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This combined foundation degree and apprenticeship is suitable for existing Mammography Associates and Assistant Practitioners that demonstrate the potential to take on the greater challenges of the Assistant Practitioner role.
For existing assistant practitioners and mammography associates, successful completion of the programme will prepare them to take on additional responsibilities tailored to your workforce needs. Level 5 apprentices will be supported to extend their scope of practice, learn how to collaborate across professional boundaries, and use evidence to support their decision-making.
Who will deliver the programme?
The programme will be delivered by the University of Bolton
FdA Health and Social Care (Assistant Practitioner (Health) Higher Apprenticeship Route)
The two mammography modules will be delivered by:
• NBIA/Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
• St. George’s National Breast Education Centre
• The Jarvis/InHealth
What will the course cover?
Advanced Mammography Skills 1
- Advanced/Supplementary Views (tomosynthesis, magnification, male imaging, implant imaging and Eklund views, medical devices, etc.)
Advanced Mammography Skills 2
- Interventional Procedures
- Stereo/Needle QC Tests
What are the entry requirements?
- Level 2 functional skills, GCSE (grade A – C or 4 – 9) or equivalent in maths and English*
- One of the following:
• Level 4 mammography associate apprenticeship
• NVQ level 3 Assistant Practitioner in mammography
• Equivalent qualification/relevant experience
• Apprentices should ideally be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week*
• Apprentices must meet apprenticeship funding rules
*will be reviewed on an individual basis
Can mammography modules be completed as ‘standalone’ modules?
The mammography modules are being delivered as part of the Assistant Practitioner (Health) Higher (Level 5) Apprenticeship.
We don’t have any plans to deliver the mammography modules as stand-alone as our intention is to allow apprentices to develop their academic skills, gaining a University Foundation Degree Award whilst developing the workplace knowledge, behaviours and skills to support the wider scope of practice.
Can apprentices bypass the L4 mammography associate apprenticeship and start with the L5?
No. The L5 will not cover ‘standard’ two-view mammography. The L5 apprenticeship is there to offer career and personal development to existing assistant practitioners and mammography associates.
The L5 will allow apprentices to develop their academic skills, gaining a University Foundation Degree Award whilst developing the workplace knowledge, behaviours and skills to support the wider scope of practice.
Does the L5 apprenticeship/foundation degree lead to HCPC registration?
Assistant practitioners remain part of the support and supervised workforce; the foundation degree does not lead to HCPC registration.
After completion of the L5 apprenticeship/foundation degree can assistant practitioners’ step onto Y2 of an undergraduate radiography degree programme?
Initial conversations with undergraduate clinical tutors indicate that the academic content and assessments (extremities, thorax, abdomen etc.) in Y1 cannot be bypassed. However, a conversation around APEL of specific content (communication, for example) may lead to a reduction in time on programme.
We cannot comment/speculate on individual HEIs responses to enquiries.
After completion of the L5 apprenticeship/foundation degree will assistant practitioners be an AfC Band 5?
The job description, person specification and AfC banding will, as with other roles, be the employer’s responsibility.
How much does it cost?
£14,000 – Like the L4 apprenticeship, funding via the Apprenticeship Levy (Growth and Skills Levy as of April 2025) should be applied for.
Please contact your Trust apprenticeship team for guidance on local Apprenticeship Levy application processes.
If you have any further questions or wish to be added to our mailing list to be notified when we open for Expressions of Interest, please do not hesitate to get in touch at nbia.apprenticeship@mft.nhs.uk