DA4014 - Principles of Operating Department Practice

You will be empowered to become an independent learner through engagement with an evolving concept curriculum meeting the needs of individuals and families through innovation and the delivery of best practice.

You will learn through a variety of methods, which will include on-line supported learning, seminars and workshops which will utilise enquiry based learning (EBL) and coaching strategies. In addition, you will spend much of your time in practice placements developing and consolidating your learning.

During your time in university you will work with and learn from your peers and also be provided with the opportunity to link with fellow students on other health programmes to facilitate inter-professional learning (IPL). This is a key aspect of the practice modules, facilitating future team-work and reflecting the realities of delivering care in practice.

You will be given the opportunity to engage with and benefit from our experienced student volunteers (Learning Leaders) from previous cohorts who will share their experiences, advising and assisting in your transition as a student Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) both in University and clinical practice.

In practice placements your Practice Supervisors, Practice Assessor, Academic Assessor and Practice module team will support and guide your learning opportunities, working in partnership with Practice Placement Facilitators (PPFs) to enrich your professional development through observation, role modelling and facilitated sessions.

Your learning environment, both in university and practice, will provide you with the opportunity to understand the theoretical background and rationale behind the practice you experience on your placement. This will be enhanced by developing your clinical and reflective skills linking theory and practice.

You will be expected to engage in self-directed study that helps construct knowledge in preparation for you to become a dynamic, safe and caring professional.

A strength of this module is the collaboration between the university and the practice placement partners. This will provide you with a robust student support network whilst studying in clinical practice areas. You will be supported to work in partnership with your Practice Supervisor, Practice Assessor and Academic Assessor, to manage your development in both practice and in university throughout year one.

You will be allocated a Personal Tutor, who will meet with you regularly and provide you with consistent pastoral support and access to academic guidance.

You will have access to the electronic learning portal (eLP) BlackBoard Ultra where you will find a range of learning materials, videos, workbooks and on-line supportive learning packages.

The module is assessed utilising a Pass/Refer based upon meeting the criteria outlined in the North East Practice Assessment Document (NE PAD). The NEPAD for this module has been mapped to the 2023 HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Operating Department Practitioners.

The student support and wellbeing service at Northumbria are excellent points of contact for assistance for queries regarding disability, faith, counselling, mental health support, finance and welfare issues. You can access these services via email on your student portal, by telephone or through the help desk staff based within university libraries. Further details of practice support can be found via the relevant link in the appropriate section of your programme handbook via BlackBoard Ultra.
You will also be supported via the modules OSL systems in addition to face-to-face teaching and group work activities and discussion. You will be able to contact the module team in person, by email or phone and through the Blackboard Ultra. Skills Plus, the University Library’s collection of online learning materials on Blackboard Ultra can be used to support the development of your academic skills. Further support for your learning is provided with a 24 hour IT Helpline, a comprehensive range of services through the Student Support and Wellbeing Team and the University’s student portal, which gives help and advice on student enquiries. https://one.northumbria.ac.uk/service/sls/ssw/Pages/Home.aspx

You will also support each other via peer support, through engaging in discussion and debate to enhance your learning. Additional relevant materials, including the electronic reading list and other teaching and learning methods will be available via Blackboard Ultra and library services. All support will be in line with any Disabled Student Services Recommendations (DSSR). https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/-/media/884c14e22461424ba52c7cf102152d70.ashx?h=16&thn=1&w=16&modified=20190808132301

Ask4Help, MyNorthumbria Student Portal, Student Programme Support and Wellbeing Services for example.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Identify and discuss perioperative policies and guidelines which underpin contemporary healthcare practice.

2. Develop an understand the importance of self-reflection and be able to apply established models of reflection to your clinical practice.

3. You will recognise the key NHS values including prioritising people and be able to discuss the importance of service user feedback.

4. You will develop a knowledge and understanding of basic pharmacology and drug calculations

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:


5. Identify the relevance of professional assessment and intervention on the health, wellbeing and safety of all service users.

6. Describe and demonstrate the principles of safe and appropriate selection, preparation and use of equipment within the perioperative environment.

7. Demonstrate an ability to maintain asepsis in preparing and participating in intraoperative interventions, maintenance of the sterile field and safe disposal of contaminated items.

8. Apply and demonstrate the elements of effective communication and multidisciplinary teamwork within the surgical environment.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

9. Appreciate and discuss the individual and holistic needs of Service Users during the phases of perioperative care

10. Be aware of the professional expectations of healthcare practitioners within current healthcare delivery systems

You will be continuously supervised in your practice placements, this will generate feedback for your assessments.

Formative Assessment

You will undertake a variety of formative assessments, identified in the NE PAD, which include episodes of care, medication assessments, written reflections and service user/patient feedback. These formative assessments will feed into your summative assessment.

At the end of your first full placement you will reflect on your practice development and review your progress with your Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor.


Summative Assessment

Pass/Refer –

Summative: Following feedback from your Practice Supervisors, your Practice Assessor and Academic Assessor will assess you against the proficiencies and evidence in the NE PAD and other Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) professional requirements.

(MLO’s 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10)

None

None

This module spans the whole of your first year as an Apprentice ODP. It will help you develop the fundamental skills that are necessary for safe; effective and professional practice and give you the key skills enabling you to be successful in your perioperative career. During this module you will attend clinical placement and university to support your practice learning. This will allow you to complete more theory and skills based learning and to reflect on your clinical experiences. This will include learning together with your peers in workshops and seminars, all of which will help develop your understanding of the links between theory and practice. You will spend your time in a variety of outstanding practice placements, learning new clinical skills with an understanding of the theory underpinning them. Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors will guide your learning opportunities, working in partnership with your academic team from the university. You will be required to attend all mandatory training in Skills Module 1 prior to commencing clinical placements.