your professional development with a specific focus on developing your leadership skills ready to transition as a registered Operating Department Practitioner (ODP).
20 credits
Acute Care Beyond the Operating Theatre aims to prepare you for the demands of an ever-evolving perioperative environment once you are qualified and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP).
20 credits
The Surgical First Assistance module allows you to understand the care of the surgical patient as a member of the extended surgical team. It will prepare you to work in the role of the Surgical First Assistant (SFA) as an ODP once you are qualified and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
40 credits
Independent Research within Operating Department Practice will allow you to develop inquiry based learning as you undertake a primary or secondary research study as a research investigator to inform perioperative practice.
You will learn the importance of self-management, supported by a Faculty supervisor, to collect and analyse data within your chosen methodological framework, and learn how to disseminate the findings of research in order to make recommendations for future practice within the operating department setting.
20 credits
The Negotiated Professional Practice module is designed to consolidate your learning over the last two years to prepare you for the demands of an ever-evolving Operating Department Practice (ODP) profession. As ODPs practise in increasingly diverse settings, this module allows you to select a specialist area of interest and evaluate its benefits to service users as well as your own professional development as a future registrant of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
0 credits
Proficiency of Operating Department Practice in clinical practice, aims to help you demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment as an Operating Department Practitioner exercising initiative and personal responsibility to meet the professional standards required by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
You will contribute to the inter-professional team caring for the patient within and outside of the operating theatre as a member of the theatre team and extended surgical and anaesthetic teams.
You have the flexibility to transfer to a standard undergraduate programme from the School of Health Sciences or the School of Nursing and Midwifery upon successfully completing your Foundation Year subject to DBS, Occupational Therapy Assessments and space available on the degree programmes, including:
- BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences
- BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography
- BSc (Hons) Food and Nutrition
- BSc (Hons) Nursing - Adult
- BSc (Hons) Nursing - Learning Disability
- BSc (Hons) Nursing - Mental Health
- BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy
- BSc (Hons) Speech & Language Therapy
Your programme is delivered using a modular approach and divides the content of the programme into manageable elements of study and practice learning opportunities.
From structured lectures to personal use of our multimedia facilities, the focus for learning in the classroom is to help you to:
- Work as part of a team
- Understand how an ODP fits into the team and what they do
- Understand the role played by other professionals
- Manage your clinical workload
- Make informed decisions to enhance clinical practice using the evidence base to support this
- Communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team and service users
- Adapt to different practice settings and be proactive in identifying and responding to your development needs.
The knowledge and skills in relation to the 3 main areas of perioperative practice; anaesthesia, surgery and post-operative care are introduced, developed and enhanced over the 3 year duration of the course.
The module delivery is arranged in blocks to allow you to apply your new knowledge in the clinical setting.
You will experience a mixture of teaching, self-directed study and practice-based clinical placements, spending 60% of your time each year on placement.
Successful completion of this programme gives eligibility to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council for registration as an Operating Department Practitioner.
Additional support
If you are dyslexic, have a specific learning difference or a disability, we have a Disability Tutor who can help and support you.
Accreditation or professional associations
Successful students can apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Employability
Enhancing employability skills
To prepare students to meet the requirements for eligibility to apply for entry onto the Health and Care Professions Council register as Registered Operating Department Practitioners.
Combines theory with clinical placement to enhance awareness of different specialities in preparation for employment in operating theatre departments.
Develops transferable skills for working in a range of health care settings and recognising the need for life-long learning.
Placements
You will be required to travel for your clinical placements to engage in a broad range of specialities and practice areas. These placements will be with both NHS and independent health providers across the West Midlands.
It is important you appreciate that fees for accommodation and/or travel will require personal financial outlay; these may be reimbursable to some extent, the most up-to-date information can be found on the NHS Business Service Authority website and the administrative team can also advise. Additionally there is no guarantee of a placement in a specific hospital or area.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Facilities and Staff
Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that medical staff may come across.
These resources are essential in offering students a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice. Much of our teaching is carried out within our state-of-the-art, £30m Seacole Building, which houses cutting-edge learning facilities.
Take a virtual tour of our skills suites at Seacole
In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that students learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. These include the only mock operating theatre in an English university and a cutting-edge radiography virtual clinical training facility, virtual ward and virtual case creator.
Operating theatre
The mock operating theatre is set up in the way that you would it find in a hospital, with all of the machinery, tools and equipment necessary. Operating theatres can be daunting and confusing places on first view but with access to our mock theatre, you will be able to build up confidence and feel comfortable in your working environment.
Skills Practice and Care Enhancement facility
The SPACE (Skills Practice And Care Enhancement) learning facility lets you further practice the skills taught in class, at your own pace and convenience.
It is fully stocked with the specialist items and equipment needed for procedures such as taking blood pressure, giving an injection, abdominal examination of a pregnant woman and caring for ill babies in an incubator.
Mary Seacole Library
The Seacole library, based at City South Campus, is one of the UK's largest specialist health education libraries. The state-of-the art facility offers an extensive range of range of information and reference materials set out in a relaxing environment, conducive to studying. There are comfortable seating areas, group study areas, a silent study area and private study rooms.
Computer facilities
The Seacole building houses a large open access IT Suite which comprises of 96 PCs, full colour printers, photocopiers and scanners. Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
The IT Suite offers extended opening hours and is supported by a specialist Open Access Assistant during term time. In addition to the open access PCs within the IT Suite, there are 12 networked student PCs available within Seacole library.
Our staff
Mark Hetherington
Course Leader HELS Foundation Year / Professional Navigator / Senior Lecturer
Mark joined the Professional Development Department (PDD) in 2018 as a Professional Navigator and as a Academic Skills tutor. During this time he has been involved in the development and running of the Faculty of Health Education and Life Sciences Foundation Year as both a course leader and module leader. At current there are two iterations of the Foundation Year catering for intakes in September and January. The Foundation Year allows students to progress onto a variety of HELS undergraduate courses.
More about Mark