Katie O'Connor

Katie's career as an ODP began at Birmingham City University 15 years ago when she undertook the Diploma in Higher Education in Operating Department Practice, she has been qualified for almost 13 years.

Since qualification Katie has worked full time in the clinical environment working pre-dominantly in anaesthetics and recovery. She has a particular interest in assisting with managing difficult airways and enjoyed working in the Ear, Nose and Throat and Emergency specialities.

After around 5 years she moved into a an education base role. Katie was employed as a Simulation Lead for a local hospital; where she was tasked with setting-up, developing and running a simulation curriculum to a range of undergraduate and post-graduate healthcare professionals. It is within this role that she was able to undertake her Masters and become a full Resuscitation Council instructor for both adult and paediatric advance life support.

Since moving into education full time Katie has maintained clinical credibility by ensuring she undertakes regular clinical shifts. During the pandemic she was redeployed back to the operating theatre to support with the care of COVID-19 patients.

Since joining the University in Jan 2021 Katie has undertaken the module lead role for several modules and played an active part in prompting the University and her profession through a number of outreach events as the outreach lead.