MEDICAL SERVICES Operating Department Practitioner CURRENTLY RECRUITING

As an RAF Operating Department Practitioner, you will be an integral member of the theatre team providing peri-operative patient care. Just like a civilian fulfilling the same role you will be responsible for the smooth running of the operating theatre and its specialised equipment. You will also be expected to be multi-functional as part of the anaesthetic, scrub and recovery teams.

Full-time regular Spare time reserve

Learn more about this role

Pay During First Six Months £16,800+ + Benefits

Pay Until Completion Of Phase Two Training* £21,400+ + Benefits

Please Note: This role is recruiting for a potential training year 23/24 intake.

Apply as a Regular


DAY RATE STARTS AT: Depends on rank, role and experience. + Benefits

Is this for you?

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 17 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
  • If unqualified: GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or SCE Standard Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in English Language, Maths and Science - See below for full details
  • If qualified: Hold a qualification recognised by the Health and Care Professions Council such as Diploma of Higher Education Operating Department Practice or BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice.
  • Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth
  • Commit to minimum 12 years service
  • Meet the health and fitness criteria
  • Pass a Fitness test - Details below

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Helping people
  • Analysis and maths
  • Travelling the world

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 18-54. Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday. Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis.
  • You must be fully registered with the HCPC of the United Kingdom and a practising Operating Department Practitioner
  • Must have completed a diploma or degree in Operating Department Practice
  • Must be professionally registered, clinically current and qualified as an Operating Department Practioner
  • Be a UK or Republic of Ireland citizen
  • Commit 27 days per year
  • Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment
  • Pass a General Fitness Test

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Helping people
  • Analysis and maths
  • Travelling the world

Locations

502 Sqn, Aldergrove Flying Station, Northen Ireland
600 Sqn, RAF Northolt, Middlesex
612 Sqn, Leuchars Station, Fife
4626 Sqn, RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire

VIEW ALL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Act as a multifunctional part of anaesthetic, scrub and recovery teams
  • Provide resuscitation and first surgical assistance
  • Reprocess instruments and other reusable medical devices in the Sterile Services Department

As an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) you will be an integral member of the theatre team providing peri-operative patient care. Just like a civilian fulfilling the same role you will be responsible for the smooth running of the operating theatre and its specialised equipment. You will also be expected to be multi-functional as part of the anaesthetic, scrub and recovery teams in all specialities.

As a military ODP you will be expected to undertake periods of stand-by for high readiness contingency teams that support UK military operations worldwide. You may find yourself living in austere conditions working from a tented operating theatre to being at sea on a vessel. Your additional skills will include working in A&E as part of a Trauma team and resuscitation. You can progress to become a Surgical First Assistant (SFA) and you will be trained in the operation and management of the Sterile Services Department, reprocessing instruments and other re-usable medical devices.

Unlike most people in the RAF, you will probably move jobs infrequently, remaining at either Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM), located in Birmingham or RCDM Oxford, RCDM Stoke and Joint Hospital Group South West (JHG(SW))

Unified Career Management (UCM) is a new approach to managing cadres of people where the capabilities they deliver are very similar across two or more of the single Services (sS). Personnel within UCM cohorts will benefit from new and bespoke career pathways which offer individuals the opportunity to progress a career within specialist cohorts. Serving personnel will transfer to UCM Medical Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) on 1 January 2024 under their current engagement/commission type and length of Service (LoS), those joining the sS on/after 1 January 2024 will automatically be aligned with UCM Terms of Service (TOS).

As an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) you will be an integral member of the theatre team providing peri-operative patient care. Just like a civilian fulfilling the same role you will be responsible for the smooth running of the operating theatre and its specialised equipment. You will also be expected to be multi-functional as part of the anaesthetic, scrub and recovery teams in all specialities. If deployed on operations in the UK or Overseas, you may find yourself living in austere conditions and from a tented operating theatre or even in a Maritime facility at sea.

You will join your nearest RAF Medical Reserve unit, located across the UK. Leuchars Station in Fife (612 Squadron), RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire (4626 Squadron), Flying Station Aldergrove in Northern Ireland (502 Squadron) or RAF Northolt in Middlesex (600 Squadron).

WHY JOIN THE RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

Salary
Benefits Salary
Civilian Role
RAF Role
  • Rent from £75p/m
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Health care
  • World travel
  • 6 weeks holiday

See All Benefits

WHY JOIN THE RESERVES?

The skills you acquire as a Reserve won’t just prepare you for the RAF, they will enhance your work and civilian life.

You might be called up to assist with our operations worldwide for up to six months, during which you may be able to claim a pay award to cover your and your employer’s costs.

