Senior Clinical Fellow in Breast Radiology

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A major teaching hospital in the Southwest is offering an exciting fellowship in breast radiology. You will be joining a dedicated team to provide high-quality imaging services and participate in training and research. The role includes engaging in multidisciplinary meetings and clinical governance, ensuring the highest standards of patient care and education. Ideal candidates should have full FRCR registration and significant experience in breast radiology, along with excellent communication and IT skills.

Benefits

Access to online learning

Study leave budget

Opportunities for national courses and conferences

Qualifications

• Evidence of clinical competencies in breast radiology.
• Confidence in performing image-guided interventional techniques.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality symptomatic and screening breast imaging services.
• Participate in MDT meetings and collaborate with team members.
• Contribute to teaching, audit, service improvement, and research.

Skills

Evidence of formal training in diagnostic clinical radiology

Evidence of significant experience in breast radiology

IT skills and computer literacy

Education

Full FRCR (UK candidates)

Post-graduate qualification (e.g., MRCP, FRCS)

Job description

Shape the Future of Breast Radiology in the Southwest

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) is the largest teaching hospital in the Southwest and a major trauma centre, serving a diverse population of over 450,000 locally and nearly 2 million across the peninsula.

This is a unique opportunity to work in a busy and dynamic tertiary breast unit in the beautiful Southwest of England on the border between Devon and Cornwall.

You will be joining a dedicated, forward‑thinking and friendly team of 5 Breast Radiologists, 1 Consultant Radiographer, 2 Senior Clinical Fellows and 4 Advanced Practitioner Radiographers (stereo biopsy and screen reading). The imaging team works closely alongside 5 Breast Surgeons in the Primrose Breast Care Centre to offer a full range of breast surgical options including oncoplastic and risk‑reducing surgery.

The Primrose Centre provides comprehensive symptomatic and screening services, including prone tomosynthesis vacuum biopsy, upright stereo biopsy, ultrasound vacuum biopsy and excision, contrast‑enhanced mammography (CEM), shear‑wave elastography, breast MRI and Magseed localisation.

Plymouth is the site of the Peninsula Radiology Academy and Peninsula Medical School, and our department is enthusiastic about teaching Radiology trainees both at the Academy and at the Primrose Centre. University Hospitals Plymouth has an active R&D department and there is ample opportunity to undertake research and audit.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Deliver high‑quality symptomatic and screening breast imaging services
• Participate in one‑stop clinics, breast assessment clinics and MDT meetings
• Perform image‑guided breast interventions alongside mammogram and breast MRI reporting
• Contribute to teaching, audit, service improvement and research
• Collaborate with Radiology Registrars and Advanced Practitioner Radiographers
• Optionally maintain general radiology skills

Training & Development

• Access to online learning, local library and study leave budget
• Educational supervision, appraisal and mentorship
• Formal assessments via RCR e‑portfolio
• Opportunities to attend national breast imaging courses and conferences

Job Description

As an integral member of the radiology team, the fellow will be responsible for:

• Delivering screening and symptomatic breast services
• Optimising patient management
• Participating in MDT meetings
• Communicating with respect and professionalism with all members of the multidisciplinary team
• Working within the framework of team decisions
• Undertaking audit and service improvement projects
• Contributing to clinical governance and quality improvement of services
• Collaborating in research
• Assisting in training of Radiology Registrars and Radiographer Advanced Practice
• Working in accordance with Trust procedures and operating policies
• Embodiment of integrated team working and whole‑systems approach to the wider health community
• Demonstrating initiative, enthusiasm, flexibility and a sense of humour

On‑call

On‑call is not a requirement of this fellowship.

Experience Offered for this Role

The fellowship provides comprehensive specialist training in breast radiology, encompassing all aspects of symptomatic and screening breast imaging. Fellows will gain multidisciplinary experience in breast pathology, cancer genetics, epidemiology, service management, quality control, audit and evaluation. Dedicated study leave budgets and access to national courses are available. Fellows will be subject to local hospital appraisal and an end‑of‑fellowship review.

Support Services

Outpatient and assessment clinics are delivered from the Primrose Unit on level 07.

Education

The Trust is working in partnership with the Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.

Research

Clinical research is encouraged and supported within the department and hospital.

Clinical Audit

All junior staff passing through the department are encouraged to pursue a significant audit project during their time, with guidance from consultants.

Clinical Governance

A Service Line Clinical Governance meeting is held monthly and a Care Group meeting quarterly to address governance issues. The department provides a quarterly clinical governance report.

Clinical Meetings

Weekly multidisciplinary meetings, a monthly Audit and CME meeting, and quarterly unit policy meetings are held.

Relationships

The post holder will be professionally accountable to the Medical Director and managerially accountable to the Service Line Director.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Full FRCR (UK candidates)
• Eligible for full GMC registration
• Recognised postgraduate radiology with minimum 3‑year radiology training programme (international candidates)

Desirable

• Full GMC registration
• Full FRCR (international candidates)
• Post‑graduate qualification e.g. MRCP, FRCS, MRCS, PhD etc. or equivalent

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of formal training in diagnostic clinical radiology
• Evidence of significant experience in breast radiology (at least at level of indirect supervision), including mammogram and ultrasound interpretation, ability to perform US breast biopsy and other breast interventions under indirect supervision, and ongoing professional development in breast imaging

Desirable

• Evidence of formal sub‑specialty training in breast imaging
• Development of local imaging protocols
• Experience running breast clinics independently (mammography, US and interventions in the breast and axilla)
• Prior experience working in the NHS as a Radiologist

Clinical & Technical Skills

Essential

• Evidence of clinical competencies in breast radiology (portfolio/appraisal process)
• Confidence in performing image‑guided interventional techniques
• Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgment to problems
• IT skills and computer literacy

Desirable

• Ability to perform all breast interventions independently, including vacuum‑assisted biopsies and excisions under US or stereotactic control, localisations and axillary interventions
• Experience reporting breast MRI

Communication

Essential

• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Effective communication and liaison with patients and team members
• Proficiency in spoken and written English to an appropriate standard
• Good team player

Desirable

• Good ability to share knowledge with medical and non‑medical colleagues
• Formal training in communication and counselling

Audit & Research

Essential

• Understanding of audit and research principles in breast radiology
• Evidence of participation in clinical audit or research in breast radiology
• Clinical risk management and clinical governance

Desirable

• Evidence of leading breast‑related audit or research projects with publication
• Presentation of audit findings at national or international meetings
• Completion of formal Good Clinical Practice (GCP)/audit/research training

Teaching

Essential

• Prior experience teaching medical students and junior doctors
• Willingness to contribute to breast radiology teaching of Radiology Registrars, trainees and allied health professionals

Management

Essential

• Understanding of NHS health service management principles
• Evidence of participation in service improvement projects
• Understanding of NHS, clinical governance and resource constraints

Desirable

• Formal management and leadership training
• Experience in a managerial or leadership role within radiology