Band 8a Lead Mammographer | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 14 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £61,631 - £68,623 per annum including HCAS |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 13 February 2026 |
| Location: | London, N18 1QX |
| Company: | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7592444/391-NMUH-7592444 |
Summary
The postholder will have senior operational responsibility for the organisation, management, and development of the mammography service as part of a multi-disciplinary team within Symptomatic Breast Imaging. They will work both as a clinical lead and an autonomous practitioner and will provide expert intervention for patients who require this service: clinical and managerial duties will be on a 50% to 50% split. Teaching and training both within NMUH and at the wider regional level is an integral part of the role. The postholder is expected to oversee the training of mammographers and students in all aspects of scanning, including comprehensive competency assessment. The postholder should be research active; able to represent the mammographic needs of patients at all levels of the organisation; promote the continuous improvement of service delivery and quality including productivity, service, and workforce transformation. The postholder must have extensive experience of working in Symptomatic Breast Imaging services including set-up of breast biopsy equipment; imaging of core biopsy and surgical excision; the use of tomosynthesis and the ability to assist in interventional procedures.
1. CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Perform mammograms, including mammography support for stereotactic procedures, and guidewires on a regular basis.
• Accountable for own professional actions and working within codes of conduct and professional practice.
• Work closely with radiologists to provide a high-quality service.
• Communicate effectively with challenging patient groups and those who may be physically and/or cognitively impaired, or those whose first language is not English.
• Deal sensitively with patients and carers under emotional stress, including the terminally ill and bereaved.
• Work alongside the consultant radiologist to tailor each examination to the individual patient, including decision making on the need of additional imaging.
• Physically position patients accurately for each examination, adapting techniques in accordance with the patient’s needs.
• Ensure the safe transfer of patients and equipment following manual handling guidelines and using relevant risk assessments.
• Operate advanced software on specialised radiological equipment requiring in-depth anatomical, pathological and technical knowledge, e.g., post processing of images using advanced software, tomosynthesis.
• Support the process to ensure that patient information leaflets are in place and up to date.
Refer to job description for full details of the role.
Our breast imaging service, at North Middlesex University Hospital, forms a vital part of the Trust’s cancer pathway, providing a symptomatic-only service. We deliver a fast-paced, patient-focused, and highly multidisciplinary service, closely integrated with surgical, oncology, and pathology colleagues.
The unit is equipped with a Hologic 3Dimensions mammography system, incorporating stereotactic biopsy capability, and we are in the process of introducing contrast-enhanced mammography to broaden our diagnostic portfolio.
We operate a five-day one-stop breast clinic, offering same-day assessment for patients. This includes mammography, ultrasound, additional diagnostic views. We also have capacity to perform interventional procedures such as stereotactic and ultrasound-guided biopsies, lesion localisation with guidewires, and specimen imaging. In addition to new symptomatic referrals, the service provides surveillance and follow-up imaging for patients with a history of breast disease.
Our breast radiographers play an advanced role within the service, with opportunities for specialist training in mammography, interventional assistance, and image reporting where service needs arise. They also contribute actively to multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings.
The service is known for its supportive, collaborative ethos, working in close partnership with breast surgeons, oncologists, breast care nurses, and pathologists to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.
1. CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Perform mammograms, including mammography support for stereotactic procedures, and guidewires on a regular basis.
• Accountable for own professional actions and working within codes of conduct and professional practice.
• Work closely with radiologists to provide a high-quality service.
• Communicate effectively with challenging patient groups and those who may be physically and/or cognitively impaired, or those whose first language is not English.
• Deal sensitively with patients and carers under emotional stress, including the terminally ill and bereaved.
• Work alongside the consultant radiologist to tailor each examination to the individual patient, including decision making on the need of additional imaging.
• Physically position patients accurately for each examination, adapting techniques in accordance with the patient’s needs.
• Ensure the safe transfer of patients and equipment following manual handling guidelines and using relevant risk assessments.
• Operate advanced software on specialised radiological equipment requiring in-depth anatomical, pathological and technical knowledge, e.g., post processing of images using advanced software, tomosynthesis.
• Responsible for the provision and maintenance of high professional standards for patients, visitors and staff.
• Responsible for measuring and monitoring patient experience surveys and taking action as required.
• Assess the needs of patients and plan the delivery of imaging and care around these needs within a specialist area.
• Support the process to ensure that patient information leaflets are in place and up to date.
• Apply in-depth knowledge of anatomy, pathology and equipment (scanners etc.) to determine appropriate imaging techniques in line with modality protocols for the individual patient’s condition.
• Be aware of Trust policy on the protection of vulnerable children and adults and know how to implement these if required.
• Complete advanced imaging, reporting and interventions in relation to symptomatic breast disease.
• Provide expert advice to colleagues regarding breast imaging techniques, image interpretation, and assessment, supporting clinical decision-making while working within the scope of imaging practice.
• Work collaboratively and negotiate with other professions in the imaging and management of complex cases.
• Act as the expert point of contact for symptomatic breast imaging, providing guidance on imaging techniques, quality, and workflow.
