Lead Mammographer

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust; Worcester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A large acute hospital trust in England is seeking a Lead Mammographer to lead the specialist breast imaging team. The successful candidate will manage staff rotas, ensure high-quality breast imaging services, and work within a multidisciplinary team. Requires a BSc in Radiography and a Post Graduate qualification in Mammography. Ideal for applicants experienced in symptomatic and screening work. This role offers a competitive salary and the chance to make a significant impact on patient care.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in mammography in screening and symptomatic environments.
• Ability to lead a team and manage clinical operations.
• Strong knowledge of NHS Breast Screening Programme.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate clinical breast screening and symptomatic service.
• Ensure high quality clinical breast imaging.
• Manage staff and maintain service standards.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to work under pressure

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Education

Post Graduate Award in Mammography Practice

BSc in Radiography or equivalent

Tools

Mammography equipment

Radiography software

Job description

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Lead Mammographer

The closing date is 16 February 2026

We are currently seeking to recruit a Lead Mammographer to assist in the management of the specialist breast imaging team based at the Worcestershire Breast Unit, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, part of Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust.

We provide a Breast Screening Service as part of the NHSBSP to an eligible population of approximately 130,000 within the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire and asymptomatic breast service across several sites within Worcestershire.

The successful applicant will be required to work within breast imaging as part of the multi‑disciplinary team and will demonstrate a commitment to providing a high quality breast imaging service.

Applicants must possess a BSc in Radiography or equivalent and a Post Graduate qualification in Mammography.

This post would suit an individual already working in a Breast Imaging department, who has experience in both symptomatic and screening breast work.

Some experience of service improvement and development would also be an advantage.

Main duties of the job

• To work in conjunction with the superintendent radiographer to co‑ordinate and ensure that an effective and high quality clinical breast screening and symptomatic service is provided at all times.
• To be responsible for the provision of staff rotas to ensure that an effective and safe radiographic support is available for breast screening and the symptomatic service at all times.
• To ensure that accurate eroster record keeping is maintained for staff, for the purposes of payroll and absence etc.
• To take a lead role in the provision of a high quality breast imaging, maintaining a high personal and departmental standard of clinical imaging.
• To provide clinical leadership and technical expertise in the specialism.
• To manage and co‑ordinate the screening, assessment and symptomatic clinics.
• To manage and participate in the sick call rota.
• To performance manage and formulate personal development plans for other staff members.
• To deputise for the Breast Imaging Superintendent Radiographer in their absence with the associated responsibilities of taking any appropriate action as and when required.

About us

Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester.

Our workforce is nearly 6,800 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Our objectives are simple:

• Best services for local people
• Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
• Best use of resources
• Best people

Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

Job responsibilities

Take a lead role in the provision of a high quality breast imaging service, maintaining a high personal and departmental standard of clinical imaging and to assist radiographers and other staff with technical problems that may arise.

Be responsible for the provision of staff rotas to ensure that an effective and safe radiographic support is available for breast screening and the symptomatic service at all times.

Ensure the effective management of staff in accordance with the Trust policies and procedures.

Ensure that the day to day clinical work is carried out providing the most efficient and safe service for the patient, whilst maintaining patient throughput.

Ensure that existing departmental protocols/QMS procedures are adhered to and to actively participate in the production and implementation of new departmental protocols.

Authorise annual leave, actively manage staff absence in line with Trust policies and deal with disciplinary issues.

Deputise for the superintendent radiographer in their absence with the associated responsibilities of taking any appropriate remedial action as and when required.

Carry out delegated management roles as requested by the superintendent radiographer. In the absence of the superintendent radiographer to be the first point of referral for all staff/patients when any problems arise, and to deal with any queries/complaints following departmental/Trust guidelines.

Performance manage and formulate personal development plans for other staff members within the breast imaging service and so be responsible together with the superintendent radiographer to ensure that all staff receive regular appraisal.

Actively participate in any recruitment and selection processes by acting as a panel member at interview as and when required.

Be aware of Trust HR policies and to actively participate in any other Trust HR issues as required by the superintendent radiographer.

Actively participate in and ensure the symptomatic appointment service is carried out in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Work closely with all clerical personnel both breast screening and symptomatic staff to maintain good communication ensuring the most effective service is provided.

Maintain knowledge of technical and clinical developments within breast imaging, attending professional training / development courses as appropriate and providing feedback that would benefit or enhance the service.

Ensure all equipment is maintained as per the prescribed contract schedules and any repairs are actioned appropriately.

Liaise with the medical physics service to ensure equipment surveys are carried out in a timely manner and any recommendations are acted on within the required timescales.

Ensure Quality Assurance (QA) tests are carried out by other team members, and to liaise with the QA radiographers in problem solving and to sanction any action as and when required in the absence of the superintendent radiographer.

Participate in the organisation and evaluation of regular local client satisfaction surveys for screening clinics on the mobile and at base.

Work in conjunction with the breast screening office manager/ deputy operations manager in organising the movement of the mobile screening van to various sites around Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Liaise with the medical physics service to ensure equipment surveys are carried out in a timely manner and any recommendations are acted on within the required timescales.

Undertake high quality screening mammography at base unit and mobile screening unit.

Undertake high quality mammography and associated specialised radiographic techniques at assessment and symptomatic clinics in the static and mobile units.

Carry out mammography examinations that are adequate for radiological interpretation in 97% of cases.

Perform regular QA tests on the X‑ray equipment (mobile and static) and ensure that results are accurately logged; where results are outside agreed parameters, take actions to resolve the problem.

Check and document identity and demographic details of patients/clients according to departmental practice for screening and symptomatic patients/clients.

