This guide shows you how to build an entry-level Operating Department Practitioner CV with relevant experience so you can apply confidently for NHS theatre roles. You will find clear section examples, adaptable bullet points, and practical formatting tips to pass CV screening and secure interviews.
Building a Surgical Technologist resume?
Skip the blank page. Start with a template built for this role, then tailor it for each job you apply to.
Tip: use the template as a starting point, then swap in your own numbers and project names.
What to include on an entry-level Operating Department Practitioner CV
Start with a concise header that lists your name, contact number, email, and city of residence. In the UK, you may include a LinkedIn profile, but avoid personal details such as date of birth.
Add a professional summary or objective that highlights your HCPC registration status (or eligibility) and clinical exposure in two to three lines.
Include a dedicated skills section that combines technical theatre skills and soft skills. Add education and qualifications, clinical placements or trainee rotations, and any paid or voluntary theatre experience with concrete duties and outcomes.
If you are applying to NHS roles, mention your right-to-work in the UK and your current National Insurance (NI) status when asked. Reference NHS pay band alignment where appropriate, typically Band 5 for an entry-level ODP.
CV sections with examples
Professional summary example, two to three lines: "HCPC-registered Operating Department Practitioner with clinical placements in general and orthopaedic theatres, strong sterile technique, and a focus on teamwork and patient safety." Use a career objective if you have limited hands-on experience, and tailor it to the NHS role you want.
Skills section example: list 6 to 10 items that map to the job description such as instrument setup, sterile field maintenance, surgical counts, theatre equipment checks, anaesthetic preparation, patient positioning, infection prevention, sharps safety, and effective handover communication. Education and certification example: include programme name, city, graduation month and year, and HCPC registration status or eligibility if applicable.
Experience bullets you can adapt
Write experience bullets that start with strong action verbs and end with a concrete result where possible. Each bullet should be one to two short sentences and show your role in patient care or theatre efficiency.
Sample bullets for clinical placement or out‑of‑hours work: "Prepared sterile instrument sets and assembled theatre trays for 4 to 6 procedures per day, improving setup efficiency through better tray organisation." "Assisted with surgical counts and maintained sterile field during procedures, contributing to zero count discrepancies during supervised shifts."
Certifications and education
List your ODP qualification, university/college, city, and completion date near the top if you are newly qualified. Also include BLS or ILS certifications and the issuing organisation with expiry dates to show currency.
If HCPC registration is in progress or you are eligible but not yet registered, state your eligibility and expected registration date. Add relevant continuing professional development (CPD) courses such as sterile processing, instrument identification, or perioperative patient safety.
If you studied in the UK, reference GCSEs, A-levels, UCAS points, and any degrees from Russell Group universities where applicable. Do not include your National Insurance number on the CV.
Formatting and ATS tips
Use a clear, simple layout with standard section headings and a readable font size to help both recruiters and applicant tracking systems read your CV. Keep it to 2 pages for an early-career profile and save as a PDF for consistency.
Use UK date format (DD/MM/YYYY) and avoid photos, date of birth, or NI numbers on the CV. Include a short statement about your right to work in the UK.
If applying to NHS roles, tailor keywords to the job description and reference Band 5 pay where relevant. List your location and willingness to travel, and provide references on request.
Refer candidates to UK job boards such as Reed, Indeed UK, Totaljobs, and LinkedIn.