Assistant Practitioner Breast Screening Unit Band 3 (progressing to band 4 when certificate achieved)

Job details

• Branch: Craigavon Area Hospital (SHSCT)
• Location: Craigavon Area Hosp-Main Building
• Directorate: Adult Community and Acute Services
• Salary: Band 3 (£24,937 - £26,598)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 08/09/26
• Closes: Tue, 22 September 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Assistant Practitioner (Breast Screening Unit)

BAND

3 (Progressing to band 4 when certificate achieved.)

DIRECTORATE

Surgical and Clinical Services

INITIAL LOCATION

Breast Screening Craigavon Area Hospital

(With a requirement to work across trust sites)

REPORTS TO

Principal lead breast radiographer

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Head of Diagnostics

FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE

Fixed working patterns, Part-time working

JOB SUMMARY

Assist in the delivery of the NHS Breast Screening Programme and Breast

Imaging Service. They will have to undertake mammography to National

Standards. To be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, to provide

the highest standards of patient care.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform NHS Breast Screening programme mammography to national standards on static or mobile units, producing consistently high standards of work and participating in peer review.

All examinations are to be performed to the highest quality with adherence to departmental protocols and procedures.

Decide whether a screening client imaging request is justified under Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) (NI) Regulations 2018 under supervision of Radiographer.

Developing skills and knowledge by assisting & participating in various procedures undertaken within the department.

To assist Clinicians and advanced practitioners during biopsy procedures using basic nursing techniques as required.

To support agitated and anxious clients and family members during and following

examination.

Ensure equipment is properly maintained, reporting and deficiencies or malfunction to the radiographer in charge.

To report any equipment malfunction or image quality deterioration or failure, without delay.

To observe the IRM(E)R Regulations (2018) NI , IRR (2017) and associated Employers procedures and Radiation Local Rules.

Ensure Radiation Protection rules are applied at all times.

Be familiar with and abide by the Trust policies in relation to Health & Safety, drawing specific attention to: - COSHH Regulations - Fire Procedures - Moving & Handling Infection Control.

Act as a professional in treating each patient as an individual in terms of courtesy, kindness, empathy and confidentiality.

Perform quality control tests on all imaging equipment, recording the results, ensuring that all results fall within acceptable limits and reporting all variations to the designated person.

Accurately record all demographic client details and relevant clinical details and observations. Assist in assessment clinics with general patient care. Undertake stock control, to ensure adequate level of supplies at all times. Keep up with current developments in mammography procedures and breast care issues by participating in Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Be responsible for keeping the department in general and your work area specifically clean, tidy and safe, reporting any defects or occurrences which may affect safety.

Be flexible in your approach to workload by participating in extended working day sessions.

Take part in annual KSF development review/appraisal conversation and competency assessment as required.

To adhere to QMS Documentation as directed.

To participate in the Health Education and Promotion programme of the service.

To participate in internal audit as directed by lead radiographer.

To attend and renew mandatory training requirements as outlined in Trust mandatory training matrix.

To foster CPD reflective practice and life-long learning by embracing professional development opportunities such as attendance at study days, conferences, applications training, courses etc.

To comply with radiology Supervision policy and procedures.

To be accountable for own practice by reviewing imaging on a monthly basis.

To Participate and contribute to the Radiology Quality Management System, and corresponding Quality Standard for Imaging (QSI) accreditation process.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

PERSONAL AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (PPI)

Involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community where relevant, in developing, planning, delivering and evaluating our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI) and Co-Production. Further information is available at engage.hscni.net

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust’s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

June 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Assistant Practitioner Band 4

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Breast Screening Unit/Surgical and Clinical Services

SALARY

HOURS 37.5hrs (Full-Time/Part-Time Posts will be considered.)

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Have worked in a Radiology Department for a min of 2 years.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Hold a NVQ Level 3 or equivalent for a min of two years.

Willing to undertake the PGC Mammographic studies.

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Effective Planning & organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own workload.

Effective Communications skills to meet the needs of the post in full.

Ability to work as part of a Multi-disciplinary Team

Ability to use own initiative.

Ability to identify solutions to problems and implement them effectively.

Ability to work to tight timescales whilst meeting targets.

Available to begin work at 8:00am when required.

Flexibility with regard to working arrangements. Willing to work shift pattern as determined by the Trust to meet the demands of the post and the service. if required.

Interview

Knowledge

Have an understanding of Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (NI) 2018 & IRR (2017) knowledge of up to date current professional issues.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

1.Experience of using a broad range of general Radiography Assistant skills attained whilst in post.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times