GR - Trainee Operating Department (Theatre) Practitioners (ODPs)

NHS Lothian - Trainee Perioperative Practitioner (ODP) – BSc Hons (Graduate Apprenticeship) in Operating Department Practice.

Our Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan sets out our Vision, Ambitions and Values that enable excellent care as well as what you can expect from our organisation and what you can aspire to in your own career development. A collaborative, person focused approach is at the very centre of everything we aspire to achieve, and necessary to deliver care that is high quality, compassionate, safe and effective. We continue to work towards having a diverse and inclusive culture for people who work for us and use our services. We want everyone to realise their full potential and make a positive contribution. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and communities. We are committed to supporting the development of a nursing and midwifery workforce that is made up of diverse skills and experiences. We are committed to providing the strong foundations of clinical education with our Clinical Education and Training team, our education co-ordinators, robust induction programmes and preceptorship as well as working with you to build on your leadership strengths.

Recruitment process – We use a values and competency based recruitment process that is linked to the ambitions set our in our Strategic Plan. Click the link below for more information on our interview questions:

How to Apply – NHS Lothian Careers

Trainee Perioperative Practitioner (ODP) –

BSc Hons (Graduate Apprenticeship) in Operating Department Practice.

Band 5 Graduate Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner - Annex 21*

Contract Duration: Permanent

Hours: Full time (36.0 hours/week)

Salary Scale: £34,544 - £43,039 – (Annex 21*)

Location: Pan- Lothian (various sites)

NHS Lothian are delighted to offer an exciting and innovative opportunity to undertake the Graduate Apprenticeship Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Operating Department Practice, which is being delivered in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland. Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are members of the multi-disciplinary team providing a high standard of perioperative care to patients. ODPs have an important role in the 3 phases of perioperative care, the anaesthetic phase, surgical phase and the post anaesthetic phase.

The three year programme commencing in September 2026 is a blend of online educational theory (20%) and clinical work based learning (80%). Throughout the programme you will progressively gain experience in a variety of perioperative environments across NHS Lothian and be fully supported by clinical mentors. Successful completion of the programme provides eligibility to apply for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration as an ODP.

What you can bring?

It is essential that you are a caring individual who is self-motivated, with excellent communication skills. You must be committed to independent study and personal development and also be proficient in the use of digital technology, information systems and email. Experience of working to deadlines and the ability to prioritise.

Entry Criteria

SQA National Qualifications:

Passes in the Scottish National Qualifications in five subjects including three at higher level or passes in GCSE/GCE in four subjects including one at A Level.

For those applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements, applications may be considered on an individual basis from those who possess a minimum of one year’s relevant work experience and meet the previous DipHE entry criteria (passes in the Scottish National Qualifications in five subjects including two at higher level or equivalent SVQ,HNC, HND) where the applicant has demonstrated the development of key skills evidenced through a detailed CV and supporting personal statement.

English Language Requirements:

To meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, 2022) requirements for registration, all candidates must be able to communicate in English to the standard equivalent to Level 7 of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no element below 6.5.

Academic Programme Fees

Academic programme fees will be funded by the Scottish Funding Council for those that meet the SAAS Scottish requirements, this includes being normally resident in Scotland. This is paid directly to the university by SAAS, but each trainee must apply for this individually each year. More details can be found at www.saas.gov.uk

Please note if you are not eligible for SAAS funding you may still apply to the programme but will need to self-fund the academic programme fees. You can email the University of West of Scotland at GABScODP@uws.ac.uk if you would like more details on how much those fees would be.

You must be ready to commence employment with NHS Lothian no later than week commencing Monday 07 September 2026.

Teams video interviews will take place on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd June. We are unable to offer any other interview dates.

If successful on interview all original identification and academic documents must be presented at NHS Lothian within 10 working days.

Please note we anticipate a high level of interest in these positions and may close the vacancy early as a result of this, therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

* Arrangements for pay and banding for trainees covered by Annex 21, paragraph 2(iii) of the NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions of service handbook.

Trainees Are Paid a Percentage of The Pay Band Maximum For The Qualified Rate Which Is Dependent On The Duration Of The Training Period. Where Periods Of Training Last For Between One And Four Years, Pay Will Be Adjusted As Follows: (i) up to 12 months prior to completion of training: 75 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate; (ii) more than one but less than two years prior to completion of training: 70 per cent of the pay band maximum of the qualified rate; (iii) more than two but less than three years prior to completion of training - 65 per cent of the pay band maximum for the qualified rate

For an informal discussion or for more information please contact:Paul Butler, Paul.Butler@nhs.scot

Cath Green, Catherine.Green@nhs.scot

A link to the NHS Lothian Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan can be found via the link below:

https://services.nhslothian.scot/nursingandmidwifery/strategic-plan-2023-2028/

Find out what our staff say about working in NHS Lothian at:

https://careers.nhslothian.scot/acute-specialist-nurses/who-we-are/

**Please note we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage**

Please also note that due to a high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback on applications.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool

As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

NHS Lothian - Trainee Perioperative Practitioner (ODP) – BSc Hons (Graduate Apprenticeship) in Operating Department Practice.

