Scottish Academy of Breast Imaging

The PgCert Mammography delivered by the Scottish Academy of Breast Imaging is a 9 months blended course designed to allow HCPC or Coru Registered Radiographers to train as Mammographers. All the academic content is delivered by SABI via three online blocks and includes pre-recorded resources and live workshops. You will be offered a Clinical Training week in either Glasgow or Edinburgh where you will be assigned a Clinical Trainer for a full week of face-to-face clinical teaching. Your Clinical Trainer will also travel to your own department to carry out the assessments associated with the clinical modules.

You will also require a Work-place Mentor who will support your learning throughout the course.

Each 20 credit module reflects 200 hours of learning and you will need support to carry out a minimum of 20 Mammograms per week throughout the course.

The PgCert Mammography runs three times a years and you can apply to register in March, August or November

The three modules you will need to complete to be eligible for the PgCert Mammography award are as follows:

• Mammography and Person-centred Care (RM097) 20 Credits: This module aims to provide the learner with the theoretical and practical base to develop a high level of expertise in mammography and person-centred care.
• Mammography Practice-based Learning (RM098) 20 Credits: This module aims to encourage the learner to develop as a competent reflective practitioner within breast imaging integrating theory and practice associated with MLO and CC projections.
• Advanced Mammography Skills (RM099) 20 Credits: This module aims to encourage the learner to develop as a competent reflective practitioner within breast imaging integrating theory and practice associated with advanced mammographic projections.

All advanced practice modules delivered at the Scottish Academy of Breast Imaging require a Work-place Mentor who will support your learning throughout the module as well as carry out the clinical assessments.

• PgCert Breast Ultrasound 60 Credits: This CASE Accredited 60 credit award consist of three 20 Credit modules. You can opt to complete the whole PgCert Breast Ultrasound to complete modules as CPD if you have the module prerequisites. Contact SABI for more information.
  • Physics and Instrumentation of Ultrasound (RM087) 20 Credits: This module starts in September and is taught face-to-face over five days at the Royal Edinburgh Infirmary enabling healthcare practitioners to learn about and critically evaluate the scientific and technological principles of ultrasound and the appropriateness of using ultrasound within medical imaging.
  • Breast Ultrasound (RM088) 20 Credits: This fully online module starts in January and will enable healthcare practitioners to understand the theoretical principles of breast ultrasound and be able to competently and safely practice ultrasound imaging of the breast and produce diagnostic clinical reports.
  • Ultrasound Guided Breast Interventional Procedures (RM089) 20 Credits: This module starts in June and is taught face-to-face over four days at the SABI providing the healthcare practitioner with the appropriate knowledge and skills to develop a high level of expertise in ultrasound guided interventional procedures of the breast and to perform effective and safe ultrasound guided biopsy procedures.
• X-ray Guided Interventional Breast Procedures (RM095) 20 Credits: This module starts in June and is taught face-to-face over four days at the SABI providing healthcare practitioners with the appropriate knowledge and skills to develop a high level of expertise in stereo x-ray guided interventional procedures of the breast. 
• Clinical Breast Examination and Communication (RM096) 20 Credits: This module starts in November and is taught face-to-face over four days at the SABI providing the healthcare practitioners with the appropriate knowledge and skills to develop a high level of expertise in Clinical Breast Examination and demonstrate, with sound theoretical knowledge, effective communication and counselling skills.
• Mammographic Image Interpretation (RM100) 40 Credits: This module starts in March and is taught face-to-face over four days at the SABI providing the healthcare practitioners with the appropriate knowledge and skills to develop a high level of expertise in mammographic image interpretation, thus enabling the autonomous practitioner to participate in the diagnosis, reporting and assessment of breast disease. 

The Higher Education Certificate in Mammography a 12 month blended course designed to allow non-registered staff to train as Assistant Practitioner Mammographers. All the academic content is delivered by SABI via five online blocks and includes pre-recorded resources and live workshops. You will be offered a Clinical Training week in either Glasgow or Edinburgh where you will be assigned a Clinical Trainer for a full week of face-to-face clinical teaching. Your Clinical Trainer will also travel to your own department to carry out the assessments associated with the clinical module.

You will also require a Work-place Mentor who will support your learning throughout the course.

Each 20 credit module reflects 200 hours of learning and you will need support to carry out a minimum of 20 Mammograms per week throughout the course.

The HECert Mammography starts in January each year.

The five modules you will need to complete to be eligible for the HECert Mammography award are as follows:

• Production of the X-ray Image (R1052) 20 Credits: This module will develop knowledge of the physical principles involved in x-ray production and the fundamental principles involved in image production as well as developing an awareness of the hazards of radiation, the principles of radiation safety and radiation protection legislation.
• Breast Anatomy and Disease (R1053) 20 Credits: This module is designed to equip the learner with knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the breast as well as common breast pathologies and associated treatment options.
• Communication (R1054) 20 Credits: This module will allow the learner to develop effective strategies of communication with clients, patients, relatives, carers and all members of the health care team they encounter.
• Person-centredness in the Breast Care Service (R1055) 20 Credits: This module is designed to enable learners to gain an awareness of person-centred approaches to healthcare delivery focussing on practices and protocols necessary to maintain optimal standards of care.
• Mammography Practice for Assistant Practitioners (R1056) 40 Credits: This work-based module will enable the learner to develop organisational skills prior to the imaging procedure in order to acquire routine mammographic projections to comply with National Standards whilst demonstrating appropriate client/patient care and reflective practice.

