Associate Practitioner - Point of Care Testing POCT

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust; Leicester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust seeks an Associate Practitioner to join the POCT team. You will provide technical support to POCT analysers and devices, perform quality assurance testing and contribute to staff training to ensure competency across wards and sites.

The role involves maintaining equipment, following SOPs, and coordinating with BMS and stores to ensure timely deliveries. A rotation across UHL sites supports broad experience within the Trust's patient-centred service.

Qualifications

• Assist in operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of POCT analysers/devices, maintaining records.
• Provide a technical service and support mechanism for clinical users of POCT equipment.
• Perform or assist with Quality Assurance Testing (IQC and EQA) on POCT analysers/devices.
• Train and assess competency of POCT users.
• Maintain daily/weekly/monthly maintenance logs for POCT equipment.
• Plan workload and supervise biomedical assistants.
• Audit quality control procedures and report issues to senior staff.
• Liaise with BMS staff and pathology stores for deliveries and stock.

Responsibilities

• Participate in operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of POCT analysers/devices.
• Provide technical service and support for clinical POCT users.
• Conduct QA testing (IQC/EQA) on POCT devices.
• Train staff and assess competency in POCT use.
• Maintain maintenance logs and stock control for POCT equipment.
• Coordinate with senior staff and stores for timely deliveries.
• Ensure SOPs are followed and documentation is up to date.
• Assist with development of new methods and technologies.

Skills

POCT testing

Quality Assurance

Training delivery

Technical support

Tools

POCT analysers

Calibration equipment

Job description

As an Associate Practitioner, the post holder will be a member of the departmental team and assist in the delivery of a quality driven, cost effective, patient focused service consistent with the Leicester University Hospitals Trust's objectives. The post holders' main role is to provide technical support to Trust users of Point of Care Testing (POCT) analysers/devices to conform to the POCT standards and guidelines. This will be achieved by Performing or Assisting with Quality Assurance Testing on POCT analysers/devices in ward areas and Training and Competency of POCT users. The post holder will be expected to rotate across all UHL sites as required. Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030). We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence
• And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities. Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust: https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk

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.