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London Breast Screening

NHS Cancer Screening Programme

Breast screening training in London

Pilot training programme

London’s NHSBSP has launched an exciting pilot training programme to enable those hoping to have a career in breast screening to access training quickly and easily. The training programme is exploring cross boundary training, new innovative training roles and more.

The training programme can support individuals to:

  • Access post graduate training to specialise in mammography on completion of an undergraduate degree in radiography. On completion, you will be a qualified Radiographer Practitioner.
  • Access the L4 mammography apprenticeship. This is perfect for individuals already working for the NHS who wish to have a more hands on role in patient care and or those wishing to start a career in the NHS. On completion of training candidates will be a qualified Mammography Associate (Associate Practitioner).

How to access the London NHSBSP training programme

All London services advertise vacancies and training opportunities via NHS jobs. Find out more about each of the London NHS breast screening services, and what opportunities are available, please visit the service locations.

How to become a Radiographer Practitioner

To specialise in breast screening you will undertake a post graduate certificate in mammography. These modules are accessed via the national breast training centres and their partner universities.

To be eligible to train to be a Radiographer Practitioner, you must:

  • have completed your undergraduate degree in Radiography
  • be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • Employed by a NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) or supported by your employer to attend a local breast unit

It is important that you are employed by a breast screening service to access the required number of mammogram examinations, or supported by your employer to attend a local breast unit.

Find out more about being a Radiographer Practitioner, and meet some of the Radiographer Practitioners working in London.

To explore what opportunities are available to become a Radiographer Practitioner in London, please contact us.

About being a Radiographer Practitioner

How to become a Mammography Associate (Associate Practitioner)

The London Breast Screening Programme employ trainee Mammography Associates.

L4 Mammography Apprenticeship

The L4 mammography apprenticeship is a 12 month course. On completion of the course you will be a qualified Mammography Associate (Associate Practitioner).

Mammography Associates work within multi-disciplinary teams within a hospital or in a community setting, undertaking mammography of individuals as part of a breast screening programme.

Individuals in this role will be technically skilled in operating specialised mammography equipment and be responsible for producing mammography images of consistently high quality to meet rigorous NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) standards.

This apprenticeship will provide you with an understanding of breast anatomy, physiology, and pathology, including clinical signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and you will be able to apply knowledge of ionising radiation regulations. You will be technically skilled in operating specialised mammography equipment and be responsible for monitoring equipment function and performance.

Minimum requirements to access a L4 Mammography Associate Apprenticeship:

  • Employed by a NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP)
  • GCSE grades A-C in Maths and English (equivalent to level 2 functional skills)

Find out more about being a Mammography Associate, and meet some of the Radiographer Practitioners working in London.

To explore what opportunities are available to become a Mammography Associate in London, please contact us.

About being a Mammography Associate