About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a qualified mammographer to join our Breast Imaging team in Plymouth. Applications are also welcomed from qualified radiographers wishing to undertake postgraduate mammography training; trainees will remain Band 5 until qualified.
Services are delivered across Derriford Hospital, a city-centre static unit, and a mobile screening unit serving outlying areas, requiring travel using your own transport. The Breast Unit includes Siemens mammography machines with tomographic capability, a prone stereotactic unit, and Canon ultrasound rooms.
The successful candidate will maintain high standards of imaging and patient care, contribute to CPD, support screening and symptomatic clinics, assist with biopsy and localisation procedures, and help supervise assistant practitioners. Some weekend working is required.
This post is open to female applicants only under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010 in line with NHS Breast Screening Programme requirements.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
The post holder will undertake high-quality mammography examinations across the Breast Imaging Service at Derriford Hospital, the Plymouth City Centre static unit, and mobile screening units within the catchment area.
Duties include digital breast tomosynthesis, contrast enhanced mammography, supporting image-guided procedures, maintaining competency in biopsy and localisation techniques, carrying out quality assurance checks, monitoring equipment, reporting faults, and maintaining accurate clinical records in line with Trust policies, radiation safety, and data protection requirements. The role also involves participation in audit, research, clinical governance, CPD, and multidisciplinary team meetings.
The successful candidate will provide compassionate, patient-centred care, ensuring women attending breast examinations have a positive experience and understand procedures clearly. Effective communication and close working relationships with radiologists, radiographers, advanced practitioners, breast clinicians, nurses, administrative staff, and the wider breast care team are essential.
Additional responsibilities include supervising assistant practitioners, mammographer associates, and imaging care assistants, contributing to training and service development, and supporting clinics across all sites, including occasional weekend working and travel to mobile and static units using own transport.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.
If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description Job responsibilities
1. To undertake mammography examinations of diagnostic quality in the breast imaging department at Derriford Hospital, the Plymouth City Centre static unit and on the mobile mammography screening unit at the various sites across the outlying catchment area.
2. To undertake digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) examinations on patients/clients as required
3. To undertake contrast enhanced mammography as required.
4. To provide the Consultant Radiologist/Radiographer, Advanced Practitioner or Specialist Registrar with x-ray guidance during breast interventional procedures.
5. To maintain competence in all breast x-ray examinations and interventional procedures, including biopsy and localisation.
6. To prepare equipment required for interventional procedures and to dispose of equipment safely following the procedure in line with Trust Policy.
7. To apply compression and dressings to the patient following interventional procedures.
8. To maintain competence in the use of the biopsy specimen x-ray machine.
9. To be mindful of the needs and concerns of the women attending for breast examination and explain to them all procedures where appropriate.
10. To ensure all clients attending for breast screening have a positive experience ensuring they will reattend in the future.
For further information please see attached job description
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Demonstrable experience as a radiographer/mammographer BSc in Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent State registered with Health Care Professions Council Certificate of Competence in mammography or equivalent
Desirable
Previous demonstrable experience of mammographic examinations Computer literiate Counselling skills
Knowledge and experience Essential
Demonstrable experience as a radiographer/mammographer Proven evidence of recent CPD
Aptitude and ability Essential
Good verbal & written communication skills Proven ability to work unsupervised and on own initative Proven interpersonal skills especially verbal and written communication skills Proven ability to organise own workload but also able to work as a member of the team
Other factors Essential
Proven ability to travel between sites Proven ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
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 University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and Plymouth Breast Screening Sites
Derriford Road,
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)