The QEH ODP team is opening their doors to invite students to learn about their little-known profession in surgical theatres.
After the success of last year’s event, West Norfolk students will be able to have a go in a simulated laparoscopic operation as part of an open day to promote an career as an ODP, held on Monday 2nd March.
Operating Department Practitioners (ODP) enjoy a varied and important role in caring for patients inside and outside The Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s theatres but the profession is not widely known in the community.
QEH ODP, Mark Girdlestone, said: “The event has been designed to raise awareness of the profession and the role we play in a patient’s hospital journey. We hope the event will encourage students to consider it as a future career.
“The job is so wide and varied. We support the anesthetists; work in the role of a scrub practitioner with the surgeons and also care for the patient when they are in recovery. We also support patients who are taken by ambulance to tertiary centres such as Addenbrooke’s and we do some work in radiology.
“Every day is different and it is hugely rewarding – especially when you see a patient who was gravely ill walking out of hospital after you have helped them.”
Students can take part in one of the two sessions held in the hospital’s Simulation Suite, checking the airways of the simulation mannequins, looking at surgical instruments and speaking to ODPs. The students will also experience hands-on training within a laparoscopic simulator.
If you would like to learn more about becoming an ODP or to reserve a place at one of the two sessions, running from 9.30am and 1.00pm, please email andrea.james@qehkl.nhs.uk
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Pictured: QEH ODP’s and QEH theatre
To download the press release and photos, click here.
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