Check out our series whereby we ask lecturers ‘5 Questions in 5 Minutes’ to help students get to know our staff and put faces to names. Our next instalment is with Robert Hughes, Senior ODP Lecturer in Foundation Studies.
1. WHY STUDY OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTICE?
Operating department practice (ODP) is a rewarding profession – you learn and develop your expertise in a perioperative environment working alongside surgeons and anaesthetists. You can develop a rewarding career in training and education, clinical management or you can consider studying at postgraduate level for an advanced role.
2. HOW ARE STUDENTS TAUGHT?
The course features our excellent theatre simulation suite – you can get involved in scrub, recovery and anaesthetic practice using high fidelity mannequins and equipment. Academic tutors use current learning software to ensure your student experience is engaging, interesting and interactive.
3. WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
Seeing students fulfil their dreams, watching them grow and develop as professionals, and then meeting them in practice as qualified ODPs mentoring new students. I advise our students to find out as much as they can about where they want to go. And to prepare as effectively as possible on how to get there. Then make the most of the journey and enjoy it!
4. WHAT GOT YOU INTO YOUR FIELD?
After working as a volunteer in a special needs school, I found that caring for people was something I really enjoyed, did well and found rewarding. And I was encouraged to work in a health profession.
5. WHAT DO YOU LOVE OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Any Norman Wisdom film! I love trail running and hill walking in the North York Moors and the Lake District.
