 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.

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.

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.

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.

Earn £26,334 during training. When your training is finished, and you join your unit you'll earn £36,637.

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.

All applicants must attend the specialist Army Operating Department Practitioner insight event

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.

BSc (Hons) in Operating Department Practice.

We train our own too. You will complete a 3-year degree programme that will give you a professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You will be well supported by military and civilian University staff at the Defence School of Healthcare Education within Birmingham City University and will then be employed as a ODP by the Army. After successful completion of your ODP training and following completion of the ALDP career course, you will be awarded the rank of Lance Corporal. You will be allocated a mentor at your first unit to take you through your 12 month preceptorship, enabling you to rotate around the various clinical theatres to consolidate your ODP 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.

Assisting surgeons in the operating theatre.

Operating Department Practitioner | Army Jobs

As a reserve you will be assisting surgeons in the operating theatre.

Reserve Operating Department Practitioner | Army Jobs

“As an Operating Department Practitioner, I work in all three specialities – anaesthetics, surgical and recovery – helping the anaesthetists and surgeons to perform operations on patients. It’s considered a speciality in the Royal Army Medical Corps. We can be posted to Field Hospitals, 16 Medical Regiment and Ministry of Defence Hospital Units. On deployments, our airway management skills are critical. We start with the patient in the Emergency Department, following them through to theatre where we perform life-saving damage control surgery to ensure they are stable enough for onward movement. We have a good rapport with surgeons and anaesthetists.” – Cpl Louis

Operating Department Practitioner

 teaches you how to be a soldier. This covers everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle. This course takes place at either Pirbright in Surrey or Winchester, Hampshire.

You will complete a two- year Diploma of Higher Education within Operating Department practice that will give you professional registration with the Health and Care professions Council (HCPC). You will be allocated a mentor at your first unit to support you through your first 12 months as a healthcare professional.

 If you are already a qualified ODP, you will progress from initial training to holding the rank of Lance Corporal. You will need to go on a short course to consolidate your professional training within a military environment.

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.

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

Operating Department Practitioner - Reserve

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