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Page last updated 08 Sept, 2023
Assistant Practitioner and Mammography Associate CoR Accreditation is now live!
The College of Radiographers has launched its revised and updated accreditation scheme for assistant practitioners and mammography associates. Changes to the scheme reflect the evolving scope of practice of members of the support workforce and educational developments including the publication of the CoR Education and Career Framework for the Radiography Workforce (4th Ed).
Accreditation
The College of Radiographers has developed a process of accreditation for individuals practising as mammography associates or assistant practitioners in clinical (diagnostic) imaging, radiotherapy, breast screening and other areas of practice, including the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening programme.
The Society and College of Radiographers, in upholding its duty to the public, has implemented a Public Voluntary Register of Accredited Assistant Practitioners (PVRAAP).
Assistant practitioners and mammography associates can apply for accreditation of their scope of practice on the basis of having successfully completed a College of Radiographers (CoR) approved course of education and training or by the submission of CPD evidence via CPD Now having completed a CoR non-approved course.
The PVRAAP, along with the accreditation process, has been developed to ensure that those engaged in clinical imaging or radiotherapy have been appropriately educated and trained for their role and are engaging in continuing professional development.
Why should I apply for accreditation?
It is important that your qualifications, knowledge, experience and practical skills are recognised by colleagues and service users. There is growing emphasis on the need for healthcare practitioners to have clear evidence of their skills and competence. Accreditation by the professional body can provide this assurance.
Once CoR accreditation is awarded, re-accreditation every two years provides a way for mammography associates and assistant practitioners to demonstrate how they have been maintaining their knowledge and skills relevant to their scope of practice.
Successful applicants will also be eligible for cover of their accredited scope of practice under the SoR Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme.
Application process
Applications for CoR accreditation as an assistant practitioner or mammography associate can be made through CPD Now. Under the revised accreditation scheme there will be three overarching pathways for initial accreditation:
Please note the 'level' refers to the academic level of qualification obtained (e.g. FHEQ Level). It does not mean Agenda For Change pay banding.
- Mammography Associate Level 4 pathway
- Assistant Practitioner Level 4 pathway
- Assistant Practitioner Level 5 pathway
Which pathway you choose firstly depends on your role- either a mammography associate or assistant practitioner. All mammography associates holding an FHEQ level 4 mammography associate qualification should apply via the mammography associate pathway. Assistant practitioners should apply via one of the other routes depending on the level of qualification held (either an FHEQ Level 4 or 5 qualification).
| Accreditation Pathways | FHEQ Level 4 | FHEQ Level 4 | FHEQ Level 5 |
Help with determining the level of your qualification is available within the applicant guidance document available at the bottom of the page beneath 'Applicant Guidance'.
Alternatively, you can watch this short introductory video which explains the purpose of the accreditation, how to apply, and the various application pathways and routes available.
Why have new application pathways been added?
The addition of the mammography associate pathway and FHEQ level 5 pathway for assistant practitioners is to ensure the accreditation scheme’s alignment with the CoR’s Education and Career Framework (ECF) (2022).These additional pathways have their own specific learning outcomes as taken from the ECF and other national guidance documents.They encourage and support the development of the support workforce up to FHEQ level 5 and beyond should individuals wish to do so. They also encourage programme approval which helps to ensure the quality and standard of education and training for the radiography support workforce.
Under each pathway two application routes exist for initialaccreditation:
- CoR approved qualification route
- CoR Non-approved qualification route
| Accreditation Pathway | FHEQ Level 4 Mammography Associate Accreditation | FHEQ Level 4 Assistant Practioner Accreditation | FHEQ Level 5 Assistant Practioner Accreditation |
| Application Route | CoR Approved level 4 mammography associate qualification | CoR Approved level 4 AP qualification | CoR Approved level 5 AP qualification |
CoR Non-approved level 4 mammography associate qualification | CoR Non-approved level 4 AP qualification | CoR Non-approved level 5 AP qualification |
If you are unsure whether or not your course is approved, please contact the education provider.
CoR Approved Qualification Routes
The CoR approved routes across all three of the overarching pathways are for those who have completed a CoR approved programme of study in relation to their role within the last 3 years.
