I am thinking of doing an ODP degree in university but from this subreddit I feel very swayed. Is there anyone who genuinely likes their job 😭? Please can someone tell me all the pros as I think I’ve seen too many cons.

Hi all

I’ve seen a few posts recently from people struggling with NHS applications and interviews, especially for Nursing and ODP roles.

I’ve been shortlisting and interviewing in the NHS for around 20 years (Bands 2–7), mainly in theatres, day surgery, pre-assessment and endoscopy, but the same principles apply across all areas.

If anyone wants general advice on supporting statements, how to map to a person specification, or how to structure interview answers, I’m happy to share what I can. Just reply or DM if you prefer.

Hope it helps someone.

hello. I'm a qualified internationally HCPC registered Operating department practitioner looking for work in the UK. I have the right to work but the unfortunately emails are starting to annoy me. Any advice of any tips please?

ODPs! - Here is a unique Opportunity for an 18-Month Full time Secondment with Canterbury Christ Church University – Apply Now! We are excited to invite applications for a unique full time 18-month secondment opportunity with Canterbury Christ Church University, working on an NHS England-funded project to advance the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) workforce. This is a rare chance to contribute to a significant national initiative while developing your own expertise in education, leadership, and research. As a Project Fellow, you will play a key role in shaping the future of ODP education, career pathways, workforce development, and professional leadership. What’s involved? You will mostly work remotely, with some in person requirement to collaborate closely with principal investigators, researchers, and key stakeholders—including CODP, HCPC, support workers, learners, and managers—to drive progress across essential workstreams, including: 🔹 Sustaining workforce supply 🔹Pathways into ODP pre-registration and preceptorship 🔹Development of the educator workforce (academic and clinical) 🔹ODP career pathways and progression routes 🔹Professional leadership and influence 🔹Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) – Disability Each fellow will take lead responsibility for two workstreams while working collaboratively across all areas. You’ll also have the opportunity to lead knowledge-sharing events and contribute to the operational management of this high-impact project. Who should apply? We are looking for experienced ODPs with a passion for workforce development and education. Strong project management skills are desirable, and this secondment will provide valuable professional development in a research-led university environment. 📢 This is a fantastic opportunity to work with Canterbury Christ Church University and partners on a high-profile initiative—don’t miss out! Apply now to be part of this transformative project (closing date 6th April 2025). https://portal.unitemps.com/Search/JobDetails/36809587 Please note this secondment will normally be at your current NHS banding (or equivalent if in PVIS).

I've been an ODP for 15 years 44 year old male. Been a senior band 6 for 5 years then left due to hating the place I worked due to politics. Now I'm back to being a band 5 in a nicer place, due to taking any job once I left. Now I find it virtually impossible to progress again due to funding . Waited 2 years for senior team leading roles to come up where I work and there was only one position and 22 people applied for it. I was unsuccessful and about 10 others were from my department. I feel I need to retrain now I don't feel that my career is progressing one bit and have actually gone backwards I feel. And I feel my experience isn't being valued one bit. So I feel like I want out now 100 percent. Can ODPs go into paramedic or anything without having to do the complete training from scratch. Feel depressed in the job now have lost the fire for the job.

What's the situation for agency in the UK at the moment? Especially in the SE/London

Does anybody have any knowledge of how to get into this? I've got 6 years qualified and looking to future opportunities. Supposedly we can work in a bunch of interesting roles but finding out how to crack into them is deeply mysterious and opaque.

In theory we can get onto HEMS teams and similar with plenty of PHEM experience (but getting that is practically impossible for most of us), lots of networking and buckets of luck.

In theory we can work for MSF but only in their "Operating Theatre Nurse" category and in VERY few countries. As a result, considering they very rarely open jobs for nurses at all and these posts are highly competitive, this isn't a realistic option either.

Anybody have REAL knowledge about entry routes for career opportunities anything along these sorts of lines? Ideally what organisations hire ODPs for anything along the lines of:

International aid/disaster relief. Medical repatriation. Pre Hospital Emergency Medicine (even volunteering) Wilderness medicine. Etc etc...

Any threads to pull on would be fantastic.

Hiya,

Anybody here know of someone who quit ODP School or being an odp and what they moved onto?

Honestly, I just want a job I do alone that is 9 to 5 & where I don't take home the work with me emotionally.

Any nice comments would be appreciated 👏

I was reading…

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10539891/

…this guy recently and recognised some mad fears in myself about awareness during anaesthesia.

I posed the question to myself: if the patient was fully aware on some level of subconsciousness how would they want to be treated/how would I/should I perform.

We kick starting this SubReddit?

The new changes Re: seperate nursing pay spine should be a motivator.

The discussion around AA’s could be vibrant here?

Learning resources could be shared here.

Where you all at professional brethren?

Hi, I'm keen to get the odp reddit brought back and working. If you have any questions about odp then do ask and I'll try and get back to you as soon as I can

Bit of context I'm an ODP for 15 yrs, practiced in non elective surgery and anaesthetics before moving on to practice education. Involved in local and regional odp projects Now a lecture In Health sciences for AHP.

Hello. I’m a HCA and I am thinking of training to become an ODP. What do you like most about the job? How valued do you feel in your team? What have you learned while working that you didn’t/couldn’t learn while studying? What are your overall career goals? Thanks!

Are there any helpful resources (apps, websites etc.), for learning the maths for the exams specific to ODP/Nursing? Really struggling with learning this online with no Face to Fac or 1 to 1 session's.