At a glance
Become a leader in your field, in an environment where leadership really matters. Joining the Royal Naval Reserve as an Operating Department Practitioner is your opportunity to hone your skills on medicine’s frontline.
Job Role
Operating Department Practitioner Reserve
You’ll work in MOD hospital units, at sea within the surgical team, or with the Commando Forward Surgical Group.
- Undergraduate Degree
- Surface Fleet
- Royal Naval Reserve
- Rating level
Paid Leave
Proportionate to attendance
Tax-free
Annual bounty for training commitment
Extra
Pay if mobilised
Pension
Membership of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme
Travel
All around the world
The Royal Navy operates all over the world, so I do too. It’s great to make a real difference to the lives of our injured personnel.
Role details
What you’ll do
Become a leader in your field, in an environment where leadership really matters. Joining the Royal Naval Reserve as an Operating Department Practitioner is your opportunity to hone your skills on medicine’s frontline.
You’ll gain experience over a number of different clinical areas, from airway management to recovery. And as you increase your expertise, you’ll also begin to realise your management potential, learning from some of the best in the business.
Your role
- Deliver world class healthcare as part of a highly skilled and motivated team.
- Provide vital support to maritime and wider military operations across the globe.
- Provide support in a range of challenging conditions at sea, on land or in the air. Adapt to a variety of platforms including state of the art warships such as the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.
- Travel the world as part of the front line medical services team.
Pay & benefits
- Daily rates of pay equivalent to those of full-time personnel
- Annual tax-free bounty subject to meeting the minimum training commitment
- Paid leave in proportion to the number of training days attended
- Automatic membership of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme
- Expenses and allowances when undergoing training
- Access to sports and fitness facilities
- Opportunities for Adventurous Training (AT)
Skills for life
Qualifications you'll gain
- Working as part of a multi-disciplinary Medical Team
- The opportunity to undergo post-graduate specialisation qualifications
- Leadership and management qualifications
Skills you'll develop
- Military specific qualifications with cross benefit to NHS practice
- Professional skills will be broadened and enhanced with direct benefit to civilian practice
Eligibility
- You must be aged 20 and up to 52, (or 56 if you're serving or an ex-regular), when you start training
- 5 GCSEs grades C/4, which must include English Language and Mathematics
- DipHE or BSc Operating Department Practice
- Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered, without restrictions
- Currently working in a clinical setting
- You must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen, or a Dual National. Dual nationality restrictions do apply
- You need to be within the healthy range for Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Pass the Naval Swimming Test
Skills & Interests
- Self reliant, well-organised future leaders
- Problem solvers with a keen eye for detail
- Team players
- A willingness to help shipmates
Joining Process
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
Step 1
Submit an application
Your first step is to request and fill in your online application. If you have any questions beforehand, you can phone us on 0345 600 3222
Step 2
Presentation
You will be invited to attend an Initial Maritime Reserves Presentation (IMRP) at your nearest Unit. This is your chance to have a look around, meet the team, ask any questions and find out about life in the Reserves
Step 3
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) and interview
You will be invited to an interview, which is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform, where we will check your eligibility and outline the joining process. See more advice here. You will then sit the DAA, which assesses: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension. You will also be invited to have an interview with the medical recruiting team
Step 4
Join your local Unit
You will then be invited to join your Unit for Attestation. This involves swearing allegiance to His Majesty The King and signing the Official Secrets Act. At this point you’ll be a Phase 0 recruit, and will attend weekly drill nights, however you won’t be able to start formal training until you pass your medical and fitness test
Step 5
Medical and fitness test
The medical tests are carried out by your nearest Ministry of Defence approved doctor, but eye tests can be completed at selected high street centres. The Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) requires you to complete a 2.4km run on a treadmill at a local approved fitness centre.
Step 6
Phase 1 training
You’ll now be a signed-up member of the Royal Naval Reserve as a Phase 1 recruit. At this stage you’ll be given your Royal Navy identification card and uniform, and be able to conduct formal basic training
Step 7
Training
During your Phase 1 training you will learn about life in the Royal Navy. This takes place on weekly drill nights. You’ll also spend two weekends learning about life in the military and what it is like at sea
Step 8
Confirmation course
This two-week course is held at HMS Raleigh. Once you’ve completed this you will go on to specialise in your chosen discipline
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Day one
Meet your mentor, start your rotation and preceptorship
Year one
Leading Rates Leadership Course, adventurous training
First promotion
Become Leading Hand, mentor students, go on deployment
Second promotion
Become Petty Officer, take full charge of all equipment
Got a question?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day