FATP · an independent directoryApprenticeship data sourced from DfE, ESFA and IfATEUpdated daily · GB
L6Apprenticeship3061 approved provider
The Level 6 Operating department practitioner, and the 1 provider delivering it.
Supporting operating theatre staff and providing care to patients at all stages of an operation.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices train to become registered healthcare professionals responsible for patient care across all three phases of a surgical procedure: anaesthetics, surgery, and recovery. The programme covers patient assessment, safe administration of medication, anaesthetic equipment checks, management of surgical instruments, and safe patient moving and handling. Alongside clinical skills, apprentices develop evidence-based practice, professional decision-making, and the ability to evaluate care outcomes. The standard also requires apprentices to maintain their own CPD and contribute to the development of colleagues.
Day-to-day responsibilities
In clinical placements, apprentices work directly in operating theatres under supervision, preparing anaesthetic and surgical equipment, scrubbing in to assist surgeons, and monitoring patients in the recovery bay. They check drug and equipment readiness before each list, document care accurately, and communicate with the wider multidisciplinary team including surgeons, anaesthetists, and ward nurses. As competence grows, they take increasing responsibility for leading on specific perioperative phases and managing the theatre environment during procedures.
Career outlook
Graduates register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as qualified Operating Department Practitioners, which opens roles across NHS trusts, independent hospitals, and private surgical centres. Common starting titles include Qualified ODP and Perioperative Practitioner, with progression into senior or specialist ODP roles, team leader positions, or clinical education. Experienced ODPs move into theatre management, advanced practice, or roles supporting surgical training. The qualification also provides a foundation for postgraduate study in anaesthetic or surgical specialties.
1 approved provider
Sorted by achievement rate.
Anglia Ruskin University ARU
Employer: 3.0
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is an innovative UK university offering a wide portfolio of learning ...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Graduates register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and work as qualified Operating Department Practitioners. Typical entry-level positions include Band 5 ODP, Anaesthetic Practitioner, Scrub Practitioner, and Recovery Practitioner. Some move directly into specialist perioperative roles covering specific surgical disciplines such as cardiac, orthopaedic, or paediatric theatres. The qualification is a registerable degree, so completion leads to independent professional practice rather than a junior or assistant grade.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, many ODPs progress to Band 6 Senior ODP or Team Leader roles, taking on responsibility for a specific theatre specialism or shift coordination. Beyond that, the field splits broadly between clinical leadership and specialist practice. The leadership track leads to Band 7 Theatre Manager or Perioperative Lead positions. The specialist track can lead to Advanced Practitioner or Surgical Care Practitioner roles, including first assistant duties in theatre. Some ODPs move into education, working as Practice Educators or university lecturers training the next generation of practitioners.
Where these roles sit
The majority of qualified ODPs work in NHS acute trusts, across district general hospitals and large teaching hospitals throughout the UK. Independent sector employers, including private hospital groups and specialist surgical centres, are a consistent source of vacancies. A smaller number of roles exist in the defence medical services, day surgery units, and independent treatment centres. Demand is consistent across all regions, and the HCPC registration requirement means the qualification is recognised across the whole of the UK.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Learning takes place in the workplace and in off-the-job settings throughout the programme, with apprentices building competence across the three phases of perioperative care: anaesthesia, surgery, and post-anaesthesia recovery. Before moving to final assessment, the apprentice and employer must confirm readiness through a gateway process, which typically involves evidence that the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours are in place. Final assessment then confirms whether the apprentice can practise safely and independently as a registered healthcare professional. Assessment for standards at this level is currently being updated as part of ongoing reforms, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Building a strong body of workplace evidence from early in the programme makes the final stages considerably easier. Apprentices should keep records of clinical experiences across all perioperative phases, noting decisions made, outcomes achieved, and reflection on practice. Working regularly with both the employer and training provider to review progress against the standard helps avoid gaps emerging late. Because this standard leads to professional registration, maintaining up-to-date records of supervised practice and continuous professional development throughout the programme is particularly important.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Providers delivering this standard should have established relationships with NHS trusts or independent sector surgical units that offer genuine clinical placements across all three perioperative phases: anaesthetics, scrub, and post-anaesthetic care. On the FATP profile, look for an achievement rate above 65%, ideally above 75%, given the four-year duration and the complexity of reaching HCPC registration. Employer satisfaction scores matter here because the employer is usually the placement host too. Check that the provider holds approval to deliver an HCPC-regulated programme and can show recent cohorts who have successfully registered as practitioners.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a provider cannot confirm their programme carries HCPC approval or if they are vague about how clinical placement hours are structured across all three scrub specialisms. A high volume of learners paired with a declining achievement rate is a warning sign on any four-year programme, but especially one leading to statutory registration. If learner reviews mention poor communication from academic tutors or difficulty securing placement variety, take those seriously. Providers unable to name alumni who have progressed to registered ODP posts should prompt further scrutiny.
