Operating Department Practitioner (Student)

Saving the lives of the people who risk theirs. That’s what you’ll be doing when you qualify as an ODP in the Royal Navy. As soon as you’ve finished your fully-funded ODP Diploma, you’ll become an essential part of the surgical team, tackling all aspects of the operating theatre and developing skills that will stay with you for life. And you’ll work all over the world in some of the most challenging environments imaginable too. 

• Gain your qualifications and then use your expertise where it’s needed most – from treating trauma patients during a humanitarian crisis, to providing surgical treatment at an NHS hospital
• Provide crucial, lifesaving medical support in situations that can be demanding and sometimes dangerous
• Benefit from experience in a wide range of disciplines, including becoming qualified as a Sterile Services Manager and Surgical First Assistant
• Be part of a world-class medical service that’s respected far beyond the Armed Forces

• Earn at least £26,300  whilst at Basic Training
• A salary that rises from £42,500 as soon as you finish your degree. Pay is incremental and you go up an increment every 1-2 years within each rank, with a maximum number of increments per rank
• Promote on completion of Phase one training to Acting Leading Medical Technician. Promotion to Petty Officer and thereafter is based on merit
• Opportunity to commission once qualified for greater than 5 years as a Medical Services Officer ODP
• An excellent pension scheme
• Six weeks of paid holiday every year
• Free medical and dental care

Qualifications you'll gain

• An Operating Department Practitioner Diploma
• Specialist vocational qualifications as your career progresses

Skills you'll develop

• How to provide support for surgical teams and save lives in challenging environments
• Gain training and skills in leadership and management throughout your career

• Aged 17.5 to 39 (You can start your application from 15 years and 9 months old however you must be at least 17.5 years old on day of entry to basic training)  
• 112 UCAS points including Health and Social Care, Psychology, Social Science or Science subject at A-level or Level 3 equivalent
• 2 GCSEs grade 4 or above formally grade C, inc. Maths, English Language
• Evidence of academic study within the last 5 years
• 2 weeks of clinical experience
• Must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen, or a Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions apply
• A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)

• A technical thinker
• An aptitude for the clinical environment
• A team player
• An adventurous spirit
• Able to stay positive in the face of adversity