In this section
Provider
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) offer the Mammography Associate Apprenticeship programme through their main provider contract. Specialist mammography skills, knowledge and expertise are provided to this programme by the National Breast Imaging Academy (NBIA). The programme is ran for both internal and external apprentices’, with delivery of the academic component of the course being delivered at the MFT site, but the majority of your clinical training will take place with your employer.
Registering interest in an apprenticeship
To be accepted onto the apprenticeship programme apprentices first need to secure a position as a mammography associate apprentice with an NHS Trust and have approval from the apprenticeship team at their employing Trust. We recommend you seek clarification on the process from the apprenticeship team at your local Trust, as this may vary from site to site.
Qualifications required
No qualifications are required to begin the apprenticeship. However, apprentices must have level 2 maths and English in order to progress to the end point assessment (EPA). Level 2 English and maths functional skills are equivalent to GCSE grade A-C in maths and English. BTEC qualifications in other subjects are not equivalent to ‘pure’ maths and English qualifications. Learners without level 2 maths and English will be enrolled on Functional Skills whilst on programme by the provider, through a suitable college in their local area. This is at no additional cost to the employer or learner.
Accessing the Apprenticeship Levy
The apprenticeship levy is accessed via the Digital Apprenticeship Service. The process of starting a learner on this is below:
- Employer registers for a Digital Apprenticeship Service account (if they do not already have one)
- Employer adds apprentice details (Name, DOB, start date, end date, programme, cost) and sends a training request to their chosen provider (MFT).
- Provider confirms request by adding the learner’s unique learner number (ULN).
- Training is live and funding will begin being drawn down on a monthly basis. All funding goes to the provider (MFT).
Mentors
It is each employer’s responsibility to ensure that their apprentice has a mentor. Mentorship training/qualifications are not essential but preferable.
Employer Responsibilities:
- Offer the apprentice appropriate on the job experiences to allow completion of apprenticeship
- Offer the apprentice work under suitable supervision and provide access to mentorship
- Allow the apprentice to undertake 20% of training off the job and that it is undertaken during work time
- Confirmation that the apprentice will be allowed to complete the apprenticeship within their working hours, including any English and maths required
- Follow the planned content and schedule for eligible training
- Commit to pay the apprentice for the duration of their employment in line with the contract of employment.
- Commit to working with the apprentice and the Provider to provide the apprentice with the best possible apprenticeship experience.
- Commit to attend 10 – 12 weekly virtual progress reviews along with your apprentice.
- Commit to complete Formative Image Assessments with the apprentice every 100 mammograms.
Timescales
The mammography associate apprenticeship is a 12 month fulltime apprenticeship and funding is for a fulltime 12 month period (372 days – 12 months + 1 week to be precise!).
If an apprentice works less than fulltime the apprenticeship duration must be extended accordingly.
For example: an apprentice who works 4 days will take 65 weeks, not 53 to complete the apprenticeship:
- 53 weeks x 37.5/30 hours (weekly hours) = new minimum duration of apprenticeship
- 53 weeks x 37.5/30 hours (weekly hours) = 66 weeks
The apprenticeship will also be extended by 12 weeks (again adjusted for part-time workers) to add flexibility for those that need it, but this does not have to be utilised.
20% off-the-job-learning
All apprenticeships must provide 20% off-the-job learning. It is the employers’ responsibility to ensure that the apprentice is allocated this time. It is the provider’s responsibility to set out the expectations of how the learner’s off the job time will be spent, in order to get them ready for gateway and completion.
Clinical Placement
Placements will be at the Nightingale Centre. Each clinical day will run from 8:45am -5:00pm. We anticipate a 2-day clinical placement within the first few months of the apprenticeship, followed by a 1-day clinical placement half way through the apprenticeship.
Study Sessions
There will be seven study sessions throughout the first 12 months of the apprenticeship. Three of these will take place at The Nightingale Centre 10am – 4pm. The remaining four will take place virtually 10am – 12pm.
Apprentice Initial Assessment
Date: w/c 9th September 2024
Time: TBC
Location: Virtual Delivery
Mentor & Apprentice Pre-theory Engagement Session
Date: Friday 13th September 2024
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Virtual Delivery
Apprentice Academic Study Days
Date: Tuesday 17th September 2024
Time: 9am – 5pm
Location: The Nightingale Centre, Manchester
Date: Wednesday 18th September 2024
Time: 9am – 5pm
Location: The Nightingale Centre, Manchester
Date: Thursday 19th September 2024
Time: 9am – 3:30pm
Location: The Nightingale Centre, Manchester
Date: Friday 20th September 2024
Time: 9am – 3pm
Location: Virtual Delivery
** Please note it is mandatory that all of the above are attended.
Expenses
Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs are not funded through the apprenticeship levy. These costs must be met by the apprentices’ employers.
Identity and qualification check
A representative from the apprentice’s employer will need to photocopy each document provided and sign and date these copies to verify they have seen the originals and then scan all the copies and forward in an email from the employer to our team – confirming who has seen and signed for the originals; their job title and association to the learner (e.g. line manager, apprenticeship lead or HR rep).
Documents to be checked:
- Passport (or other recognised photo ID such as driving license)
- Proof of address (driving license, utility bill)
- National Insurance Number
- Immigration permission / residency documentation if applicable
- Marriage certificate if applicable
- Certificates for all qualifications documented in application form
Contacts
If you have any further queries please contact Jayne Snape, Programme Support Manager or Lyndsay Kinnear, Mammography Training & Education Lead:
jayne.snape@mft.nhs.uk 0161 291 4469
lyndsay.kinnear@mft.nhs.uk 0161 291 4469
