University of Huddersfield
Diploma in Professional Studies: Perioperative Practice
When education programmes for Operating Department Practitioners was an NVQ award (Level 3
Operating Department Practice), nurses were able to undertake this qualification on a “fast-track”
basis, which involved completing the course, usually in a shortened timescale, through recognition of
the knowledge and skills gained in pre-registration nurse education and through subsequent postregistration experience.
When the pre-registration qualification for ODPs moved to a Diploma in Higher Education in 2001, the
opportunity to “fast-track” appeared to have been removed. However, this course, the DPS
Perioperative Practice, aims to fill the void and will provide nurses working within the perioperative
environment the opportunity to attain an award that is based upon the current pre-registration ODP
Curriculum. [It is, however, important to note that this course will not provide eligibility for registration
as an ODP, due to the criteria placed upon registration by the Health Professions Council].
The course can be accessed full-time or part-time. Students will be expected to function in a
supernumerary supervised role when working towards the practical elements of the course and
provide evidence of appropriate hours of practice per module; opportunities for this will dictate the
duration of study.
The course consists of six 20 credit compulsory modules. University theoretical modules represent
200 hours of learning per 20 credits; 48 hours of attendance and 152 hours for directed and
unsupervised study. Practice modules represent 420 hours (placement 1) + 450 hours (placement 2).
Intermediate level
HIO1030
HIO1021
HIO1022
HIO1023
HIO1024
HIO1025
Modules
Bridging nursing to perioperative practice
Perioperative practice and introduction to post-anaesthetic care
Intermediate level perioperative practice (1)
Enhancing perioperative practice
Enhancing perioperative care
Intermediate level perioperative practice (2)
Credit
20
20
20
20
20
20
Clinical practice is central to the curriculum and extends throughout the programme. Students
undertake practice placements in order to develop skills as a perioperative practitioner. Students will
be required to carry out their clinical experience in an area other than their usual place of employment.
Structure – Full-time
When studied full-time the course consists of 42 weeks if all assessments are passed at the first
attempt.
Following a week’s induction to the University the course begins with a 2-week study block where the
students will undertake the Bridging module which aims to ensure a foundation of knowledge and
understanding, building on nursing prior experience and learning. A 14-week placement follows this,
with the students attending the University once a week for the first 8 weeks on a “day release”
principle for the “Perioperative Practice and introduction to PACU” module; this will be shared/interprofessional learning with the DipHE Operating Department Practice students. During the placement,
learning and assessment takes place in the clinical environment, with the students demonstrating their
ability to transfer previous skills and knowledge not only into a new surgical specialty, but also into the
post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU). An annual holiday occurs within this placement and a reading
week is coupled with this to allow the students to evaluate their progress; during this reading week the
students may also undertake aspects of theoretical assessment. A reading week follows this
placement prior to the next study block of 2 weeks.
During this 2-week block the students are introduced to complicated and major interventions, how
practice should be modified in response to individual patient needs, in response to changes in the
clinical environment, and what is required in the effective co-ordination of the perioperative team and
resources. It is expected that during the delivery of this content the students will have the opportunity
to interact with healthcare users/patients in order to further develop the students’ understanding of the
patient experience and the need to promote individualised care. A reading week follows this block.
The modules are then further explored during the day release that the students attend at the
University for the first 8 weeks of the next placement. The block and day release for these modules
also involves shared/inter-professional learning with the DipHE Operating Department Practice
students. Within this 15-week placement the students are required to demonstrate they are able to
function as an autonomous practitioner (under supervision), and in doing so ensure the safe and
efficient running of operating lists. Annual holidays and reading weeks are identified within the
placement to provide the students with the opportunity and time to evaluate and reflect on their
progress. If all assessments have been successfully achieved, the course ends at this point.
Structure - Part-time
When studied part-time the student negotiates their programme of learning with their personal tutor at
the start of each year, ensuring they are not registering for tuition in more than 80 credits per year.
The modules will be delivered for two intakes, September and March (excluding March 2008), which
will enable part-time students to be flexible in their attendance over an extended period of study. For
example, a student could undertake one theory module per intake over a 2-year period, whilst
providing evidence of supervised practice in achieving each practice module. The maximum period of
time over which credits can be accumulated towards this award is five years, in accordance with
University regulations.
Distance Learning
Due to University constraints which require a minimum number of students to be enrolled for a
traditional module to run, the course was designed to include the modules from the second year of the
DipHE ODP course; this will ensure adequate student numbers as both DPS and DipHE students can
study alongside each other, also promoting multidisciplinary and inter-professional learning.
However, the Bridging module is a stand-alone requirement of the DPS and the module may not be
able to run if there is insufficient uptake. For this reason, it is intended to review the module delivery
method and provide it using a blended strategy incorporating both traditional and electronic resources
that will promote distance learning. This mode of delivery will not, however, be available until mid2008, which may mean that the DPS will not be available until then if there are insufficient numbers of
applicants for September 2007.
Criteria for Admission
Applicants for this course will be expected to:
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hold current registration with the NMC in the appropriate section of the register.
be employed in a NHS or Independent sector hospital that has an appropriate range of
available clinical experiences and the support networks necessary for teaching and
assessment in practice.
have management support for undertaking the course
Further Details
Steven Brown –Admissions Tutor 01484 473284 – odpadmissions@hud.ac.uk
ODP Secretary - 01484 473530 - odpsec@hud.ac.uk