Essay Role of Odp Essay Example

Essay Role of Odp Essay Example Essay Role of Odp Paper Essay Role of Odp Paper The role of a qualified operating department practitioner is to provide high standards of peri-operative care to patients whilst also giving skilled support to surgeons, anaesthetists and/or theatre nurses. ODP’s need a broad knowledge and skill base that includes excellent communication skills, management skills and teamwork skills, as they are involved with the assessment, delivery and evaluation of peri-operative care. There are three phases to peri-operative care; the anaesthetic phase, the surgical phase and the recovery phase. Within each phase there is a different role for the ODP to undertake. In the anaesthetic phase ODP’s assist in the care of the patient prior to surgery ensuring the safety and comfort of the patient at all times. They also prepare the anaesthetic equipment and room and assist the anaesthetist throughout. In the surgical phase ODP’s work as part of the operative team in a few roles that include the â€Å"scrubbed† role, infection control, wound management and the application of the aseptic technique. In the process of the surgical phase ODP’s work in the â€Å"scrubbed† role preparing all the equipment and necessary instruments needed for the procedure, working with the surgeon to assist in the procedure providing all the correct instruments and materials. They must also ensure health and safety throughout the surgical procedure and to ensure that all instruments, equipment and swabsare are accountable. ODP’s prepare the theatre and the equipment whilst also acting as a link between the surgical team and other parts of the hospital. In the recovery phase ODP’s are involved in all aspects of patient care in the recovery unit, including monitoring, supporting them and providing treatment until the patient has recovered. ODP’s then assess the patient to evaluate whether they can return to the ward. They then must evaluate the care given during all the three stages of peri-operative care. (NHS careers, 2012). ODP’s tend to have a flexible, adaptable approach to the role and have a caring nature with good communication and teamwork skills as they tend to work with a variety of people like porters, ward nurses, healthcare support workers, theatre nurses, anaesthetists, surgeons, other ODP’s and patients from all walks of life. The role can have its challenges as you are dealing with patients who can become very stressed and/or emotional when coming to theatre and everyone is different so react differently, ODP’s need to be able to deal with all situations quickly and effectively in a caring and professional manner. In the role ODP’s can face other problems that are caused by language barriers and/or communication problems that they will need to overcome, plus more importantly, emergency situations can happen any time and ODP’s need to react quickly and professionally to ensure the safety of the patient and other’s around. The role can be emotionally and physically challenging but it does have its advantages; the role is very diverse throughout with support in all areas. It can involve a good progression up to team manager or theatre manager level with good rates of pay and professional development. As generally with any hospital role this involves shift patterns that can include early (8am-5/6pm), late (12 noon-9pm) and night shifts (9pm-8am), which are around 37. 5 hours a week. (Day in the life, 2012).