Our Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan sets out our Vision, Ambitions and Values that enable excellent care as well as what you can expect from our organisation and what you can aspire to in your own career development. A collaborative, person focused approach is at the very centre of everything we aspire to achieve, and necessary to deliver care that is high quality, compassionate, safe and effective. We continue to work towards having a diverse and inclusive culture for people who work for us and use our services. We want everyone to realise their full potential and make a positive contribution. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and communities. We are committed to supporting the development of a nursing and midwifery workforce that is made up of diverse skills and experiences. We are committed to providing the strong foundations of clinical education with our Clinical Education and Training team, our education co-ordinators, robust induction programmes and preceptorship as well as working with you to build on your leadership strengths.

Recruitment process – We use a values and competency based recruitment process that is linked to the ambitions set our in our Strategic Plan. Click the link below for more information on our interview questions:

How to Apply – NHS Lothian Careers

Trainee Perioperative Practitioner (ODP) –

BSc Hons (Graduate Apprenticeship) in Operating Department Practice.

Band 5 Graduate Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner - Annex 21*

Contract Duration: Permanent

Hours: Full time (36.0 hours/week)

Salary Scale: £34,544 - £43,039 – (Annex 21*)

Location: Pan- Lothian (various sites)

NHS Lothian are delighted to offer an exciting and innovative opportunity to undertake the Graduate Apprenticeship Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Operating Department Practice, which is being delivered in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland. Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are members of the multi-disciplinary team providing a high standard of perioperative care to patients. ODPs have an important role in the 3 phases of perioperative care, the anaesthetic phase, surgical phase and the post anaesthetic phase.

The three year programme commencing in September 2026 is a blend of online educational theory (20%) and clinical work based learning (80%). Throughout the programme you will progressively gain experience in a variety of perioperative environments across NHS Lothian and be fully supported by clinical mentors. Successful completion of the programme provides eligibility to apply for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration as an ODP.

What you can bring?

It is essential that you are a caring individual who is self-motivated, with excellent communication skills. You must be committed to independent study and personal development and also be proficient in the use of digital technology, information systems and email. Experience of working to deadlines and the ability to prioritise.

Entry Criteria

SQA National Qualifications:

Passes in the Scottish National Qualifications in five subjects including three at higher level or passes in GCSE/GCE in four subjects including one at A Level.

For those applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements, applications may be considered on an individual basis from those who possess a minimum of one year’s relevant work experience and meet the previous DipHE entry criteria (passes in the Scottish National Qualifications in five subjects including two at higher level or equivalent SVQ,HNC, HND) where the applicant has demonstrated the development of key skills evidenced through a detailed CV and supporting personal statement.

English Language Requirements:

To meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, 2022) requirements for registration, all candidates must be able to communicate in English to the standard equivalent to Level 7 of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no element below 6.5.

Academic Programme Fees

Academic programme fees will be funded by the Scottish Funding Council for those that meet the SAAS Scottish requirements, this includes being normally resident in Scotland. This is paid directly to the university by SAAS, but each trainee must apply for this individually each year. More details can be found at www.saas.gov.uk

Please note if you are not eligible for SAAS funding you may still apply to the programme but will need to self-fund the academic programme fees. You can email the University of West of Scotland at GABScODP@uws.ac.uk if you would like more details on how much those fees would be.

You must be ready to commence employment with NHS Lothian no later than week commencing Monday 07 September 2026.

Teams video interviews will take place on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd June. We are unable to offer any other interview dates.

If successful on interview all original identification and academic documents must be presented at NHS Lothian within 10 working days.

Please note we anticipate a high level of interest in these positions and may close the vacancy early as a result of this, therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

* Arrangements for pay and banding for trainees covered by Annex 21, paragraph 2(iii) of the NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions of service handbook.

Trainees Are Paid a Percentage of The Pay Band Maximum For The Qualified Rate Which Is Dependent On The Duration Of The Training Period. Where Periods Of Training Last For Between One And Four Years, Pay Will Be Adjusted As Follows: (i) up to 12 months prior to completion of training: 75 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate; (ii) more than one but less than two years prior to completion of training: 70 per cent of the pay band maximum of the qualified rate; (iii) more than two but less than three years prior to completion of training - 65 per cent of the pay band maximum for the qualified rate

For an informal discussion or for more information please contact:Paul Butler, Paul.Butler@nhs.scot

Cath Green, Catherine.Green@nhs.scot

A link to the NHS Lothian Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan can be found via the link below:

https://services.nhslothian.scot/nursingandmidwifery/strategic-plan-2023-2028/

Find out what our staff say about working in NHS Lothian at:

https://careers.nhslothian.scot/acute-specialist-nurses/who-we-are/

**Please note we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage**

Please also note that due to a high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback on applications.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool

As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.