Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Theatres and Anaesthesia CSU. We are looking for someone who is passionate about delivering high quality, patient-centred care to patients throughout their perioperative journey. This is an apprenticeship where you will have the opportunity to earn while you learn throughout the duration of the programme. You will be employed in a three-year Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner role on a fixed term contract at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and undertake your academic studies at our Higher Education Institute Sheffield Hallam University.

Main duties of the job

The Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner course is a three-year education programme, working towards becoming a registered Operating Department Practitioner with a BSc Hons degree. The course combines work-based and academic learning between LTHT and the approved Higher Education Institute (HEI). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) you will be based, as a paid employee, within LTHT. Whilst you will be allocated to one specific area, you will experience working across internal placements to gain an appreciation of the different areas within our healthcare services. You will be required to achieve the standards as set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), HEI and the Institute of Apprenticeships and on completion of the three-year programme, to register as an Operating Department Practitioner. During the education programme you will develop skills and knowledge that will allow you to work within a dynamic and challenging healthcare environment.

About us

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to delivering the highest quality and safest treatment and care to every patient, every time. Our vision is to provide the highest quality specialist and integrated care. We will do this through delivery of our multi-year goals and strategic priorities, which you can read about on this page. Central to it all is The Leeds Way our values and behaviours that are at the heart of everything we do.

Details

• Date posted: 20 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 3
• Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year
• Contract: Fixed term
• Duration: 3 years
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 001587
• Job locations: Cross Site, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9DA, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

For questions about this job, contact:

Natasha Hiorns Practice Education Facilitator (ODP) Natasha.hiorns@nhs.net 0113039 23673 / 011320 66403 Shortlisting Date: 19/08/2026 Interview Date: 10/09/2026, 11/09/2026

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Theatres and Anaesthesia CSU. We are looking for someone who is passionate about delivering high quality, patient-centred care to patients throughout their perioperative journey. This is an apprenticeship where you will have the opportunity to ‘’earn while you learn’’ throughout the duration of the programme. You will be employed in a three-year Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner role on a fixed term contract at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and undertake your academic studies at our Higher Education Institute – Sheffield Hallam University.

The Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner course is a three-year education programme, working towards becoming a registered Operating Department Practitioner with a BSc Hons degree. The course combines work-based and academic learning between LTHT and the approved Higher Education Institute (HEI). As an Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) you will be based, as a paid employee, within LTHT. Whilst you will be allocated to one specific area, you will experience working across internal placements to gain an appreciation of the different areas within our healthcare services. You will be required to achieve the standards as set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), HEI and the Institute of Apprenticeships and on completion of the three-year programme, to register as an Operating Department Practitioner. During the education programme you will develop skills and knowledge that will allow you to work within a dynamic and challenging healthcare environment.

To be eligible to apply you must be able to evidence that you:

• Meet the criteria outlined within the personal specification.
• Are 18 years old or over.
• Are able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).
• Have lived in the UK for continuous 3-year period prior to start of the programme.
• Have a valid visa for the full length of the apprenticeship until September 2030.

Please note, this post is not eligible for Skilled Worker/Health & Care Visa sponsorship.

This advert may close early once enough suitable candidates have applied.

Why you should join our Team

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) is one of the largest and most prestigious teaching hospitals in Europe, renowned for its excellence in specialised services. With over 60 state-of-the-art operating theatres, LTHT delivers cutting-edge care across a wide range of clinical specialties. Our departments are proud to be diverse, innovative, and patient-focused, consistently striving for excellence in clinical outcomes and patient experience.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients. By bringing together the wide range of skills and expertise across West Yorkshire and Harrogate we are working differently, innovating and driving forward change to deliver the highest quality care. By working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust this is your opportunity to be a part of that change.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

What you will bring to the role

As part of the Apprenticeship, you will be required to:

• Deliver high quality, compassionate care under the direction of a Registered Nurse/ Operating Department Practitioner (or other registered care professional) with a focus on promoting patient health and independence.
• Successfully complete and pass the academic elements of the programme as specified by the Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust (LTHT), HEI and Institute of Apprenticeship standards. You will also be required to complete an apprentice portfolio that demonstrates learning and skills and complete an end point assessment.
• Successfully complete the Operating Department Practitioner competencies related to HCPC standards as specified by the Trust and the University.
• Have sound attitudes and behaviours compatible with NHS Values and LTHT values as set out in The Leeds Way.
• Work as part of a designated clinical care team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the patient.
• Work with a mentor, taking responsibility for developing your own competence while on placements and attending academic study; maintaining evidence of your learning.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures required as an employee of LTHT.
• Demonstrate a flexible and dynamic attitude, both to your paid work and academic studies.

Essential - Qualifications:

• GCSE English Language or English Literature and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English or equivalent.

If English is not your first language, you will also need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. Each application will be considered on an individual basis.

And, one of the following or equivalent:

• Evidence of successful formal study at Level 3 and a minimum of six months experience in a health and social care capacity. This can include any placements or work-based learning undertaken as part of a Level 3 qualification.
• 96 UCAS points from three A levels or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, OCR Nationals and T Levels
• Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course
• Level 3 Apprenticeship
• Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ’s) New or existing Level 4 or 5 qualifications such as HNDs, Foundation Degrees, Certificate HE or Diploma HE
• Previous degree

Essential - Experience:

• An understanding of health and social care
• Insight into the roles and responsibilities of the role

Essential - Skills and Behaviours:

• Caring, compassionate and positive attitude
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Good interpersonal skills, confident and enthusiastic
• Motivated and willingness to learn and develop

Essential - Other criteria:

• Able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Basic IT skills

Please see the attached job description for further information about this vacancy.

About Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust

Our Trust values

The Leeds Way is working together to support each other and deliver the best possible care to patients.

We are….

Responsible Open and Honest One Team Kind

Our Trust priorities

Our purpose: Excellent, safe and sustainable care for every patient every time

Our priorities:

People Improvement and Innovation Partnerships Outcomes

To comply with UK Government regulations on Skilled Worker sponsorship, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust is unable to provide sponsorship to applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or the salary threshold concessions set out under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please take this into consideration before submitting your application. Full guidance on these concessions, including details of who may qualify, can be found here.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.