What qualifications do I need to become an NHS ODP?

You need an HCPC-approved qualification in Operating Department Practice, such as a BSc, DipHE, or approved degree apprenticeship, followed by HCPC registration. Programmes include substantial clinical placements in anaesthetics, surgery, and recovery. Career changers with relevant healthcare experience can apply through standard university routes or look for apprentice ODP posts advertised by trusts and education providers.

How much do NHS ODPs earn?

Under the 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay scales, Band 5 ODPs earn approximately £32,000 to £39,000, Band 6 senior or specialist ODPs earn £40,000 to £48,000, and Band 7 team leads or advanced practitioners earn £49,000 to £57,000. Theatre rotas often include weekends, evenings, and on-call shifts, which attract unsocial hours pay enhancements on top of the basic salary.

What is the difference between an ODP and a theatre nurse?

ODPs and theatre nurses (scrub nurses, anaesthetic nurses) do overlapping clinical work in operating theatres. The key difference is training and registration: ODPs train specifically for perioperative practice and register with the HCPC, while theatre nurses hold a nursing degree and NMC registration. In practice, both work as scrub practitioners and in anaesthetics. Some trusts prefer ODPs for anaesthetic room work because their training focuses heavily on this phase.

What does on-call work look like for ODPs?

Most acute trusts run an emergency theatre on-call rota covering evenings, nights, and weekends. On-call ODPs respond to emergency cases including trauma, obstetric emergencies, and urgent surgical cases. You are typically at home on call and come in when contacted, though some trusts use resident on-call. On-call frequency varies by trust size and team, but one in four to one in eight is common. On-call hours are paid at enhanced rates.

What career progression is available for ODPs?

Band 5 ODPs can progress to Band 6 senior practitioner or specialist roles (cardiac, neuro, paediatric theatres). Band 7 roles include theatre team leader, advanced practitioner (e.g. anaesthetic practitioner or surgical first assistant), or education lead. Some ODPs also move into intensive care, emergency departments, or pain management teams. Advanced practice roles may involve independent clinical decision-making under consultant supervision.

Can ODPs work outside operating theatres?

Yes. ODPs increasingly work in emergency departments (airway management and procedural sedation), intensive care units, endoscopy suites, cardiac catheterisation labs, and radiology (interventional procedures under sedation). The core skill set of airway management, monitoring, and drug administration transfers well to these settings. Some trusts also employ ODPs in pre-assessment clinics and pain services.

Operating Department Practitioner Jobs in the NHS

Operating department practitioners (ODPs) work across the three phases of perioperative care: anaesthetics, surgery, and recovery. They are one of the smaller allied health professions, but demand is consistent because every operating theatre list requires ODP or anaesthetic nurse cover. Posts start at Band 5, with advanced practitioner and team lead roles at Band 6-7. ODPs are HCPC-registered and work in acute hospital theatres, day surgery units, emergency departments, and intensive care.

31 live vacancies across 20 NHS employers · updated hourly

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£32k - £48k

Salary Range

NHS Trusts

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Latest live Operating Department Practitioner jobs

Recent operating department practitioner vacancies from this role hub, with employer, location, and closing-date context.

Planning an Operating Department Practitioner job search in the NHS

Job Clerk tracks live operating department practitioner vacancies across NHS employers so you can compare role level, employer mix, location, salary, contract type, and closing date before deciding where to spend time on an application.

There are currently 31 live operating department practitioner roles across 20 NHS employers in this index. Use the band and city links below to move from the broad profession market into pages with tighter salary, seniority, and local employer context.

Recent salary data for operating department practitioner roles ranges from about £32,073 to £48,117 per year, depending on band, employer, rota pattern, and high-cost area supplements.

Evidence to prepare

Preparing the anaesthetic room: checking equipment, drawing up drugs, and assisting induction
Scrub practitioner role: instrument management, swab counts, and surgical assistance
Recovery: monitoring patients from anaesthetic reversal through to ward discharge criteria
Emergency theatre response including major trauma and obstetric emergencies

Common requirements

BSc or DipHE in Operating Department Practice and active HCPC registration
Post-qualification experience in all three phases of perioperative care
Life support certification (ILS or ALS depending on role)
Specialist skills for advanced roles (e.g. airway management, regional anaesthesia assistance)

Employer mix

Recent listings include employers such as Ramsay Health Care UK Operations Limited, Nuffield Health, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. Check each source advert for person-spec wording and early-close warnings.

Where Operating Department Practitioner Jobs Are Hiring Right Now

Exeter, South West2 jobs

Canterbury, South East1 jobs

Carshalton, London1 jobs

Colchester, East1 jobs

East Grinstead, South East1 jobs

Epsom, South East1 jobs

Guildford, South East1 jobs

London, London1 jobs

Paisley, Scotland1 jobs

Pontefract, Yorkshire & Humberside1 jobs

Scarborough, Yorkshire & Humberside1 jobs

Stanmore, London1 jobs

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