Band 4 Associate Practitioner - Point of Care

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Birmingham is looking for a motivated Band 4 Associate Practitioner to contribute to patient-centred diagnostics within the Point of Care Testing service. This role involves managing various instruments across multiple sites, ensuring efficiency and compliance. Candidates should have relevant qualifications, laboratory knowledge, and the ability to work in a clinical environment. The position offers a flexible work schedule with a focus on teamwork and patient care.

Qualifications

• Education to GCSE in English and Maths.
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
• Completion of a medical laboratory assistant competency portfolio or relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide efficient and cost-effective POCT service.
• Maintain, operate and troubleshoot POCT devices.
• Manage stock control and liaise with manufacturers for technical issues.

Skills

Laboratory knowledge

Communication

Customer care practices

Education

GCSE in English and Maths

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Medical laboratory assistant competency portfolio

Job description

Band 4 Associate Practitioner - Point of Care

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Closing date: 13 January 2026

This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Band 4 Associate Practitioner to contribute to patient‑centred diagnostics within the Point of Care Testing (POCT) service at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB). The vacancy is for 37.5 hrs/week across all sites at UHB.

Successful candidates will work primarily Monday to Friday with rotational Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday sessions. The role may be job‑shared as a duo and requires a clean driving licence and access to a car.

As part of the expanding Point of Care team you will manage multiple instruments across various sites, work with clinical staff, maintain equipment such as Blood Gas, Full Blood Count, Glucose & Ketone meters, INR & D‑Dimer monitors, TEGs, HemoCue & HbA1c analysers, Pregnancy, Urinalysis readers, and molecular systems for respiratory viruses.

Candidate should have good laboratory knowledge and understanding of POCT and NHS environment.

Main duties of the job

Provide efficient and cost‑effective POCT service.

Maintain, operate and troubleshoot POCT devices according to protocols, quality standards and accreditation.

Manage stock control and liaise with manufacturers for technical issues.

Communicate with clinical teams, conduct audits, monitor quality control, record and report non‑compliances.

Train users, assess competency, maintain training records, review SOPs.

Support implementation of new POCT technologies and IT connectivity, ensure health and safety compliance.

Support breath test clinics.

Job responsibilities

For further details please read the attached Job Description.

The post holder will be based at any of the UHB hospital sites and will cover community settings across Birmingham and Solihull, travelling as required and working flexibly across sites.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Education to GCSE in English and Maths.
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
• Completion of a medical laboratory assistant competency portfolio or evidence of laboratory/POCT work and competency.

Experience

• Awareness of the NHS.
• Awareness of the role of Medical Laboratories.
• Awareness of Health and Safety issues.
• Evidence of supervisory experience.
• Understanding of Biomedical Science role and evidence of knowledge.
• Customer care practices.
• Experience working in clinical laboratories / POCT.
• Experience with laboratory techniques and automation.
• Experience dealing with the public or customer care.

Additional Criteria

• Expected to participate in all out‑of‑hours periods as required by service provision.
• Ability to handle blood and other bodily fluid samples.
• Ability and flexibility to work on multiple sites including weekend working.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a DBS check.

Employer name

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust