Operating specialist equipment used to screen people for breast cancer.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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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