How a T‑Level student’s hospital placement sparked a new career

When Kelly Ochonogor became the first student to undertake a T-Level placement here at Medway Maritime Hospital, little did she know it would set her on an entirely new career path.

At the time of her placement, Kelly was studying a T-Level health course at MidKent College and was focused on pursuing a career in clinical psychology. But that all changed when a new interest was sparked in the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) role after she shadowed staff working in the operating theatre.

ODPs are vital members of the theatre team, combining technical skill, clinical knowledge and compassionate care to keep patients safe before, during and after surgery.

The 21-year-old, from Chatham, said: “I didn’t know much about the ODP role at the time, but seeing the teamwork, the practical skills, and the level of patient support involved made me realise this was exactly where I wanted to be.”

After finishing college, Kelly worked at the hospital as a Clinical Support Worker for a year to help strengthen her clinical experience before applying for a three-year ODP apprenticeship. Combining academic study with hands‑on experience, Kelly gets to learn in a clinical environment working alongside anaesthetists, surgeons and theatre teams to help deliver safe, high‑quality care at every step of a patient’s surgical journey.

Reflecting on her career during National Apprenticeship Week, she added: “At first, theatre felt like a completely different world. But as I gained experience, I began to understand the significance of every task. Each placement has helped me grow in confidence, and seeing theory come to life in practice has been incredibly rewarding.

“The staff have been so welcoming and generous with their time too. My practice facilitators have guided me through every step. Having that support has made a huge difference.”

Looking ahead to when she completes her apprenticeship in June 2028, Kelly said: “I hope to be a confident, experienced ODP, maybe even specialising or pursuing further studies.

“This apprenticeship has opened so many doors for me. I’ve always been quite shy, but this environment has pushed me out of my comfort zone. I feel like I’m growing into the best version of myself and also put the opportunity and growth I have experienced so far down to my faith.”

Tracy Dray, PODP and Practice Development Facilitator, said: “Kelly was employed as an apprentice ODP in main theatres last year following a successful interview. It was the first time we had interviewed prospective ODPs from outside the theatre department, as we had previously recruited staff with prior theatre experience but Kelly truly shone.

“Prior to her apprenticeship starting, we employed her four weeks early to allow her to gain insight into how the operating department functions and to provide her with some initial grounding. Her enthusiasm was fantastic and it was clear that she was well suited to working with us.”

Lucy Mason, the hospital’s Work Based Learning Manager, said: “Kelly’s journey demonstrates the important role apprenticeships play in creating accessible routes into clinical careers and strengthening our future NHS workforce.”

While most apprenticeships are completed by current staff, opportunities for external applicants continue to grow. To find out about apprenticeship opportunities at Medway Maritime Hospital visit the website.

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