The drive to boost the breast imaging workforce and address national shortages has reached an important milestone with 100 Mammography Associates qualifying through an apprenticeship.
The Mammography Associates are adding much-needed extra clinical capacity to breast units and screening centres across England, improving access to breast screening and diagnostic services.
The Level 4 apprenticeship, funded by the Apprenticeship Levy, was launched in 2019 and was developed by the Mammography Associate Trailblazer Group, comprising NHS and academic experts, the Society and College of Radiographers and Public Health England, led by Lyndsay Kinnear, National Breast Imaging Academy (NBIA) Radiographic Lead and Chair of the NBIA Radiography Working Group.
“Reaching this milestone, and with a further 70 plus Mammography Associates currently in training, shows how employers are embracing the role,” said Kinnear.
“The apprenticeship provides standardised training and assessment so breast units and screening services can be confident that Mammography Associates completing the apprenticeship have the competencies needed to add real value to their service.
“As the training is funded through the apprenticeship levy, employing mammography associates is a really cost-effective way to train staff who are immediately ‘job ready’ to support the running of an efficient breast imaging service.”
Click below to share this article