Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Practitioner

The closing date is 09 October 2025

Job summary

This post is for a qualified Assistant Practitioner with experience of working in a breast unit and appropriate training and experience of working at a Level 5 Associate Practitioner role. The role encompasses working both at the Breast Centre at The Great Western Hospital and on the service's two mobile units which travel around Wiltshire on a three year-round plan. The post holder will be expected to carry out breast screening, and in addition to the standard Assistant Practitioner role will carry out mammography in high-risk screening and symptomatic breast clinics for the cancer two week wait.

The post will be 37.5 hours per week, principally within 8.30-5.30 normal working hours but you will be expected to cover some limited evening and weekend work.

Main duties of the job

Patient Client Care

To independently assess each patient. Perform specialist mammography under the indirect supervision of a band 6/7 Radiographer/Mammographer at the speed and technical skill level demanded by the service, adapting radiographic techniques according to the needs of the patient.

To provide an excellent standard of care to women attending for mammography. Be sufficiently informed and professionally competent to identify and address patients' information needs with respect to breast awareness and other health issues.

To provide imaging for screening, symptomatic, high risk, family history or post-surgery ("planned care") patients.

Deal appropriately with complex, sensitive or contentious information on a regular basis.

To assist the Radiologist with Ultrasound examinations.

To meet the psychological needs of anxious patients undergoing biopsies and carry out basic nursing procedures to dress puncture sites and give after-care advice.

To support patients and relatives who may be in a distressed or anxious state with sensitivity and empathy and where there may be barriers to understanding.

About us

"Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives."

Details

Date posted

02 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £37,796 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

249-7468584

Job locations

Great Western Hospital

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Other Factors

To work at a band 5 level but also know when to seek assistance and refer to senior colleagues.

To have read and adhere to the departments Assistant Practitioner Protocol particularly in regard to categories of patient that can be imaged.

To carry out and record routine quality control procedures, equipment tests, and be responsible for reporting any adverse occurrences to nominated QA radiographer or line manager.

To assist with the transfer and management of digital images.

To travel regularly to the mobile screening units when required (own transport and a driving licence are required)

Transport by car memory sticks, paperwork and other items to and from the mobile units daily and in a timely manner, ensuring any patient identifiable data is store adequately in accordance with PIAG section 60 and in relation to security or delivered directly back to the department.

Assist in relocation of mobile screening units if required.

To maintain stock levels within the department and on the mobiles and keep them clean and tidy.

To record clinical details accurately on all paperwork.

To input data accurately onto NBSS computer system and to assist with clerical duties as directed.

To adhere to documented procedures to ensuring delivery of a quality service at all times.

To undertake and participate in departmental audit and to monitor, by self-audit, personal mammographic standards ensuring that they comply with NHSBSP standards. Receive any training necessary to maintain it.

To participate in Continual Professional Development, attend relevant study days and contribute towards multidisciplinary meetings.

To prepare and actively participate in Trusts annual Performance Development Review and ensure training and development needs detailed in your PDP are followed up and their effectiveness evaluated in terms of self, patients and service.

To carry out all x-ray techniques with regard to legal requirements under Ionising Radiation Regulations

To be aware of manual handling, health and safety and clinical governance issues and their consequences. To advise on and assist in the development of safe systems of work.

To be involved in developing and maintaining a Quality Management System and the collation and distribution of statistical data. Develop protocols and work instructions in accordance with the QMS.

To comply with Data Protection Act, Health & Safety at Work Act, Fire Regulations, Infection Control policies and other Trust policies and guidelines.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Other Factors

To work at a band 5 level but also know when to seek assistance and refer to senior colleagues.

To have read and adhere to the departments Assistant Practitioner Protocol particularly in regard to categories of patient that can be imaged.

To carry out and record routine quality control procedures, equipment tests, and be responsible for reporting any adverse occurrences to nominated QA radiographer or line manager.

To assist with the transfer and management of digital images.

To travel regularly to the mobile screening units when required (own transport and a driving licence are required)

Transport by car memory sticks, paperwork and other items to and from the mobile units daily and in a timely manner, ensuring any patient identifiable data is store adequately in accordance with PIAG section 60 and in relation to security or delivered directly back to the department.

Assist in relocation of mobile screening units if required.

To maintain stock levels within the department and on the mobiles and keep them clean and tidy.

To record clinical details accurately on all paperwork.

To input data accurately onto NBSS computer system and to assist with clerical duties as directed.

To adhere to documented procedures to ensuring delivery of a quality service at all times.

To undertake and participate in departmental audit and to monitor, by self-audit, personal mammographic standards ensuring that they comply with NHSBSP standards. Receive any training necessary to maintain it.

To participate in Continual Professional Development, attend relevant study days and contribute towards multidisciplinary meetings.

To prepare and actively participate in Trusts annual Performance Development Review and ensure training and development needs detailed in your PDP are followed up and their effectiveness evaluated in terms of self, patients and service.

To carry out all x-ray techniques with regard to legal requirements under Ionising Radiation Regulations

To be aware of manual handling, health and safety and clinical governance issues and their consequences. To advise on and assist in the development of safe systems of work.

To be involved in developing and maintaining a Quality Management System and the collation and distribution of statistical data. Develop protocols and work instructions in accordance with the QMS.

To comply with Data Protection Act, Health & Safety at Work Act, Fire Regulations, Infection Control policies and other Trust policies and guidelines.

Person Specification

Mammography Qualification/Experience

Essential

  • Qualified Associate Mammographer
  • Experience working in breast imaging
  • Having daily use of your own vehicle
  • Level 4 Mammography Associate Apprenticeship

Desirable

  • Qualified Band 5 Mammographer
  • Currently working within the NHSBSP
  • Current experience working within a breast unit
  • Completion of a recognised training course in Mammography for Assistant Practitioners such as the Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Breast Imaging or equivalent, or Level 5 Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship
Person Specification

Mammography Qualification/Experience

Essential

  • Qualified Associate Mammographer
  • Experience working in breast imaging
  • Having daily use of your own vehicle
  • Level 4 Mammography Associate Apprenticeship

Desirable

  • Qualified Band 5 Mammographer
  • Currently working within the NHSBSP
  • Current experience working within a breast unit
  • Completion of a recognised training course in Mammography for Assistant Practitioners such as the Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Breast Imaging or equivalent, or Level 5 Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Western Hospital

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Employer's website

https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Western Hospital

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Employer's website

https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Advanced Practitioner Radiographer

Lou Thompson

louise.thompson14@nhs.net

01793604229

Details

Date posted

02 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £37,796 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

249-7468584

Job locations

Great Western Hospital

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB


Supporting documents

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