Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication and Relationship Skills

To communicate effectively with clients, patients, relatives, carers and other healthcare professionals to ensure that individuals are prepared for the examinations they undergo and that informed consent is established, being mindful of the stressful environment.

To be able to adapt communication techniques for clients and patients who have difficulty in understanding imparted information e.g. the elderly and confused, extremely anxious and challenging, non-English speaking, physically aggressive/abusive and those with learning disabilities.

To communicate technical, medical and patient care information with radiologists, surgeons, breast care nurses, assistant practitioners and aides as well as fellow mammographers.

To communicate with mammographers nationally to improve services and develop best practice, through attendance at specialist meetings and conferences.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

B.Sc.  degree in Radiography (or earlier equivalent) with demonstrable post-qualification experience of general Radiography followed by successful completion of the Certificate of Mammography, requiring M.Sc. (Diploma level) study and stringent clinical assessment (or earlier equivalent).

Training in IRMER 2000 regulations ensuring understanding and adherence to applicable department protocols and guidelines

Continued Professional Development as required by HCPC registration; mandatory and optional short courses as required e.g. Life Support, Fire Safety, Health and Safety, Caldicot Training and continuous Self Assessment of quality of films.

Knowledge of the operation, appropriate use and limitations of each piece of equipment in the department.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

To participate and assist in the effective Quality Control and Quality Assurance programme, undertaking daily and periodic testing of all equipment ensuring optimum conditions are in place before commencing clinical work

To interpret QA test results and take appropriate remedial action.

To ensure X-ray machines are operating within safe limits.

To assess most appropriate diagnostic approach based on clients/patients individual needs and abilities.

To make technical judgements to achieve optimum diagnostic value including selection of equipment and accessories and optimising setup.

To balance technical and patient requirements with time constraints.

To make patient recall decisions during screening.

To ensure production of mammograms of optimum diagnostic value whilst maintaining a quality experience for patients and clients and adhering to time constraints as related to:

Screening Service – Routine view mammography on all clients including disabled and with augmented breasts

Additional views and localising for stereotactic cores and localisations.

Symptomatic Service – routine mammography and additional views at Symptomatic clinics in tandem with other health professionals, post surgery follow-ups and Family History patients as well 

Specimen Radiography – imaging of excision specimens during and after surgery

To participate in the appraisal process, identifying personal and professional development and training needs

To participate in the day to day running of the services provided on all sites, to adjust and reorganise the workload as required.

To assist and participate in the multi disciplinary meetings.

Physical Skills

Precise positioning of radiographic equipment and the patient within fine tolerances to produce mammograms of optimum diagnostic quality (Hand-eye co-ordination).

Adjustment of technique to facilitate mammography on clients and patients who are physically disabled or have limited flexibility or mobility.

Achieve a high degree of precision in manipulation of equipment.

Post holder should be able to undertake all the duties of the post.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care 

To provide specialist mammography.

To document clinical observations and use own judgement based on knowledge, skills and experience, to clinically recall women for assessment (i.e. Green Dot system)

To attend to the Health and Safety, wealth and security of patients and staff at all times and adhere to Trust policy on confidentiality.

To provide specialist advice concerning care after core biopsies and wire procedures.

To provide advice relating to breast cancer support and self assessment.

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development

To promote breast awareness, including attendance at staff and multidisciplinary team meetings and liaison with the Breast Screening Programme Manager and Superintendent/Principal Radiographers.

Contribute to development and drafting of departmental protocols.

Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources

Responsible for the safe use of expensive, complex and specialist equipment.

Responsibility for Human Resources

To train and supervise Assistant Practitioners, Radiography Aides and trainee Mammographers as required.

To train and supervise visiting students (Radiographic, nursing, medical) and ensure their health and safety whilst in the Unit.

Responsibility for Information Resources

To document clinical observations and provide accurate patient/client history data.

Enter radiographic details into the appropriate computer system for patients attending symptomatic clinics, including patients initially examined by another Mammographer.

Use the appropriate computer system to query or confirm patient history.

Document equipment test data.

Record QA and Radiation test data; take appropriate action if necessary.

Responsibility for Research and Development

Frequently participate in surveys, audits, clinical trials and in equipment testing when required e.g. compression survey, so that the radiation could be reduced.

Dose audits every six months and other audits within the department.

Contribute to development of best practice.

*The requirement for a female to undertake this role is a genuine occupational qualification. The above is therefore exempt under the Equality Act 2010.