Operating department support level 2 NVQ: Some perceptions.

Abstract

New roles for support staff are emerging and registered practitioners are now being asked to devolve key aspects of patient care. This study explores some of the background issues relating to these developments and provides evidence regarding the inevitability but also benefits, if managed well, of these changes. The experience of both support staff who have undertaken the Operating Department Support National Vocational Qualification Level 2 (ODS NVQ) and their managers was examined using a phenomenological approach. Data was obtained on the perceived value of this qualification and training and how it affected the working lives and career development of support staff.