Key information

  1. Status: Approved for delivery (available for starts)
  2. Reference: ST0583
  3. Version: 1.2
  4. Level: 4
  5. Minimum duration to gateway: 12 months
  6. Typical EPA period: 3 months
  7. Maximum funding: £10000
  8. Route: Health and science
  9. Date updated: 01/02/2024
  10. Approved for delivery: 22 August 2018
  11. Lars code: 340
  12. EQA provider: Ofqual
  13. Example progression routes:
  14. Review: this apprenticeship will be reviewed in accordance with our change request policy.
Print apprenticeship summary (Including PDF)

Apprenticeship summary

Overview of the role

Operating specialist equipment used to screen people for breast cancer.

Occupation summary

The occupation is found in a hospital or in a community setting such as in mobile breast screening units and medical centres working in a multidisciplinary team.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to work within the breast imaging workforce undertaking routine two-view mammography which are x-ray images of breasts as part of a breast screening programme. The mammography associate will also be able to undertake routine mammography on individuals with symptoms of breast disease. Mammography associates will have a good understanding of breast anatomy, physiology and pathology, including clinical signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and be able to apply knowledge of ionising radiation regulations. They will be technically skilled in operating specialised mammography equipment.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with individuals attending for mammography, their families, carers, the multidisciplinary team and breast imaging workforce. Mammography associates have excellent interpersonal skills and provide high quality care. They will work under the supervision of a radiographer.

An employee in this occupation will be part of the team responsible for monitoring specialised mammography equipment function and performance and for producing mammography images of consistently high quality to meet rigorous standards.

Typical job titles include:

Breast screening assistant practitioner Mammography assistant practitioner Mammography associate

Duties

  • Duty 1 Perform standard mammogram examinations using specialised mammographic equipment.
  • Duty 2 Contribute to the identification and management of risks to self and others to maintain a safe and healthy working environment following local and national standards, policies, standard operating procedures, and protocols used in the workplace.
  • Duty 3 Act within the limits of own competence and within agreed ways of working, following relevant legislation.
  • Duty 4 Ensure image quality and the safe storage of images.
  • Duty 5 Communicate complex sensitive information effectively with individuals, their families, carers and health and care professionals.
  • Duty 6 Ensure equipment and service meet quality control and assurance requirements.
  • Duty 7 Promote the health and wellbeing of individuals, acting on opportunities to educate and empower individuals to maximise their own health and well-being.
  • Duty 8 Work as part of the team and contribute to service improvement.
  • Duty 9 Maintain and further develop own knowledge and skills through recognised continuing professional development activities.
  • Duty 10 Promote an evidence-based approach to providing mammography services, participating in quality improvement and research activity.
  • Duty 11 Support the development of others through role-modelling, supervision, and guidance.

ST0583, mammography associate level 4

This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.

What is an end-point assessment and why it happens

An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.

Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.

The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 12 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:

  • fail
  • pass
  • distinction


EPA gateway

The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.

The gateway requirements for your EPA are:

  • achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
  • for the professional discussion underpinned by a clinical portfolio, you must submit a clinical portfolio of evidence

Assessment methods

Multiple-choice test

You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.

The test will have 60 multiple-choice questions. You will have 90 minutes to complete it.



Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence

You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 15 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a clinical portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.


Who to contact for help or more information

You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.

You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.

You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments

If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.

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Employers involved in creating the standard: Wythenshawe Hospital, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, InHealth Group, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Skills for Health, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The Jarvis Breast Screening Centre, NHS Breast Screening Programme

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.2 Occupational standard, end-point assessment plan and funding band revised 01/02/2024 Not set
1.1 End-point assessment plan revised. 26/10/2020 31/01/2024
1.0 Retired 22/08/2018 25/10/2020

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