Enhanced Skills Guidance
As part of the 3rd year of the BSc Operating Department Practice, the students are required to demonstrate competence in the specific areas
listed below. Students will receive theoretical and practical education in the university to prepare them to undertake these skills. They will be required
to complete a portfolio and as part of this process they will write a 500 word reflective account about each of these enhanced skills. As with all other
clinical skills, the mentor may gather evidence from other experienced registered practitioners that the student has performed the required skill
competently.
Additional explanation
Male catheterisation
This skill will be covered exclusively in the University
and students will not be permitted to undertake male
catheterisation in clinical practice.
Female catheterisation
This has always been part of the curriculum and will
continue to be so. As part of year 3 of the BSc all
students will now be required to complete this as a
distinct learning outcome. Students may undertake
female catheterisation in year 2.
2. Skin preparation and Skin Preparation
draping
This skill will be covered exclusively in the University.
Students will undergo specific education at university
regarding the implications of prepping and draping
relating to correct site surgery. They will be required
to explore this issue in their reflective account to
ensure they understand the implications of initiating
prepping and draping.
1. Male and female
urinary
catheterisation
Where taught
In University
How practised
In University
How assessed
In University
In University
In clinical practice
Signed off by
mentor
In University
In University
In University
In clinical practice
Signed off by
mentor
Draping
In University
This has always been part of the curriculum and will
continue to be so. As part of year 3 of the BSc all
students will now be required to complete this as a
distinct learning outcome.
It is acknowledged that it is not appropriate for
students to drape for every type of surgical procedure,
especially where draping is complex but they should
be able to undertake this skill for a range of
procedures.
3. Receives and
handles surgical
instruments (e.g
camera holding)
4. Use and
maintenance of
specialised surgical
equipment
5. Skin and tissue
retraction
6. Cutting sutures and
ties
Camera holding:
All students will complete this in the University and
they may not undertake this skill in clinical practice.
In University
Camera holding will
be practised in the
simulated
operating theatre
Camera holding will
be assessed in the
simulated
operating theatre
University
Signed off by
mentor
Examples of skills which the student may perform to
meet this competency:
 Applying an artery forcep to a sling or stay
suture
 Prepares and passes a mounted tie
Examples of skills which the student may perform to
meet this competency:
 Mixing of bone cement
 Preparing a camera system and insufflators
for use, including white balancing
 Preparing and adjusting a microscope for use
 Drape a microscope
 Assemble and check power tools
 Preparing a harmonic scalpel
 Preparation of haemostatic agents (Floseal™,
Tisseel™)
This is confined to the retraction of superficial tissue
using a retractor which has been placed by the
surgeon.
Students may not retract tissue in the peritoneal
cavity.
Students must not undertake this skill whilst
simultaneously acting as the scrub practitioner.
The student should demonstrate this on at least 5
occasions.
This is confined to the cutting of sutures and ties in
superficial tissues.
Students must not undertake this skill whilst
simultaneously acting as the scrub practitioner.
The student should demonstrate this on at least 5
occasions.
In University
In clinical practice
In University
In clinical practice
Signed off by
mentor
In University
In clinical practice
Signed off by
mentor
In University
In clinical practice
Signed off by
mentor
7. Use of suction and
assist with
haemostasis
8. Assistance with
wound closure and
application of
dressing
9. Intravenous
cannulation
This excludes suction to extremely delicate structures,
such as vascular anastomoses.
Haemostasis means indirect application of diathermy
under the explicit direction of the surgeon during
open surgery only.
They will be required to explore this issue in their
reflective account to ensure they understand the
potential dangers of indirect application of diathermy.
The student should demonstrate this on at least 5
occasions.
Assisting with wound closure is defined as “following”
a suture and applying Steristrips™, where it is not the
sole method of wound closure.
It is not suturing.
NHS GG&C
Students will demonstrate their achievement of this
skill by completing the Record of Achievement of
Competence in Intravenous Cannulation, which forms
part of the NHS GG&C process for preparing
practitioners to undertake this skill.
NHS Forth Valley
Students will demonstrate their achievement of this
skill by completing the NHS Forth Valley Competencies
in Intravenous Cannulation, which forms part of the
NHS Forth Valley process for preparing practitioners
to undertake this skill.
NHS Lanarkshire
Students will demonstrate their achievement of this
skill by completing the NHS Lanarkshire cannulation
competencies which forms part of the NHS
Lanarkshire process for preparing practitioners to
undertake this skill.
NHS Lothian
Students will demonstrate their achievement of this
skill by completing the NHS Lothian Peripheral IV
Cannulation (Adult) Initial Competency process which
forms part of the NHS Lothian process for preparing
practitioners to undertake this skill.
In University
In clinical practice
Signed off by
mentor
In University
In clinical practice
Signed off by
mentor
In University
In clinical practice
Signed off by
mentor
Golden Jubilee National Hospital
Students will demonstrate their achievement of this
skill by completing the GJNH Cannulation Competency and Record of Supervision process which
forms part of the GJNH process for preparing
practitioners to undertake this skill.
10.
Immediate Life Support
In University
In University
In University