Job Advert
West of Scotland Graduate Apprentice ODP Programme 2026.
NHS Forth Valley 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 3 year programme commencing in September 2026 is a blend of online educational theory and clinical work based learning. Throughout the programme you will progressively gain experience in a variety of perioperative environments across NHS Forth Valley 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.
You must be ready to commence employment with NHS Forth Valley in September 2026
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.
Hours: Full time (Agenda for change)
Entry qualifications:
5 passes in Scottish National Qualifications, including 3 at Higher Level C or above. Applicants with equivalent/non-standard qualifications (including Foundation Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships, SVQs/ NVQs, HNC, HND and access programme will also be considered.
For those applicants who do not meet our Standard Entry Requirements, applications may be considered on an individual basis from those who possess a minimum of one years’ 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).
English Language Requirements: To meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, 2022) requirements for accreditation, 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 Course Fees
You must qualify for funding from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). This is paid directly to the university, but each student must apply individually.
Salary
Apprenticeships covered by Annex 21 where the period of training lasts for between one and three years, pay will be as follows:
up to 12 months prior to completion of training - 75 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate;
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 of the qualified;
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:
West of Scotland Regional Lead, Sharon Brown
sharon.brown9@nhs.scot 07866012268
UWS Contact – GABScODP@uws.ac.uk
NHS Forth Valley Contact –
Sheila Kellett, SCN Theatre Dept, sheila.kellett@nhs.scot 01324 566086
This post will also be considered as in training position under Annex 21 of the Agenda for Change terms & conditions. For more information, please visit the following link: 18623.pdf (nhsemployers.org). Specifically, section 2(iii) and section 3 in relation to this vacancy.
The duties of this post require the successful candidate to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. More information on this scheme can be found at www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa routes. NHS Forth Valley may be able to offer sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. If you are currently working in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, transitional arrangements may apply. Please note that sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks. For further information on visa requirements and sponsorship eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance.
It is also recommend that anyone applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad read the following guidance: Applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.
Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail, therefore please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders) and your Jobtrain account for updates.
NHS Forth Valley is positive about disabled people and is committed to offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. Please contact the Recruitment Office on 0330 041 4694 if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to assist you with your application and/or interview.
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.