Questions to ask before you commit
- How is clinical placement time allocated across anaesthetics, scrub, and post-anaesthetic care, and who coordinates placement access?
- Which NHS trusts or surgical units do you currently work with, and how do you manage learners where theatre capacity is limited?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how has it changed over the last two years?
- How do you support learners through the HCPC registration process at the point of completion?
- What happens if a learner falls behind on clinical competencies mid-programme?
- How do academic tutors stay current with perioperative practice, and when were course materials last reviewed?
- What pastoral and academic support is available to learners balancing shift patterns with coursework demands?
Common questions
What qualifications or experience do you need to start an operating department practitioner apprenticeship?
Applicants typically need a good standard of general education, including passes in English and Maths, though individual employers and training providers set their own entry criteria. Some employers prefer candidates with prior healthcare experience or a relevant Level 3 qualification, but this is not always mandatory. Apprentices must also meet Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration requirements on completion, so providers will check that applicants can meet those fitness-to-practise standards from the outset.
How does the time commitment work, and can the apprentice keep working throughout?
Yes, apprentices are employed throughout and apply their learning directly in an operating department setting from day one. The typical duration for this standard is 48 months. A portion of contracted hours is dedicated to off-the-job learning, though the exact percentage is subject to ongoing Skills England reforms. Check the current apprenticeship standard on gov.uk for the latest specification before planning rotas or study timetables with your training provider.
How is the apprenticeship assessed, and what is the gateway?
Before moving to end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through a gateway. This is a formal checkpoint where the employer, training provider and apprentice confirm that all on-programme learning is complete and the apprentice is ready to demonstrate full occupational competence. Assessment models for many standards are currently being reviewed, so check gov.uk for the current end-point assessment plan for this standard. On completion, graduates apply to register with the HCPC as a qualified ODP.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship, and what does it cost?
The funding band for this standard is £26,000, which is the maximum that can be drawn from apprenticeship funding. Larger employers with an apprenticeship levy account use those funds directly. Smaller employers without a levy account co-invest with the government, currently paying only a small percentage of training costs. Employers with fewer than 50 staff taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing. Contact your training provider to confirm exact co-investment figures.
What does an operating department practitioner apprentice actually do day to day?
Apprentices work across all three phases of a patient's surgical journey: the anaesthetic room before surgery, the operating theatre during procedures, and the recovery area afterwards. Day-to-day tasks include checking and setting up anaesthetic equipment, handling and accounting for surgical instruments, assisting with patient positioning and transfer, monitoring patients as they recover from anaesthesia, and administering medication under supervision. They also maintain a safe theatre environment and manage specialist equipment, all while building clinical decision-making skills under the guidance of registered practitioners.
What can a qualified operating department practitioner do after completing the apprenticeship?
On completion, graduates register with the HCPC and practise as qualified ODPs. From there, career development typically moves towards specialist roles such as scrub lead, anaesthetic practitioner, or recovery specialist. Some ODPs progress into management, education, or research roles within NHS trusts or independent hospitals. Further study at postgraduate level is also an option, including master's programmes in perioperative practice or related clinical fields. Continuing professional development is a professional requirement and underpins progression throughout an ODP career.
Not sure which provider fits?
Tell us a bit about your team and we'll send a shortlist.
Need help choosing a provider?
Tell us your requirements and we'll match you with the right training providers.
Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 306.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.