The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Practitioner/Trainee

The closing date is 12 January 2026

Job summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Assistant Practitioner in Mammography to join our Breast Imaging team in the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust. Our aim is to provide a high quality, timely, multi-disciplinary breast diagnostic service. We do this in a supportive environment, whilst embracing new technologies and always putting our patients at the heart of what we do.

As well as qualified Assistant Practitioners, we also welcome applications for a training post whereby the successful candidate will be paid Band 3 during the training period and at Band 4 upon successful completion of training and all competencies within a 12 month period.

The Breast Unit is a busy department working within both the National Breast Screening service and a Symptomatic Breast service. Therefore, the ability to work both in a team and independently and to communicate in a wide variety of settings is essential.

You should have a relevant Assistant Practitioner qualification, or, for the training post, you should have NVQ Level 3 in Diagnostic & Therapeutic Support or equivalent or similar certification or evidence of personal development or previous experience as a Radiographic Assistant. A basic knowledge of the NHS Breast Screening Programme would be an advantage, together with some experience of working in this environment.

Due to the sensitive nature of this post, only female applicants will be considered (this provision applies under Section 7(2)(b) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975)

Main duties of the job

The role involves undertaking routine specified radiographic examinations as per achieved competency under the supervision of a registered practitioner, and to assist in the delivery of a high quality and accurate breast service. A high level of professionalism and technical standard of work is required.

The hours are 37.5 per week working Monday-Friday. Although based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary you will be required to work on our Mobile Breast Screening Units on a rotational basis at sites across the North East region and therefore a current driving license and access to a car is essential.

Interview Date Thursday 22 January 2026
You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

About us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:

Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
Freeman Hospital
Newcastle Dental Hospital
Cramlington Manor Walks
Urgent treatment centres
Newcastle Fertility Centre
Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
Northern Genetics Service

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Date posted

30 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

317-2025-46-023

Job locations

Royal Victoria Infirmary

317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary

NE1 4LP

Job description

Job responsibilities

Band 4

To undertake screening mammography examinations under the indirect supervision of a State Registered Radiographer
Assisting the radiographic, radiology and clerical teams in delivering a high quality efficient and effective mammography imaging service and demonstrate a professional, caring and responsible approach to patients
Act as chaperone and assist in breast clinics as directed by the radiographers and radiologists

Band 3

To learn the skills and undertake the appropriate under pinning theoretical knowledge in order to undertake mammography radiographic imaging under the direct supervision of a State
Registered Radiographer. Assisting the radiographic and clerical teams in delivering a high quality efficient and effective mammography service and demonstrate a professional, caring and responsible approach to patients
Act as chaperone and assist in breast clinics as directed by radiologists/advanced practitioners

Job description

Job responsibilities

Band 4

To undertake screening mammography examinations under the indirect supervision of a State Registered Radiographer
Assisting the radiographic, radiology and clerical teams in delivering a high quality efficient and effective mammography imaging service and demonstrate a professional, caring and responsible approach to patients
Act as chaperone and assist in breast clinics as directed by the radiographers and radiologists

Band 3

To learn the skills and undertake the appropriate under pinning theoretical knowledge in order to undertake mammography radiographic imaging under the direct supervision of a State
Registered Radiographer. Assisting the radiographic and clerical teams in delivering a high quality efficient and effective mammography service and demonstrate a professional, caring and responsible approach to patients
Act as chaperone and assist in breast clinics as directed by radiologists/advanced practitioners

Person Specification

Meets All Band 4 Criteria

Essential

Higher Certificate of Education or a Foundation Degree both with relevant radiography modules (mammography)
NVQ level 3 in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Support or experience as a radiographic assistant
Previous health care experience
Knowledge of NHS Breast Screening Programme
Current driving licence and car owner
Good communication skills

Desirable

Knowledge of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP)
Knowledge of organisational and health and safety policies
IT skills with knowledge of data protection and patient confidentiality

Meets All Band 3 Criteria

Essential

NVQ 3 in Diagnostic & Therapeutic Support or equivalent or similar certification or evidence of personal development or previous experience as a Radiographic Assistant
Good educational background
Knowledge of the data protection act and patient confidentiality
Understanding of the importance of working to agreed standards/protocols
Current driving licence and car owner
Good communication skills and ability to work in a team
Basic IT skills

Desirable

Previous health care experience
IT skills
Basic knowledge of the National Health
Knowledge of radiation protection
Knowledge of organisational and health and safety policies

Person Specification

Meets All Band 4 Criteria

Essential

Higher Certificate of Education or a Foundation Degree both with relevant radiography modules (mammography)
NVQ level 3 in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Support or experience as a radiographic assistant
Previous health care experience
Knowledge of NHS Breast Screening Programme
Current driving licence and car owner
Good communication skills

Desirable

Knowledge of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP)
Knowledge of organisational and health and safety policies
IT skills with knowledge of data protection and patient confidentiality

Meets All Band 3 Criteria

Essential

NVQ 3 in Diagnostic & Therapeutic Support or equivalent or similar certification or evidence of personal development or previous experience as a Radiographic Assistant
Good educational background
Knowledge of the data protection act and patient confidentiality
Understanding of the importance of working to agreed standards/protocols
Current driving licence and car owner
Good communication skills and ability to work in a team
Basic IT skills

Desirable

Previous health care experience
IT skills
Basic knowledge of the National Health
Knowledge of radiation protection
Knowledge of organisational and health and safety policies

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.