The National Breast Imaging Academy (NBIA) is delighted be welcoming a new cohort of mentors from across the country to its Mentorship Programme. This six-month, self-paced online course, that launched in March 2024, was developed to meet the needs of mentors of mammography associate (MA) apprentices.
Lyndsay Kinnear, NBIA Radiographic Lead and Chair of the NBIA Radiography Working Group, shared her thoughts on the programme:
“Mentorship is crucial in the MA apprenticeship, helping apprentices make the most of their academic study and practical training experiences. Recognising the importance of mentor training, we developed this course to be flexible, allowing mentors to complete it at their own pace over six months.”
The Mentorship Programme includes four key components:
1. Understanding the mammography associate apprenticeship.
2. Defining the roles and responsibilities of a mentor and optimising the mentoring relationship.
3. Teaching and learning strategies.
4. Skills and tools for effective mentoring.
The programme concludes with a ‘live’ online workshop, designed to consolidate and review the key learning points from the previous six months.
Lyndsay added:
“We know that the mentors who completed the first course found it very beneficial as it enhanced their ability to support their apprentices. Developing high quality Mammography Associates helps boost breast imaging capacity and capability within the national breast screening programme and symptomatic breast services.”
For more information, please contact the NBIA at nbia.apprenticeship@mft.nhs.uk