Having previously worked as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) with East Sussex Healthcare Trust (ESHT), I have extensive and significant experience at a senior level in practice. I continue to cover clinical shifts for ESHT with the temporary workforce service to maintain my clinical skills and support students in the workplace. Within my role as an ODP, I cover anaesthetics for all specialities, including calls for obstetrics, resus, and accident and emergency. As lead clinical practice educator, I organised and delivered clinical supervision and audit sessions for the full range of staff within theatres using a combination of theory, problem-based learning and practical workshops. I coordinated placements and provided inductions for all ODP, Paramedic, Nurse, and Midwifery students in Theatres. I worked to ensure that students receive a suitable mentoring team to provide them with the learning experiences required for their individual needs.
I have recently completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) with CCCU and am awaiting the results to apply for Fellow status with Advance HE. The PGCAP has been an informative course and provided me with a deeper understanding of pedagogy and educational theory, as well as the practical skills required to excel as a lecturer. Completing all three modules has helped me to understand the various methods available for lecturers to deliver effective education to adult learners. The small-scale pedagogical inquiry module allowed me to explore active research in practice. I organised an on-campus study day for the distance learners to attend alongside the Kent and Medway cohort, and evaluated their experience in terms of community enhancement. I am now intending to instigate research in to two further areas; developing a framework to improve active feedback for learners in clinical practice and qualitative research into the impact of reduced supervision for final year apprentice learners. As a firm believer in lifelong learning, I completed a Business BSc (Hons) at the University of Brighton in 2018, achieving a First-class honours degree whilst working full-time as an ODP in a senior role. I started the degree pathway independently to further my education and develop my leadership and management skills.
The ODP Team collaborated with Health Education England (HEE) to design and implement a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on "Introduction to Operating Department Practice". The course is available at www.ahpcourses.co.uk/courses/odp and is accessible to all. It is used by CCCU and other higher education institutions to promote and generate interest into the role of an ODP where work experience access is limited.