Associate Mammography Practitioner Apprenticeship

Monday, 15 April 2024
Monday, 14 October 2024
Monday, 7 April 2025

The Associate Mammography Practitioner Apprenticeship course is a twelve-month (minimum) Level 4 training programme. To access this course, an individual must be in employment with access to clinical mammography (breast screening or symptomatic clinics).  Following completion, Mammography Associates will be qualified to work within the breast imaging workforce undertaking routine two-view mammography in a hospital, mobile breast screening unit or medical centre.

The End-Point Assessment (EPA) plan is designed to accompany the Apprenticeship Standard for Mammography Associate at Level 4. It provides synoptic assessment of the achievement of knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined in the standard.

For more details on our Apprenticeship course in partnership with South Thames College, London please visit:

Mammography Associate Apprenticeship - Level 4 (stcg.ac.uk)

 

 

 


Useful links

Apprenticeship Standard:

Mammography associate / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education


End Point Assessment Plan

Microsoft Word - ST0583_Mammography Assistant_L4_for publication_22102020.docx (instituteforapprenticeships.org)


Information & Guidance

This Mammography Associate Practitioner Apprenticeship programme is being provided by South Thames College (STC) in partnership with St George’s National Breast Education Centre (StGBEC). STC is the main provider and StGBEC is delivering the expert mammography skills and underpinning knowledge on behalf of STC. We, MFT, run the apprenticeship for internal and external apprentices’ and provide the academic component of the course (like a college would) but all of your clinical training will take place with your employer.

Registering interest in an apprenticeship

To be accepted onto the apprenticeship programme apprentices first need to secure a position as a mammography associate apprentice with an NHS Trust and have approval from the apprenticeship team at their employing Trust. We recommend you seek clarification on the process from the apprenticeship team at your local Trust, as this may vary from site to site.

Qualifications required

Apprentices must have level 2 maths and English in order to progress to the end point assessment (EPA). Level 2 English and Maths functional skills are equivalent to GCSE grade A-C in Maths and English. BTEC qualifications in other subjects are not equivalent to ‘pure’ maths and English qualifications.

As an employer, you may wish to ensure that any applicants it is your responsibility to ensure that your apprentice has attained level 2 Maths and English prior to reaching the EPA.

Your Trust should be able to provide access to this training for apprentices who require it. At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), English and Maths Functional Skills Qualifications are offered in partnership with a Learning Provider (JM1Qual). This is a self-led, online system. The student is assigned an Assessor Tutor and requested to join remote learning sessions, and then set work to do in their own time on an electronic learning platform. When they are ready, they will be invited to sit the qualification exams.

Accessing the Apprenticeship Levy

Trusts will have an Apprenticeship Lead who will undertake this process on behalf of the team wishing to train a colleague via this route. 

The apprenticeship levy is accessed via the Digital Apprenticeship Service. The process of starting a learner on this can be found at:

Apprenticeship funding rules for employers - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

  • Employer registers for a Digital Apprenticeship Service account (if they do not already have one)
  • Employer adds apprentice details (Name, DOB, start date, end date, programme, cost) and sends a training request to their chosen provider (HEE).
  • Provider confirms request by adding the learner’s unique learner number (ULN).
  • Training is live and funding will begin being drawn down on a monthly basis. All funding goes to the provider (STC).

Register of Apprenticeship Providers (RoATP)

 STC are registered on the RoATP. The register of apprenticeship training providers is a list of organisations that are eligible to receive government funding to train apprentices

https://download.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/

Mentors

It is each employer’s responsibility to ensure that their apprentice has a mentor. Mentorship training/qualifications are not essential but preferable. Apprenticeships are employer led, so you are responsible for training you’re apprentice.

Timescales

The mammography associate apprenticeship is a 12 month fulltime apprenticeship and funding is for a fulltime 12 month period (372 days = 12 months + 1 week).

If an apprentice works less than fulltime the apprenticeship duration must be extended accordingly.

For example: an apprentice who works 4 days will take 65 weeks, not 53 to complete the apprenticeship:

  • 53 weeks x 37.5/30 hours (weekly hours) = new minimum duration of apprenticeship
  • 53 weeks x 37.5/30 hours (weekly hours) = 66 weeks

The apprenticeship will also be extended by 12 weeks (again adjusted for part-time workers) to add flexibility for those that need it, but this does not have to be utilised.

20% off-the-job-learning

All apprenticeships must provide 20% off-the-job learning. It is the employers’ responsibility to ensure that the apprentice is allocated this time. Please note: all off-the-job learning must take place during the apprentices’ contracted working hours.

Additional study/review days

Virtual additional study/review days may be offered during the training programme to include some additional support at strategic points (for example: Mock MCQs and image evaluation tutorials prior to EPA). This may be included as evidence to form part of the 20% off-the-job learning and give all apprentices an opportunity to share experiences and consolidate their learning.

Apprentice & Employer Information

Specific apprentice and employer information must be readily available for ESFA monitoring/review purposes and Ofsted inspections. Without this information we are unable to process the apprentices’ application.

Progress Reviews

An individual progress review will be carried out every 8 – 12 weeks. This review will involve the apprentice (learner), mentor (workplace supervisor), and the provider (STC personal tutor).

Contract Reviews

Contract reviews will be carried out monthly. This review will involve the apprentices’ employer (for example; the Apprenticeship Lead, Line Manager, mentor) and the provider (STC).

Expenses

Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs are not funded through the apprenticeship levy. These costs must be met by the apprentices’ employers.

Contacts

If you have any further queries please contact:

Please click on the following link to read about the first cohort of Mammography Apprentices in the country: https://phescreening.blog.gov.uk/2019/01/29/new-mammography-apprenticeship-launches-in-london/

Files: 
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PDF icon Mammography Apprenticeship Leaflet289.19 KBAlicia