These are fast-track routes and require applicants to:
Complete their role details and upload their agreed written scope of practice.
- Select their qualification (choose from the list of approved programmes available) and upload their certificate.
- Invite their manager or practice educator to complete the declaration.
- Submit application.
CoR Non-approved Qualification Routes
The CoR non-approved qualification routes across all three of the overarching pathways are for those who have completed a programme of study in relation to their role within the last 3 years which does not hold CoR programme approval.
These routes require applicants to:
- Complete their role details and upload their agreed written scope of practice
- Enter details of their qualification and upload their certificate
- Complete the critical narrative (which is a written reflection), evidencing how they meet all the learning outcomes associated with their chosen pathway, supported by a minimum of 6 pieces of verified CPD (from the last two years).
- Invite their manager or practice educator to complete the declaration.
- Submit application.
How applications are assessed
Non-approved qualification applications and re-accreditation applications are assessed by independent CoR Assessors. These are experienced members of the radiography workforce who have knowledge of your area of practice and who have been trained to act as assessors on behalf of the CoR.
Applications following a CoR approved qualification route are verified by the College’s Professional Officers for Education and Accreditation.
Re-accreditation
Once awarded assistant practitioner and mammography associate accreditation lasts for two years after which the individual must apply for re-accreditation.
Applicants will be able to begin working on their re-accreditation application once their current accreditation has been awarded.
Applicants will only be accredited for the scope of practice which has been assessed by the CoR assessor.
If your scope of practice changes you will need to apply for re-accreditation for your new scope of practice. If we are not informed of changes when they occur, you may not be covered by our professional indemnity insurance scheme.
For re-accreditation applicants will be asked to:
- Complete their role details and upload their agreed written scope of practice.
- Enter details of their qualification(s), including further learning since accreditation was last awarded, and upload any relevant certificate(s).
- Complete the critical narrative, evidencing how they meet all the learning outcomes associated with their chosen pathway, supported by a minimum of 6 pieces of verified CPD (from the last two years).
- Invite their manager or practice educator to complete the declaration.
- Submit application.
Currently Accredited Assistant Practitioners
When assistant practitioners who currently hold CoR accreditation are due to re-accredit they will be automatically directed to their correct re-accreditation pathway when they log into the system. .
Those holding an FHEQ Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) will be automatically directed to re-accredit under the Assistant Practitioner Level 5 pathway.
Those holding an FHEQ Level 4 qualification or equivalent, as well as all others, will be automatically directed to re-accredit under the Assistant Practitioner Level 4 pathway.
Full details of the learning outcomes for all pathways will be available within the applicant guidance which will be made available for launch of the schemes.
Current members of the Society of Radiographers
There is no accreditation fee for members of the Society of Radiographers. Accreditation, CPD Now and support through the accreditation process are provided as a benefit of membership.
The professional indemnity insurance arrangements for radiographic assistants are not sufficient to cover the range of practice and clinical responsibilities of assistant practitioners.
Non-members should contact our membership team for further details.
Considering joining the Society of Radiographers?
If you join the Society of Radiographers you will have to achieve accreditation before you can be given accredited assistant practitioner membership status. You will join as a ‘radiographic assistant’ until you achieve accreditation.
Once accreditation is achieved as an Assistant Practitioner or Mammography Associate, if the membership is cancelled you will no longer be covered by the Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) or other membership benefits such as professional and trade union guidance, advice and support. If you rejoin during your accreditation period, you will be eligible to remain accredited for the remainder of that accreditation period, and receive the benefits offered within this membership category.
You can find information about joining the Society of Radiographers here.
Resourceful Links:
Assistant Practitioner and Mammography Associate Applicant guidance
Application Guidance:
Outcome Mapping documents: Applicants may use the relevant outcome mapping document to keep track of coverage of the learning outcomes within their CPD records.
Reflection Tools: Applicants may use the relevant reflection tool below to help them reflect on how they have met the learning outcomes for accreditation and identify which outcomes need further evidence.
Assessor guidance:
Assessor Feedback Forms: