Associate Practitioner - Point of Care Testing POCT

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The list of duties as described by the POCT Manager will include:

Technical/scientific: Participate in the operation, routine maintenance and troubleshooting of POCT analysers/devices, including maintaining appropriate records and documentation. Provide a technical service and support mechanism for clinical users of POCT equipment; Perform or Assist other Trust users with Quality Assurance Testing (Maintenance, Calibration, IQC and EQA) on POCT analysers/devices. Examine quality assurance procedures i.e. internal quality control external quality assurance results to identify poor performance and report findings to senior staff. Work to standard operating procedures. Use scientific knowledge to recognise incorrect results and take action to correct errors. Be able to perform POCT tests requiring a high degree of manual dexterity. Assist with the development of new methods and the implementation of new technology. Assist with the development of new methods and the implementation of new technology. Perform or Assist with Training and Competency of POCT users.

Equipment maintenance: Responsible for monitoring and performing daily, weekly and monthly maintenance of POCT equipment where applicable, ensuring that logs are completed by all staff. Check the safety and functioning of all equipment perform simple troubleshooting and report malfunctions to BMS staff.

Stock Control: Maintain sufficient stocks of reagents, supplies etc. for the day-to-day operation of the POCT team. Maintain stock control records and order more stock where a system has been set up for this. Liaise with senior staff and Pathology stores staff to ensure deliveries are correct and received on time.

Information and IT: Ensure that the Standard Operating Procedures for own work area are kept up to date and displayed appropriately. Assist in proposing, developing and implementing new procedures. Use word processing and spreadsheet packages to produce draft SOPs, audit reports and laboratory data. Production of barcodes and monitoring of IT systems for IT connected POCT analysers.

Planning: Plan and organise own workload and may be required to assign work to Biomedical assistants.

Supervisory: Participate in the training of new biomedical assistants and associate practitioners. Supervise biomedical assistants and less experienced staff, allocating work, training, etc.

Audit: Perform audits as required by Senior BMS staff or the Laboratory Manager.
Quality: Perform quality control as appropriate and report any out of consensus results to BMS staff.

Other: Perform other technical duties as required within post-holder's training and competence.

To perform any other duties required by the POCT Team Leader or POCT Manager commensurate with grade.

Please refer to the attached job description for full roles and responsibilities.

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Attained or working towards a Foundation Degree or holds equivalent qualifications, e.g. science degree, IBMS Certificate of Achievement - part 2, etc. in a Science based subject
• Must have a minimum of an NVQ 3 in a Science related subject
• Holds the appropriate Foundation Degree or willing to complete the IBMS Certificate of Achievement part 2, etc. in an agreed timeframe

Desirable criteria

• Other Science-based qualifications
• ECDL or equivalent

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of laboratory work in an NHS or healthcare environment
• Able to understand data from IT systems, some of which may be complex
• Ability to train and competency assess staff
• Ability to perform audits

Desirable criteria

• Able to demonstrate competency at Higher MLA level (band 3) or equivalent
• Able to demonstrate competency in a range of laboratory procedures and equipment
• Experience of training and competency assessing staff in an NHS or healthcare environment
• Experience of performing audits in an NHS or healthcare environment

Communication and relationship skills

Essential criteria

• Must have excellent interpersonal skills
• Must be able to clearly and accurately convey information verbally gathered from both verbal and documented reports
• Able to provide and receive complex information in various forms with colleagues, other Trust staff and external suppliers
• Excellent written and oral communication skills appropriate to working with different audiences
• Experience of engaging with the public, patient and staff
• Able to demonstrate team working and working under own initiative

Desirable criteria

• Experience of communicating with clients or patients by telephone.

Analytical and Judgement skills

Essential criteria

• Able to use judgement in situations requiring factual analysis, e.g. troubleshooting equipment faults
• Able to remain calm under pressure
• Able to interpret information from databases and record data accurately

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with databases containing patient / quality information

Planning and organisation skills

Essential criteria

• Able to plan own work and meet agreed targets on an on-going basis
• Able to prioritise and understand when to escalate issues/problems
• Is able to perform work with minimum supervision

Physical skills

Essential criteria

• High level of manual dexterity required to perform tasks i.e. Keyboard skills required

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential criteria

• Flexible approach to working hours to help cover leave and sickness
• Must be able to work across both all UHL sites

Desirable criteria

• Awareness of patient or customer issues

Additional Information

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid Vaccination Status

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.

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