Trainee Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) BSc Hons (Graduate Apprenticeship) in Operating Department Practice.
Band 5 Graduate Apprentice Operating Department Practitioner - Annex 21*
Contract Duration: Permanent
Hours: Full time (36.0 hours/week)
Salary Scale: £34,544 - £43,039 (Annex 21*)
NHS Fife are delighted to offer an exciting and innovative opportunity to undertake the Graduate Apprenticeship Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Operating Department Practice, which is being delivered in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland. Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are members of the multi-disciplinary team providing a high standard of perioperative care to patients. ODPs have an important role in the 3 phases of perioperative care, the anaesthetic phase, surgical phase and the post anaesthetic phase.
The three year programme commencing in September 2026 is a blend of online educational theory (20%) and clinical work based learning (80%). Throughout the programme you will progressively gain experience in a variety of perioperative environments across NHS Fife and be fully supported by clinical mentors. Successful completion of the programme provides eligibility to apply for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration as an ODP.
What you can bring?
It is essential that you are a caring individual who is self-motivated, with excellent communication skills. You must be committed to independent study and personal development and also be proficient in the use of digital technology, information systems and email. Experience of working to deadlines and the ability to prioritise.
Entry Criteria
SQA National Qualifications:
Passes in the Scottish National Qualifications in five subjects including three at higher level or passes in GCSE/GCE in four subjects including one at A Level.
For those applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements, applications may be considered on an individual basis from those who possess a minimum of one year’s relevant work experience and meet the previous DipHE entry criteria (passes in the Scottish National Qualifications in five subjects including two at higher level or equivalent SVQ,HNC, HND) where the applicant has demonstrated the development of key skills evidenced through a detailed CV and supporting personal statement.
English Language Requirements:
To meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, 2022) requirements for registration, all candidates must be able to communicate in English to the standard equivalent to Level 7 of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no element below 6.5.
Academic Programme Fees
Academic programme fees will be funded by the Scottish Funding Council for those that meet the SAAS Scottish requirements. This includes being normally resident in Scotland. This is paid directly to the university, but each trainee must apply for this individually each year. More details can be found at www.saas.gov.uk.
Please note if you are not eligible for SAAS funding you may still apply to the programme but will need to self-fund the academic programme fees.
You can email the University of West of Scotland at [email protected] if you would like more details on how much those fees would be.
You must be ready to commence employment with NHS Fife no later than week commencing Monday 07 September 2026.
Please note we anticipate a high level of interest in these positions and may close the vacancy early as a result of this, therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.
- Arrangements for pay and banding for trainees covered by Annex 21, paragraph 2(iii) of the NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions of service handbook.
Trainees Are Paid a Percentage of The Pay Band Maximum For The Qualified Rate Which Is Dependent On The Duration Of The Training Period. Where Periods Of Training Last For Between One And Four Years, Pay Will Be Adjusted As Follows
(i) up to 12 months prior to completion of training: 75 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate;
(ii) more than one but less than two years prior to completion of training: 70 per cent of the pay band maximum of the qualified rate;
(iii) more than two but less than three years prior to completion of training - 65 per cent of the pay band maximum for the qualified rate;
For an informal discussion or for more information please contact:
Leah Wood, 01592 729900 ext 28288 [email protected]
Colin Noble, 01592729900 ext 28023 [email protected]
A requirement of this post is to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme Prior to appointment.
NHS Fife is legally obliged to ensure all its employees are legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom. If you are not a United Kingdom (UK) or Irish National, you are required to confirm your right to work in your application.
We offer flexible working and family-friendly policies and fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.
To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service.
As part of the pre-employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa as well as EU settled and pre-settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, please refer to the GOV.UK websitehere.
For specific types of post, if you do not have the necessary eligibility to work in the UK, it might be possible (though not guaranteed) to secure sponsorship via a UK Skilled Worker/Health & Care Worker Visa. However, this is only possible if the employer is a licenced Sponsor, and if the post does not fall below the current minimum salary threshold or ‘going rate’. Further information on these criteria can be foundhere.
It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsoredBEFORE submitting your application form.
AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your applicationbut your answers must be your own.
Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.
Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand younot an AI tool.
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
