Specialty Grade - Breast Screening

Bedfordshire Hospitals; Luton, Bedford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Specialty Grade Breast Clinician to join our established breast imaging service, supporting screening and symptomatic pathways. The post offers work within a busy unit near the Luton & Dunstable Hospital and exposure to digital imaging techniques and MDT collaboration.

You will read screening mammograms, assess abnormalities, perform image-guided biopsies, and contribute to teaching and governance.

Qualifications

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification and full postgraduate examination.
• Interest in breast imaging with commitment to CPD and governance.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary breast imaging team.

Responsibilities

• Reading screening mammograms.
• Clinical and imaging assessment of screen detected abnormalities.
• Image guided breast biopsy and excision.
• All aspects of breast evaluation within the symptomatic service.
• MDT attendance and contribution.
• Communication with patients, relatives, carers and the multidisciplinary team.
• Administration related to clinical work.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Teamwork

Clinical assessment

Education

MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

Full postgraduate examination (MRCP UK / MRCPCH / MRCS / MRCGP)

Intercalated BSc or MSc/MD (research)

Job description

The Breast imaging service, including breast screening and symptomatic services are looking for a Specialty Grade Breast Clinician, to join our dedicated and enthusiastic breast team. The Breast Screening Service is one of the biggest in England has a large eligible population, inviting 82,000 patients each year for their routine annual mammogram.

The successful applicant will join an established team of Consultant radiologists, Specialist Doctors, Breast Clinicians, Consultant Radiographers and a Consultant Nurse who all provide breast imaging to both screening women and the symptomatic service working alongside the surgical team providing one –stop clinics.

The breast imaging unit is a dedicated unit – near to the main Luton & Dunstable Hospital - and provides full digital imaging, with five mobile units, two dedicated full field mammography units including tomosynthesis, stereo- biopsies and Vacuum assisted biopsies. Four dedicated ultrasound units are also in the department.

Skill mix is present in the unit, with both advanced and assistant practitioners. Skills include film reading, interventional techniques, guide wire localisation and Vacuum assisted biopsy.

The department provides a supportive environment to actively encourage staff in their CPD activities and role development.

Previous applicants need not apply

Main duties of the job

• Reading screening mammograms
• Clinical and imaging assessment of screen detected abnormalities
• Image guided breast biopsy and excision
• All aspects of breast evaluation within the symptomatic service
• MDT attendance and contribution.
• Communication with patients, their relatives and carers, members of the multidisciplinary team, other specialties, GPs and the wider community service.
• Administration related to clinical work

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The agreed job plan will include clinical, governance, teaching and administrative duties as well as time to support professional activities
• The appointee will work under the supervision of, and be responsible to, Dr Janet Bietzk, Director of Screening and, in her absence, to other senior colleagues.
• In case of difficulties of any kind, the post holder will seek the advice of the appropriate Consultant. The post holder is not expected to participate in any work beyond his/her level of expertise.
• The proposed timetable may be subject to change in response to service demands and developments.
• Secretarial support will be provided together with IT equipment, including access to the internet.
• The Specialty Doctor will participate in the regular Departmental Teaching, Audit and Governance meetings.
• So far as is consistent with the proper discharge of the above duties, the appointee undertakes to deputise from time to time for absent colleagues.

Qualifications

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• Full postgraduate examination (e.g., full MRCP (UK) or MRCPCH or MRCS or MRCGP) at the time of application
• Intercalated BSc or equivalent Higher degrees including MSc, PhD or MD (where the research thesis is not part of first medical degree

Academic Skills – research and audit skills

• Demonstrates understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
• Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, patient safety and clinical quality improvement initiatives
• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence informed practice
• Demonstrates an understanding of research methodology
• Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements, e.g., degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements
• Demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the specialty beyond the mandatory curriculum

Clinical Skills

• Evidence of excellent communication skills and managing patients with diverse presentations.
• Able to apply sound judgement and knowledge to clinical problems
• Evidence of skills in the management of patients not requiring hospital admission
• Experience working or training exclusively in breast diagnostic and clinical services

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.