Extended Practice for Assistant Practitioners in Mammography (R1051) 20 Credits: This standalone module is designed for Assistant Practitioners in Mammography (Mammography Associates) who wish to develop their clinical skills and extend their scope of practice. The aim is to provide the learner with a range of skills to develop their clinical knowledge and technique of additional mammography views within assessment clinic including mag and coned views, the augmented breast, implantable devices and post clip imaging.

All the academic content is delivered by SABI during a single online block and includes pre-recorded resources and live workshops. You will be offered a Clinical Training week in either Glasgow or Edinburgh where you will be assigned a Clinical Trainer for half a week of face-to-face clinical teaching. Your Clinical Trainer will also travel to your own department to carry out the assessments associated with this clinical module.

The module starts in May and lasts for 7 months.

A variety of study options are available to you if you wish to complete the PgDip Mammography (120 Credits) or the full MSc Mammography (180 Credits). You can select from the clinical modules offered directly by SABI or options focussing on the other pillars of practice delivered by QMU:

• Education
• Leadership
• Research Methods
• Dissertation

You have a maximum of 7 years to complete the full MSc. If you have previous appropriate academic credits from SABI/QMU and are unsure if you can include them within you MSc then please contact SABI.

If you have studied modules at other Universities you may be able to use these academic credits towards your MSc. If you are unsure whether you can include them within you MSc then please contact SABI.

For general information on your module options and how they might link to the academic credits you already have please contact SABI.

Face-to-Face clinical training is offered to all students on the PgCert Mammography (1 week), HECert Mammography (1 week) or extended Practice for Assistant Practitioners in Mammography module (half a week). This is delivered by a designated SABI Clinical Trainer in either Glasgow or Edinburgh. The dates for your clinical training week and your named Clinical Trainer will be assigned to you when you apply for the course. Your Clinical Trainer will work with you throughout the course and be your point of contact if you have any difficulties. They will also arrange the dates for your clinical assessments which will be done on mutually convenient dates and in discussion with your line manager and mentor.

The Clinical Training week in Glasgow is at the West of Scotland Breast Screening Centre which is situated on Nelson Mandela Place in next to Queen Street Train Station in Glasgow City Centre. There are 5 Clinical Trainers who work at this centre; Claire, Isabelle, Christine, Kayleigh and Samantha

The Clinical Training week in Edinburgh is at the South East Scotland Breast Screening Centre which is situated at Ardmillan House near Haymarket Train Station in Edinburgh City Centre. There are 3 Clinical Trainers who work at this centre; Alyson, Zoe and Laura.

For all modules which have a clinical element, you will be expected to have a Workplace Mentor. This is someone who will be selected by your Line Manager to support your learning throughout the duration of the course. They may also be required to carry out clinical assessments depending on the modules you are registered on.

Your Workplace Mentor will have a number of roles and responsibilities to ensure you are supported throughout your studies but differ slightly depending on which course you are registered on. In general, these include being available for the duration of the course, ensure you have the necessary departmental clinical time and resources to successfully complete the course as well as provide formal and informal feedback to fulfil module requirements. These points will be agreed with your Workplace Mentor at the beginning of your studies

The roles and responsibilities of a Workplace Mentor is dependant on the course, and therefore specific online training is offered for all individuals embarking on Workplace Mentorship. Firstly, the Workplace Mentor will be given access to some online resources to review. This is followed by an hour long online session delivered via MSTeams where the SABI Lead covers the expectations, documentation and assessment associated with the module(s). A CPD certificate will be given for all individuals who attend the online mentor training.

For information regarding the expectations of a Workplace Mentor please contact SABI

SABI offers Clinical Updates which are facilitated by the Clinical Training Team. These are bespoke and can be arranged for individuals or departments depending on need.

If you have a member of staff who has a consistency high Technical Recall rate for instance, SABI can put a package involving one-to-one training. These Clinical Updates tend to run at the Glasgow or Edinburgh Breast Screening Centres.

If you simply would like an informative Clinical Update for your department, then again SABI can put a package together but the Clinical Trainers will come to you for these.

For costs and how to organise a clinical update please contact Maureen McAuley at SABI

To apply for the PgCert Mammography you will need a degree or diploma in Diagnostic Radiography or Therapeutic Radiography with HCPC/Coru registration and current employment in a clinical environment offering mammography experience.

To apply for the HECert Mammography you will need 2 passes at SQA Higher Level or equivalent and working in a clinical environment offering mammography experience.

To apply for the PgCert Breast Ultrasound, applicants must be a healthcare practitioner currently employed in a clinical environment offering breast ultrasound experience to study the workplace modules and have with the support of a line manager and workplace mentor.

To apply for the Advanced Practice Clinical Modules, applicants must be a healthcare practitioner currently employed in a clinical environment offering relevant experience to study the workplace modules and have with the support of a line manager and workplace mentor. Please contact Maureen McAuley at SABI to discuss entry requirements.

To apply for MSc modules through QMU such as Research Methods or Dissertation please contact Simon Holmes to discuss options. and entry requirements.

You may be granted exemption from studying a module, provided you can demonstrate successful achievement of all the learning outcomes. Please contact Simon Holmes to discuss options.

If English is not your first language then you will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at IELTS 7 (no less than 6.5 in any element) or equivalent. 

The Scottish Academy of Breast Imaging is based at the West of Scotland Breast Screening Centre in Glasgow:

Stock Exchange Court,
77 Nelson Mandela Place,
Glasgow,
G2 1QT

If you are applying for the clinical courses run by SABI then contact Maureen McAuley who will send you an application form as well as general information about the course you wish to apply for: Maureen.McAuley@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Contact Maureen McAuley for information regarding course fees: Maureen.McAuley@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

If you are unsure and want to discuss options then please contact Simon Holmes simon.holmes@ggc.scot.nhs.uk