Breast unit clinical Assistant

Princess Alexandra Hospital; Ivy Chimneys; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in West Essex is recruiting a full-time chaperone for the Breast Unit. You will support clinicians during breast biopsies and related procedures, with comprehensive training provided to the right candidate.

We value compassion, clear communication and teamwork as essential traits. The role offers opportunities for development within a supportive NHS environment, promoting wellbeing and high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Experience as a breast clinical assistant preferred, but training is available.
• Strong communication and compassionate approach essential.
• Good teamwork and ability to work with radiologists and radiographers.

Responsibilities

• Plan and organise daily workload within a specialised area with Radiologists and Radiographers.
• Prepare examination rooms and ensure stock and cleanliness.
• Liaise with doctors re urgent examinations and communicate results to Radiologists.
• Chaperone patients and support during breast examinations and biopsies.
• Enter data into CRIS and update CRIS with post-examination details.
• Safe disposal of clinical waste and handling of body fluids per infection control.

Skills

Compassion

Communication

Teamwork

Tools

CRIS

PAS

Job description

Job overview

This role is a full-time role that involves chaperoning patients within the Breast Unit. The role also involves supporting clinicians undertaking breast biopsies and procedures so would suit someone who has had experience as breast clinical assistant. However we are happy to train the right individual. The key attributes for the role are compassion, excellent communication and team working.

Main duties of the job

• To plan and organise the daily workload within a specialised area in consultation with Radiologists and Radiographers.
• Liaising with doctors requesting urgent examinations and communicating this information to Radiologists in a timely and accurate way.
• Collecting patients from the Breast Unit Waiting Room
• Preparing the patients for examination – asking them to undress and assisting them with this if necessary, explaining the procedures, answering questions. This requires detailed knowledge of the procedures being undertaken.
• Caring for patients within the Breast Unit in terms of their immediate physical and emotional requirements.
• Entering data onto the Breast Unit Information System (CRIS).
• Updating CRIS with post-examination details.
• Safe disposal of clinical waste, including safe disposal of sharps.
• Safe handling of body fluids – this requires awareness and compliance with infection control methods and protocols for cleaning blood, urine etc.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave—a national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.

This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.

We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Prepare the examination room at the beginning of each list, ensuring linen is clean and the room is tidy and fit for purpose.
• Ensure all documentation is present and correct prior to the list beginning.
• Use CRIS and Patient Administration System (PAS) to construct the daily work list.
• Ensure examination rooms are fully stocked of consumable items and replenish as necessary. Report / order when supplies of consumables are low.
• Ensure examination room is kept tidy between patients, changing paper on examination tables.
• Ensure a sufficient supply of examination gowns is available for patients to change into.
• Working closely with the appointments team to ensure all sessions are used optimally.
• Keep patients informed before, during and after examination, including how and where to get the results from the examination.