Operating Department Practitioner - Reserve

Royal Army Medical Service

At a glance

  • Soldier
  • medical

Learn vital medical skills with first-class Army training that is fully funded by us. You will be able to apply the skills you learn in operating theatres worldwide.

I work in all three specialities - anaesthetics, surgical and recovery.

When it comes to surgery, Operating Department Practitioners are crucial. They prepare operating theatres and work alongside surgeons and anaesthetists during procedures. In this role you can be posted all over the world and help patients with all kinds of injuries and illnesses. In short you’re a key member of the medical team, helping to save lives.

Royal Army Medical Service

The Royal Army Medical Service (RAMS) is responsible for maintaining the health of servicemen and women. The Corps is represented wherever the British Army is deployed, providing medical support to operations, exercises and Adventurous Training expeditions all over the world.

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Key Responsibilities

  • Prepare operating theatres before surgery

  • Assist military surgeons and anaesthetists during surgery

  • Help with post operative patient care

  • Get a UK-recognised Higher Education Diploma in Operating Department Practice

  • Be involved in all aspects of care during the immediate pre-surgical and anaesthetic phase through to recovery

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Reserve (part time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 18 years & 0 months to 49 years & 11 months

  • Qualifications:

    You must hold professional qualification in Operating Department Practice and be registered with the UK Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) in order to practice.

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m

    • MSFT (beep test) level 5.8

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

Step 1
Having successfully completed the Army Officer Selection process and Army Physiotherapist interview; you will be awarded a place on the Commissioning Course Short at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. You are taught basic military, survival and weapon handling skills alongside other professionally-qualified officers. The training is designed to prepare you for military life. On completion of the course you will be awarded a commission into the Royal Army Medical Service.

Step 2
You will then attend the Royal Army Medical Service Entry Officers' Course, which provides you with the specific knowledge required to begin your career.

Qualifications you could get after training

On successful entry into the Army Medical Services Reserve you will be eligible to apply for consideration in CPD for Professional Qualifications commensurate to Role within with the Army Medical Services.

Pay & benefits

You’ll be paid on a daily rate commensurate to your qualifications This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty.

More about Reserve benefits

How to Apply

Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre, you’ll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.

More about the joining process