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HECert Mammography

This programme is delivered by the Scottish Academy of Breast Imaging (SABI). SABI is part of the West of Scotland Screening Centre.

The Higher Education Certificate (HECert) in Mammography allows non-radiographic staff to work in the mammography service as Assistant Practitioners.  

Programme details

Title :  Higher Education Certificate in Mammography

:  7

Mode of delivery :  part-time blended, with workplace learning

Duration :  minimum 11 months; maximum 4 years

Language of delivery :  English

Approval

First approved:  March 2011

Most recent approval:  April 2022

External accreditation or recognition:  accredited by the Society and College of Radiographers

Programme structure

 

Module/Award options for Assistant Practitioners

 

 

Higher Education Certificate Mammography (January Start – 11 months duration)

 

Module

Credits

SCQF

Duration

 

Production of the X-Ray Image

 

20

7

January - April

 

Breast Anatomy and Disease

 

20

7

January - April

 

Mammography Practice for Assistant Practitioners**

 

40

7

January - December

 

Communication

 

20

7

May - August

 

Person-centredness in the Breast Care Service

 

20

7

May - August

 

Additional Module for Assistant Practitioners

 

Module

Credits

SCQF

 

Duration

 

 

Extended Practice for Assistant Practitioners in Mammography**

 

20

8

(Sept Start – 7 months duration)

 

Possible Awards:

HE Cert in Mammography: 120 credits at SCQF Level 7

 

             

 

**These optional modules require support from the workplace and access to an appropriate workplace setting

 

 

Key features

Placements: A central element of the Mammography Programmes is workplace learning. In order to ensure that the learner’s workplace learning is achievable the formal support of a Clinical Trainer from SABI when necessary as well as an appropriate workplace and Clinical Mentor is required. The workplace must be able to provide appropriate experiential learning in order that award and modular learning outcomes and can be achieved. This is normally the learner’s workplace. It is the responsibility of the learner to negotiate an appropriate workplace. 

Professional registration: n/a 

Key features: The programme engages a single cohort each academic year starting in January. The programme is delivered over 11 months on a part-time basis incorporating 5 short academic blocks in the months of January, March, April, May and July covering all taught elements of theoretical content of the programme. Workplace learning provides the essential mechanism by which these theoretical concepts are integrated within clinical practice. 

The initial element of the workplace learning experience for the HECert Mammography programme involves a Clinical Trainer delivering a week of one to one workplace training for learners at either the Breast Screening Centre in Glasgow or Edinburgh. The Clinical Trainer is a Mammographer directly employed by SABI who offers training and guidance focussing on mammographic technique, the care of the patient and the mammographic equipment relevant to the programme/module of study. This training is associated with the HECert Mammography through the ‘Mammography Practice for Assistant Practitioners’ module. 

Admission criteria

Entry requirements for the HECert Mammography is 2 passes at SQA Higher Level or equivalent and working in a clinical environment which supports the clinical element of the programme.