• Assist in the one-stop clinic for patients on a weekly basis, working alongside consultant radiologists and surgeons to perform mammograms for patients who are highly anxious where cancer must be ruled out or diagnosed.
• Assist with highly skilled, interventional invasive breast procedures, stereotactic core biopsy or VAB biopsy.
• Assist with ultrasound and stereotactic-guided wire and marker clip localisation prior to surgery.
• Handle and X-ray breast tissue specimens during core biopsies as well as surgical biopsy specimens which are brought to unit for imaging.
• Report on mammograms for elective patients.
• Communicate complex information about imaging procedures to a broad range of patients which involves navigating highly distressing circumstances that must be handled sensitively and supportively.
• Demonstrate clinical effectiveness using evidence-based practice to develop protocols in relation to breast imaging services.
• Be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of patients, use of equipment and all written documentation.
• Maintain own continuing professional development portfolio and keep abreast of research and development within service specialty.
• Participate in routine quality assurance of breast imaging equipment and procedures, ensuring high diagnostic standards and patient safety, and apply imaging protocols correctly, adapting techniques to meet individual patient needs.
• Quality assurance of breast imaging equipment and procedures, ensuring high diagnostic standards and patient safety.
• Identify, escalate, and document out-of-range results, imaging artefacts, or equipment issues, collaborating with radiologists and medical physics to resolve technical or clinical challenges.
• Ensure compliance with Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17) as well as quality assurance and undertake Radiation Protection Supervisor duties.
2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS
• Understand the Trust’s organisational structure, departmental protocols, and policies for delivering high-quality symptomatic breast imaging services, following guidance from the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR), NICE, and, where relevant, the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP).
• Exercise a high degree of personal and professional autonomy, making sound clinical judgements and critical decisions to safeguard patient welfare during diagnostic and interventional breast procedures.
• Work in accordance with professional and clinical standards, including NICE guidance, ensuring safe, effective, and patient-centred care specific to breast imaging.
3. RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
• Lead on the development, implementation, and review of local breast imaging policies, protocols, and standard operating procedures, ensuring alignment with national screening and symptomatic breast imaging guidance (e.g., NHSBSP, NICE, Royal College of Radiologists).
• Contribute to trust-wide and network-wide policy development, ensuring breast imaging services are safe, effective, and responsive to patient need.
• Identify service gaps or risks and propose evidence-based improvements to optimise patient pathways and outcomes.
• Lead on the introduction and evaluation of new techniques, technologies, and service models, ensuring they are embedded into clinical practice with appropriate governance and training.
• Actively participate in trust, regional, and national forums related to breast imaging and screening to influence policy, share best practice, and benchmark NMUH against peers.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and professional requirements (e.g., IR(ME)R, CQC, GDPR), updating local policies and training staff accordingly.
• Monitor the effectiveness of service changes and policies, incorporating audit, research, and patient feedback into continuous quality improvement.
• Support divisional and trust strategies (e.g., recovery and transformation, digital innovation, workforce sustainability) through service redesign and policy input.
4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES
• Lead the procurement process for new breast imaging equipment when existing machines reach end-of-life, ensuring service continuity and alignment with departmental needs.
• Monitor and manage service contracts, ensuring timely renewals, compliance with manufacturer requirements, and value for money.
• Engage in tender processes and liaise with procurement teams to evaluate vendor proposals and select appropriate equipment and services.
• Advise on the upgrades or replacement options based on clinical demand, technological advances, and patient safety considerations.
• Contribute to Divisional Business Plan.
• Supporting procurement in provision of clinical advice by reviewing quality of consumables used against best value for money, as required.
• Monitor and maintain adequate stock levels of consumables and supplies required for breast imaging procedures.
• Coordinate replenishment of stock to ensure interrupted service delivery, following budgetary and procurement guidelines.
• Review usage patterns and plan future stock requirements, supporting cost-effective and efficient resource management.
5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEADING AND MANAGING
• Assist the Radiology Management Team with the supervision, support, training and development of Radiographers, Radiographic Department Assistants and Assistant Radiographic Practitioners as required.
• Assist the Radiology Management Team with recruitment and selection of Radiographers, Radiographic Department Assistants and Assistant Radiographic Practitioners as required.
• Effective staff communication both within the Radiology Department and the wider Trust.
• Responsible for the safe use and maintenance of complex, high capital cost specialist imaging equipment.
• Perform the local induction of new/locum mammography staff.
• Operationally manage the day-to-day delivery of the service ensuring effective co-ordination and allocation of resources.
• Assist in the adaptation of the service to respond to short-term and long-term demands, training staff to ensure the daily workload is organised in line with clinical priorities, rearranging work lists in the event of incidents that may occur with no or little notice.
• Work closely with the radiologists and surgical team to provide a responsive and high-quality service ensuring that changes in service provision, patient requirements and clinical practice are recognised, planned for, implemented, and monitored.
• Lead on the staffing strategy and recruitment of mammographers to enable the provision of a robust, high-quality service.
• Manage the staff rosters, ensuring adequate service cover.
Refer to job description for full details of the role.
This advert closes on Wednesday 28 Jan 2026