Assistant Practitioner

NHS; Swindon; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking an experienced Assistant Practitioner to join their breast unit in Swindon. Your responsibilities will include conducting mammography and providing excellent patient care. The role requires a qualified Associate Mammographer with experience in breast imaging. You will participate in a team that aims to empower individuals to lead healthier lives, while working in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified Associate Mammographer with experience in breast imaging.
• Daily use of own vehicle required.
• Current experience working within a breast unit.

Responsibilities

• Independently assess each patient for mammography.
• Provide care to women attending for mammography.
• Assist the Radiologist with Ultrasound examinations.

Skills

Breast imaging experience

Patient assessment skills

Excellent communication

Education

Qualified Associate Mammographer

Completion of recognized training course in Mammography

Job description

Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Practitioner

The closing date is 09 October 2025

This post is for a qualified Assistant Practitioner with experience of working in a breast unit and appropriate training and experience of working at a Level 5 Associate Practitioner role. The role encompasses working both at the Breast Centre at The Great Western Hospital and on the service's two mobile units which travel around Wiltshire on a three year-round plan. The post holder will be expected to carry out breast screening, and in addition to the standard Assistant Practitioner role will carry out mammography in high-risk screening and symptomatic breast clinics for the cancer two week wait.

The post will be 37.5 hours per week, principally within 8.30-5.30 normal working hours but you will be expected to cover some limited evening and weekend work.

Main duties of the job

To independently assess each patient. Perform specialist mammography under the indirect supervision of a band 6/7 Radiographer/Mammographer at the speed and technical skill level demanded by the service, adapting radiographic techniques according to the needs of the patient.

To provide an excellent standard of care to women attending for mammography. Be sufficiently informed and professionally competent to identify and address patients' information needs with respect to breast awareness and other health issues.

To provide imaging for screening, symptomatic, high risk, family history or post-surgery ("planned care") patients.

Deal appropriately withcomplex, sensitive or contentious information on a regular basis.

To assist the Radiologist with Ultrasound examinations.

To meet the psychological needs of anxious patients undergoing biopsies and carry out basic nursing procedures to dress puncture sites and give after-care advice.

To support patients and relativeswho may be in a distressed or anxious state with sensitivity and empathy and where there may be barriers to understanding.

About us

"Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives."

Job responsibilities

Other Factors

To work at a band 5 level but also know when to seek assistance and refer to senior colleagues.

To have read and adhere to the departments Assistant Practitioner Protocol particularly in regard to categories of patient that can be imaged.

To carry out and record routine quality control procedures, equipment tests, and be responsible for reporting any adverse occurrences to nominated QA radiographer or line manager.

To assist with the transfer and management of digital images.

To travel regularly to the mobile screening units when required (own transport and a driving licence are required)

Transport by car memory sticks, paperwork and other items to and from the mobile units daily and in a timely manner, ensuring any patient identifiable data is store adequately in accordance with PIAG section 60 and in relation to security or delivered directly back to the department.

Assist in relocation of mobile screening units if required.

To maintain stock levels within the department and on the mobiles and keep them clean and tidy.

To record clinical details accurately on all paperwork.

To input data accurately onto NBSS computer system and to assist with clerical duties as directed.

To adhere to documented procedures to ensuring delivery of a quality service at all times.

To undertake and participate in departmental audit and to monitor, by self-audit, personal mammographic standards ensuring that they comply with NHSBSP standards. Receive any training necessary to maintain it.

To participate in Continual Professional Development, attend relevant study days and contribute towards multidisciplinary meetings.

To prepare and actively participate in Trusts annual Performance Development Review and ensure training and development needs detailed in your PDP are followed up and their effectiveness evaluated in terms of self, patients and service.

To carry out all x-ray techniques with regard to legal requirements under Ionising Radiation Regulations

To be aware of manual handling, health and safety and clinical governance issues and their consequences. To advise on and assist in the development of safe systems of work.

To be involved in developing and maintaining a Quality Management System and the collation and distribution of statistical data. Develop protocols and work instructions in accordance with the QMS.

To comply with Data Protection Act, Health & Safety at Work Act, Fire Regulations, Infection Control policies and other Trust policies and guidelines.

Person Specification

Mammography Qualification/Experience

• Qualified Associate Mammographer
• Experience working in breast imaging
• Having daily use of your own vehicle
• Qualified Band 5 Mammographer
• Currently working within the NHSBSP
• Current experience working within a breast unit
• Completion of a recognised training course in Mammography for Assistant Practitioners such as the Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Breast Imaging or equivalent, or Level 5 Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust