Mammography Associate Apprentice

Job overview

Within breast imaging we have openings for a Qualified/trainee Mammography Associate apprentice/ Assistant Practitioner to join our friendly and enthusiastic multidisciplinary team. This opportunity is based at the Nightingale Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, in conjunction with NHS breast screening programme.

The Nightingale Centre offers a state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment service for all breast related health concerns. It is also one of the NHSBSP National Training Centers for mammography and is home to the National Breast Imaging Academy (NBIA).

Qualification as a Mammography Associate Apprentice is preferable, although training will be considered for the right applicant. This will be a Band 3 whilst in training, moving to a band 4 once qualified. (MFT requires all trainees to remain in post for a minimum of 2 years post qualification)

If training is required you will complete a 12-month full-time programme studying; clinical mammography, mammography science, professional practice, quality assurance, communication and team working, and health and safety. To achieve the Institute of Apprenticeships Level 4 Certificate you will need to meet the gateway requirements (a minimum of 500 mammograms and level 2 English and math's) and successfully complete the end point assessment (EPA) which includes a multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam and clinical observation and discussion. We have a wide range of support and resources to enable your development through this pathway.

Main duties of the job

You will be expected to work within the NHSBSP and symptomatic services undertaking routine mammography imaging, producing images of consistently high quality and playing a primary role in client’s and patient’s mammography experiences. This will take place alongside your apprenticeship training if required.

As one of the largest breast screening programme in the country, the Manchester Breast Screening Programme covers a wide area, including Oldham, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Glossop. You will be expected to travel to all to of the screening sites. All mobile and static screening sites are fitted with the latest mammography equipment. Flexible working will be required to support evening and weekend work to meet the demands of the expanding screening population and symptomatic workload.

We would encourage you to arrange an informal visit to of these sites and see the service we are proud of.

The nature of this role is that it is open to female applicants only. This provision applies under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

If you have math's and English GCSE (or equivalent qualifications) and are friendly and enthusiastic about joining our specialised team, then please contact us to discuss the post in more detail or arrange an informal visit to the department and to one of our screening units.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Documents to download’ heading.

Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Documents to download’ heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other. As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.