Note any reported breast problems and observe and note any significant clinical signs and symptoms according to QMS standard operating procedures whilst not raising anxiety levels in the clients/ patients.

Ensure clients/patients receive a comprehensive explanation about the mammogram and expected time for receiving their results.

Perform accurate standard mammography examinations in a sensitive and professional manner, adhering to a six minute time constraint and be able to adapt techniques to individual patients/clients.

Perform specialised mammography views in assessment and symptomatic clinics as well as using specialised equipment to allow radiologists to perform accurate biopsies on impalpable lesions.

To be aware of the needs of the individual woman and be able to communicate effectively with clients/patients who come from different backgrounds, or who may have challenging behaviour, learning or physical disabilities, or who have just been given bad news.

Demonstrate and communicate empathy and sensitivity in sometimes highly emotive atmospheres ensuring that complex and sensitive information is understood by patients and carers.

Adhere to departmental regulations with particular regard to IR(ME)R, IRR and local rules of practice.

Take part in regular radiographic audit and image analysis sessions of mammography standards to maintain a technical repeat rate of less than 2.7%.

Participate fully in the activities of the breast team, such as attending weekly clinical multidisciplinary team meetings.

Participate in national dose surveys.

X‑ray breast pathology specimens for surgeons to ensure excision of all abnormal breast tissue.

Ensure that pathology laboratory specimens are accurately labelled, documented and transported to the collection point for onward transportation to the pathology laboratory during clinics.

Accurately log client and procedure details according to departmental practice.

Responsibilities when working on a Mobile Unit

Provide a positive/welcoming environment for clients/patients.

Ensure that the mobile unit is maintained as a suitable environment for staff and clients by checking for and reporting any external/internal damage prior to use.

Undertakes cleaning of equipment and interior of mobiles, where necessary in‑line with the trusts control of infection policy.

Ensure the X‑ray equipment is secured before the trailer is moved.

Maintain daily stocks on mobile unit to meet service requirements.

Report any loss or damage of stock to the Superintendent radiographer.

Take responsibility for the relevant legislation relating to Health and Safety, COSHH, IR(ME)R regulations and Fire Procedures.

Take responsibility for suspending/ceasing the screening list due to equipment failure or hazardous working conditions,

Take responsibility to contact relevant agencies to rectify any problems at the earliest opportunity.

To inform superintendent radiographer of all actions undertaken.

Ensure that the mobile screening unit is left secure when leaving the unit.

To ensure the effective use of resources.

Contributes towards budget setting and monitoring for the breast imaging service.

Authorised signatory for cash/financial payments including travel expenses.

Responsible for requisitioning non‑stock items.

Professional, Education and Training

Maintain a professional attitude at all times, maintaining and developing the role of the profession in accordance with the HPC Code of Conduct.

Ensure patient/client confidentiality is maintained at all times in accordance with Trust policy.

Participate in personal and peer film review to ensure adherence to the most recent NHSBSP targets.

To be continually aware of data, policies and guidelines pertaining to the NHSBSP.

Participate in regional breast screening service review and contribute to achieving appropriate targets and standards.

Participate in the appraisal process, maintaining relevant CPD activity and achieving agreed PDP.

To undertake appraisal of radiographers, assistant practitioners and radiographic helpers.

To supervise and support radiographic helpers, assistant practitioners and student radiographers.

To supervise and assist qualified radiographers undergoing mammography training to gain the postgraduate award in mammography practice.

To supervise and support assistant practitioners undertaking mammography.

To co‑ordinate and contribute to departmental team meetings.

Comply with written standard operating procedures and work practises in line with the organisations QMS work procedures.

Comply with written standard operating procedures and work practices in line with the organisations QMS work procedures.

To contribute to departmental discussions on policies and procedures and to suggest changes to improve the patient experience.

Comply with the principles of risk management including health and safety legislation, promoting high standards and acting immediately on hazards or unsafe practices in conjunction with other staff.

Ensure that Trust wide standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality and total care of all who come into contact with services provided by Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust.

Report to the Superintendent Radiographer any sickness or absence from work of any member of the department staff as soon as possible.

Cover the work of colleagues during periods of absence or peak workloads.

Undertake any other tasks or duties in accordance with the grade and nature of the post.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Diploma/Degree in Radiography
• HCPC Registration.
• Possess a Post Graduate Award in Mammography Practice.
• Evidence of relevant courses/CPD.

Personal

• Understanding and knowledge of current techniques and equipment.
• Ability to organize departmental workload across various locations and to use own initiative.
• Ability to negotiate, influence teams and promote team working.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and time management skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure / stressful situations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to deal with confrontational or emotional circumstances.
• Displays enthusiasm and energy
• Forward thinking able to develop the service, develop new ideas and manage change .
• High professional standards.
• Able to foster good working relationships.
• Highly Motivated and ability to motivate others .
• Conscious of appropriate image and self presentation to represent the department/Trust.
• Ability to travel between sites.

Skills and Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of the NHS Breast Screening Programme including policies, guidelines and technical knowledge of specialist mammography equipment.
• Knowledge of IR(ME)R.
• Variety of evidence based clinical skills.
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance including Quality Assurance and Audit.
• Knowledge of Risk Assessment.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety issues and able to promote best practice.
• Demonstrates commitment to own personal/professional development.
• Ability to pass on skills and knowledge to others.
• Willing to undertake further training …
• Ability to carry …
• Willing and able to travel …
• Willingness to develop managerial skills.

Experience

• Extensive experience in mammography.
• Experience in both screening and symptomatic environments.
• Experience of leading a team …
• Must be able to write protocols/guidelines and patient care pathways using research based evidence

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.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust