F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
About this Unit
This Unit is concerned with the preparation and positioning of the woman and the application
of compression for radiographic imaging of the breasts. The Unit is also concerned with the
preparation of the radiographic equipment and performance checks for basic breast imaging
and for initiating the correct exposure. The imaging is undertaken to screen for breast cancer.
Basic radiographic images of the breast are medio-lateral oblique and cranio-caudal
mammograms. These are taken of eligible women as part of a regular screening programme.
Women are invited to attend for the procedure and no pre-preparation is required
The role defined by this Unit includes the production of diagnostic mammograms through the
accurate positioning of the woman, the use of radiographic equipment, safe delivery of
radiation and the restoration of the equipment to its standby state.
Scope
The scope is here to give you guidance on possible areas to be covered in this Unit. The terms
in this section give you a list of options linked with items in the performance criteria. You
need to provide evidence for any option related to your work area.
Artefacts including:

foreign bodies

fingers

other breast
Checks including:

physical and mechanical checks on all equipment to be used

variation in day to day performance e.g. alteration in mAs, variations in image density
Equipment malfunction including

error codes

compression malfunction

failure to expose

image handling errors
External abnormalities - as defined in local guidelines and protocols
Image handling and identification devices including:

film processors

loaders and unloaders

patient identification equipment
Unit: F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
1
F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
Information relevant to the procedure includes:

eligibility criteria

details of lumps, previous breast surgery, breast implants
Legends - both integral and additional
Location - static and mobile competences
Number of views - in relation to medico-lateral oblique and cranio-caudal
Woman - all eligible women, including those with special needs, psychological or emotional
stress, physical disabilities and for whom English is not their first language
Unit: F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
2
F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
SPECIFIC EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS UNIT
Simulation:
 Simulation is NOT permitted for any part of this unit.
The following forms of evidence ARE mandatory:
 Direct observation: Your assessor must observe you in real work activities which
provide a significant amount of the performance criteria for most elements in this
unit. For example how you communicate with the woman to ensure that she is relaxed
and to gain the information required, the steps you would take to ensure all the
required safety procedures are followed.
 Reflective Accounts/professional discussion: These are recordings of your real
work practice, which show your understanding of the principles and process of image
collection and how you ensure that the image is checked and verified. You will need
to describe and explain the methods you use to gain information record it and verify
its accuracy. You should also explain how you would support a woman who is
distressed.
Competence of performance and knowledge could also be demonstrated using a variety
of evidence from the following:
 Questioning/professional discussion: May be used to provide evidence of
knowledge, legislation, policies and procedures which cannot be fully evidenced
through direct observation or reflective accounts. In addition the assessor or expert
witness may also ask questions to clarify aspects of your practice.
 Expert Witness testimony: Can be a confirmation/authentication of the activities
described in your evidence which your assessor has not seen. This could be provided
by a work colleague or an external individual you deal with on a regular basis.
 Products: For this unit, products may include records and reports related to the
treatment of an individual. You need not put confidential records in your portfolio;
they can remain where they are normally stored and be checked by your assessor and
internal verifier. If you do include them in your portfolio they should be anonymised
to ensure confidentiality
 Assignments/projects: you may have studied some anatomy or health and safety
related to your job role. You may have completed some formally assessed work as
part of an in service or external course, this may provide evidence of some parts of
the knowledge and understanding which your assessor can use.
GENERAL GUIDANCE




Prior to commencing this unit you should agree and complete an assessment plan with
your assessor which details the assessment methods you will be using, and the tasks
you will be undertaking to demonstrate your competence.
Evidence must be provided for ALL of the performance criteria, ALL of the
knowledge and the parts of the scope that are relevant to your job role.
The evidence must reflect the policies and procedures of your workplace and be
linked to current legislation, values and the principles of best practice within the
Health Sector. This will include the National Service Standards for your areas of
work and the individuals you care for.
All evidence must relate to your own work practice.
Unit: F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
3
F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
KNOWLEDGE SPECIFICATION FOR THIS UNIT
Competent practice is a combination of the application of skills and knowledge informed by
values and ethics. This specification details the knowledge and understanding required to
carry out competent practice in the performance described in this Unit.
When using this specification it is important to read the knowledge requirements in
relation to expectations and requirements of your job role.
You need to provide evidence for ALL knowledge points listed below. There are a
variety of ways this can be achieved so it is essential that you read the ‘knowledge
evidence’ section of the Assessment Guidance.
You need to show that you know, understand and can apply in
practice:
Legislation, policy and good practice
Enter Evidence
Numbers
1. A knowledge and understanding of the purpose of the NHS Breast
Screening and Quality Assurance programmes
2. A knowledge and understanding of the Health and Safety at Work Act
and the need for compliance with local and national protocols
3. A knowledge and understanding of Control of Substances Hazardous
to Health and the need for compliance with local and national
protocols
4. A knowledge and understanding of the risks of ignoring local manual
handling policies and procedures
5. A knowledge and understanding of current legislation governing the
use of ionising radiation and of the responsibilities as defined in the
legislation
6. A knowledge and understanding of basic radiation physics and x-ray
imaging
7. A knowledge and understanding of basic anatomy and physiology of
the breast and related structures
8. A knowledge and understanding of ergonomics – awareness of one’s
own body posture and working practices
9. An understanding of the importance of and the need to comply with
the local and national criteria for eligibility for breast screening
10. A knowledge and understanding of the NHS BSP radiographic
standards for the production of the perfect mammogram and the need
for compliance
11. An understanding of the importance of reviewing one’s own work in
relation to current National Standards and using this to continuously
improve one’s own practice
Care and support of the individual
1. An understanding of the need for the woman’s compliance throughout
the procedure and knowledge of the factors which might influence
that compliance
Unit: F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
4
F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
You need to show that you know, understand and can apply in
practice:
2. An appreciation of the various ways in which distress and discomfort
may be presented and identified and an understanding of the strategies
for handling these
Enter Evidence
Numbers
3. A knowledge and understanding of the need to minimise the radiation
dosage received by the woman
Equipment and materials
1. An understanding that the responsibility for confirming equipment is
in good working order rests with the user
2. A knowledge and understanding of the functions, specifications and
performance characteristics of mammography machines in the
competence
3. A knowledge and understanding of the functions, specifications and
performance characteristics of the local image handling devices
4. A knowledge of Identification markers
5. A knowledge of the types of legends available in the competence and
an understanding of the importance of complying with the local
protocols for their use
6. A knowledge and understanding of the importance of maintaining
clean mammography equipment and the importance of following local
protocols
Techniques and procedures
1. A knowledge and understanding of the features of mammographic
images, cassettes and screens and the imaging process.
2. A knowledge and understanding of the importance of reporting faults
and malfunctions promptly and the correct procedures for reporting
these
3. An understanding of the importance of compliance with the legal and
organisational requirements for imparting information relating to the
procedure
4. A knowledge of what creates artefacts on images and the importance
of avoiding their presence
5. A knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence the
exposure setting
6. A knowledge of the result reporting procedures and the importance of
giving timely and accurate information to the woman
7. A knowledge of the local procedures for checking mammography
equipment and image handling devices and an understanding of the
importance of undertaking these on a regular basis
8. A knowledge of techniques to optimise positioning of the breast to
overcome physical constraints
9. A knowledge of normal and abnormal breast’s physical appearance
10. A knowledge of basic signs and symptoms of breast cancer
Unit: F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
5
F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
You need to show that you know, understand and can apply in
practice:
Records and documentation
Enter Evidence
Numbers
1. A knowledge of where and how to access previous records and images
and how to add further information
2. A knowledge and understanding of relevant information which should
be sought and recorded
3. An understanding of the importance of accurate labelling according to
local protocols
4. A knowledge of how images should be correctly displayed
Unit: F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
6
F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
Performance criteria
DO
RA
EW
Q
P
WT
1. clean the mammography machine with
suitable cleansing agents prior to use each
day and after each client examination
2. check the mammography machine for safety
and optimal performance before use
3. check the image handling and patient
identification devices for safety and optimal
performance before use
4. check the cassettes and screens for damage
and cleanliness before use
5. perform all additional equipment checks
required by nhs bsp qa according to local
guidelines
6. report any faults which are identified
promptly to the appropriate person(s) and
document this appropriately
7. recognise where help and/or advice is
required and seek it from appropriate
sources
8. view previous records and mammograms
relating to the woman where available, and
use the information obtained to guide and
make adjustments to the imaging procedure
9. receive the woman and explain the
procedure in a manner which encourages the
woman to relax and co-operate with the
requirements of the procedure
10. confirm the woman’s personal details,
obtain all information relevant to the
procedure, and accurately record and act
upon it according to local protocols
11. make an assessment of the woman’s
emotional state and respond to it
appropriately
12. request the woman to undress for the
procedure in an appropriate manner
13. observe and record obvious external
abnormalities of the breasts
14. use all available information to position the
women for the procedure with the minimum
of discomfort and to achieve optimal images
DO = Direct Observation
EW = Expert Witness
RA = Reflective Account
P = Product (Work)
Q = Questions
WT = Witness Testimony
Unit: F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
7
F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
Performance criteria
DO
RA
EW
Q
P
WT
15. recognise compliance with the procedure
and take appropriate action if consent is
withdrawn at any time
16. recognise where help and/or advice and seek
it from appropriate sources
17. advise the woman of the result reporting
procedure and give any necessary additional
information
18. answer any questions accurately and
honestly or refer appropriately if outside
your terms of reference
19. make an assessment of the woman and
cassettes of an appropriate size and number
are selected
20. adjust the mammography competence when
required to accommodate the cassette size
selected
21. adjust the angulation of tube to ensure
maximum coverage of breast tissue
22. select the appropriate exposure factors if
required
23. position the correct legends to accurately
record on the images which breast is being
imaged together with any additional legends
required by local protocols
24. position and compress the woman’s breast
properly to ensure the whole breast is
included and no potential artefacts are
present
25. determine the number of views according to
local and national guidelines
26. determine the number of images required to
optimise breast
27. recognise where help and/or advice is
required and seek it from appropriate
sources
28. make appropriate exposures using all
available information, in compliance with
current legislation governing the use of
ionising radiation and local rules
29. label the images correctly and permanently
with woman’s identification before
processing or storage
DO = Direct Observation
EW = Expert Witness
RA = Reflective Account
P = Product (Work)
Q = Questions
WT = Witness Testimony
Unit: F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
8
F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
Performance criteria
DO
RA
EW
Q
P
WT
30. recognise any distress or discomfort and
acted upon it appropriately
31. recognise where equipment malfunctions
and acted upon it appropriately
32. check the images for diagnostic quality
where possible and make a decision to
repeat the images if necessary
33. take opportunities to review images and use
this to evaluate own practice and improve
performance
DO = Direct Observation
EW = Expert Witness
RA = Reflective Account
P = Product (Work)
Q = Questions
WT = Witness Testimony
Unit: F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
9
F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
To be completed by the Candidate
I SUBMIT THIS AS A COMPLETE UNIT
Candidate’s name: ……………………………………………
Candidate’s signature: ………………………………………..
Date: …………………………………………………………..
To be completed by the Assessor
It is a shared responsibility of both the candidate and assessor to claim evidence, however, it
is the responsibility of the assessor to ensure the accuracy/validity of each evidence claim and
make the final decision.
I CERTIFY THAT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO MEET
ALL THE ELEMENTS, PCS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THIS UNIT.
Assessor’s name: …………………………………………….
Assessor’s signature: ………………………………………....
Date: …………………………………………………………..
Assessor/Internal Verifier Feedback
To be completed by the Internal Verifier if applicable
This section only needs to be completed if the Unit is sampled by the Internal Verifier
Internal Verifier’s name: ……………………………………………
Internal Verifier’s signature: ………………………………………..
Date: ……………………………………..…………………………..
Unit: F06L 04 (M2.0) Position woman and produce basic radiographic images of the breast
10