  • Training
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Paid pension
  • Paid holiday

See All Benefits

TRAINING AND CAREER

TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE

Your career will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you’ll also learn about the RAF lifestyle.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

If you are joining with a professional qualification recognised by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) you will, following completion of Recruit Training, be posted into your first Unit. If you are joining with appropriate A levels/Higher grade or equivalent your specialist training will start with a 2-year Diploma in Higher Education in Operating Department Practice at the
Defence School of Health Education at the Birmingham City University. This 106-week course will incorporate both theory and practical placements at the university and local hospitals.

More Details +

FURTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

You can complete further modules through the Defence School of Health Education to gain your BSc (Hons) Defence Health Care Studies. 

ONGOING TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

There are many opportunities to develop and broaden your skills from Surgical First Assistant (SFA) to Advanced Life Support provider and instructor along with many military medical courses

YOUR FIRST TOUR

This will be at either the RCDM, in Birmingham, RCDM Oxford, RCDM Stoke or JHG(SW) in Plymouth.

YOUR FUTURE CAREER PROSPECTS/PROGRESSION

After completing one year’s total service and graduating from your training course you will be eligible for promotion to Senior Aircraftman Technician. Qualified entrants are promoted to Senior
Aircraft Technician backdated to their second day in service. Further promotion to the rank of Corporal and Sergeant is on a time promotion basis.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

If in the future you wish to leave the Service your experience, further clinical training and managerial dexterity will make you highly competitive within the civilian job market.

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

Your training will commence with the Reserve Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC(R) Part 1, lasting 8 days and delivered locally at your Squadron. BRTC(R) Part 2 is conducted at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, a 2-week residential course that should be completed within your first year in the RAF Reserves. BRTC is designed to prepare you for Service life and teaches basic military skills such as weapon handling and fieldcraft.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

Reserve ODPs will receive induction training at their Squadron and undertake a number of learning modules to bridge the gap between civilian and military practice.

Commitment and location

You will have to commit to 27 days per year.


Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Be aged between 17 and 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday).

*Until at least you have completed one year of service and successfully completed Professional Workplace Assessments on first posting.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Be aged 18-54 (and meet all specialist/professional pre-requisites listed below)
Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday. Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have these minimum grades:

  GCSE GCSE SNE 5
English Language C Grade 4 Grade C
Maths C Grade 4 Grade C
Science C Grade 4 Grade C

Level 2 Qualifications which must be achieved prior to application: GCSE at Grade C or above (Grade 4 to 5) in English Language, Mathematics and Science. Passes in the following qualifications are also acceptable: Scottish National 5 (grades A-C) Standard in English, Mathematics and Science.

A minimum of 88 UCAS points is required. For criteria of eligible Level 3 qualifications please refer to the Birmingham City University website at http://www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/operating-department-practice#tab-2

If already qualified: You must hold a qualification recognised by the Health and Care Professions Council such as Diploma of Higher Education Operating Department Practice or BSc (Hons) Operating Department Practice.

You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.

RAF requirement – GCSE equivalents not accepted, e.g., Key Skills Level 2, Adult Numeracy, Adult Literacy.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:

  • 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

The second fitness test will take place at RAF Halton on day one of your initial training. This consists of the following:

  • Achieving the required score on the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 9.03 20 35
17-29 11.11 9.10 20 35
30-34 11.36 9.04 19 32
35-39 12 8.09 18 29
40-44 12.26 8.03 17 26
45-47 12.54 7.07 16 23

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 6.07 10 32
17-29 13.23 7.02 10 32
30-34 13.47 6.08 9 29
35-39 14.13 6.04 8 26
40-44 14.48 5.08 7 23
45-47 15.19 5.04 6 20

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRFV Protocols

You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:

RAF MSFT: Intro

RAF MSFT: Bleep Test

You can see a video demonstration of the PRFV Fitness Test here:

RAF PRFV Fitness Test

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
16 to < 18 17 27 27 27
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. 
    Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy:

A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

You must be fully registered with the HCPC of the United Kingdom and a practising Operating Department Practitioner.

Must have completed a diploma or degree in Operating Department Practice.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through a Pre-joining Fitness Test. 
How fit you need to be to pass this test can vary depending on role, age and gender.

MALES - 100% pass rates:

AGE

2.4 Km Run

Multi-Stage Fitness Test

Press-ups

Sit-ups

 

(Mins)

(Score)

(No.)

(No.)

15-16

11.39

9.03

20

35

17-29

11.11

9.1

20

35

30-34

11.36

9.04

19

32

35-39

12

8.09

18

29

40-44

12.26

8.03

17

26

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:

AGE

2.4 Km Run

Multi-Stage Fitness Test

Press-ups

Sit-ups

 

(Mins)

(Score)

(No.)

(No.)

15-16

13.54

6.07

10

32

17-29

13.23

7.02

10

32

30-34

13.47

6.08

9

29

35-39

14.13

6.04

8

26

40-44

14.48

5.08

7

23

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
16 to < 18 17 27 27 27
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. 
    Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Regular

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Register Interest