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Job summary

Main area
Point of Care
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (37.5 per week)
Job ref
382-CS153-24-A
Employer
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
BTH
Town
Blackpool
Salary
£25,147 - £27,596 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/01/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Point of Care Testing Associate Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 4

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people.

We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.

We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining healthy home-life balance.  Working patterns such as: part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored. 

 


Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the Point of Care Testing (POCT) team within Blackpool NHS Foundation Trust. Although this post is primarily based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital the successful candidate may be expected to carry out work at other Trust sites when required.

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a role that has been developed as part of the ongoing Trust POCT improvement initiative.  We are looking for an individual on a full time basis who has extensive experience working within a Pathology Laboratory or working with POCT devices and methods in a Healthcare setting.  

Suitable candidates will require a foundation degree in Healthcare Science or an equivalent qualification or significant experience working in a Healthcare Science laboratory.

 

Main duties of the job

The main duties for this role will be to provide training for POCT operators and to audit POCT equipment Trust wide.

Other duties will include analyses of quality control and quality assurance samples, reviewing stock of consumables and facilitating the administration of the quality assurance programmes (collation and recording of results) and data management systems.

The post holders will be required to handle and test patient samples as and when required during their routine duties.

Working for our organisation

The principal duty of the post holder will be to support the provision of a quality POCT service throughout Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT).  This support includes supporting the implementation of equipment, maintenance of equipment and data management systems, training and quality. 

The post holder will work as part of the Point of Care Testing (POCT) Team maintaining good lines of communication and promoting a strong commitment to the department. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • To be a member of the BTHFT Trust POCT Team, working across all Trust sites as required.
  • To facilitate safe POCT practice by educating and promoting end-user compliance with POCT Standard Operating Procedures.
  • To monitor performance of POCT devices and facilitate correct functioning by undertaking minor maintenance and troubleshooting procedures.
  • To support the implementation of the policies and procedures authorised and ratified by the Trust POCT Group and the Medical Devices Steering Committee.
  • To promote POCT quality and safety regulations and directives enabling the Trust to meet the requirements of: MHRA guidelines, ISO 22870:2006 standards and relevant CQC and NHSLA standards.

 

Please refer to attached job description.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Foundation Degree in Healthcare Science or equivalent qualification
Desirable criteria
  • IT Qualification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Ability to work under demanding circumstances and to deadlines
  • Awareness of confidentiality issues
  • Working as a member of a team
  • Experience of working unsupervised
Desirable criteria
  • Significant experience in a hospital laboratory, ward or theatre setting
  • Proven technical skills in a healthcare setting
  • Knowledge of POCT assays performed throughout the Trust, including community
  • Experience of demonstrating tasks to others
  • Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation issues
  • Knowledge of UKAS standards and quality
  • Knowledge of audits and standard operating procedures
  • Experience of troubleshooting analysers and systems
  • Practical experience of POCT training
  • Stock control procedures

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to follow policies, procedures, guidance and protocols
  • Developed IT skills including keyboard skills
  • Ability to use word processing and spreadsheet packages
  • Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise
  • Good communication skills using verbal written, numerical and visual means
  • Numerate and able to undertake scientific calculations
  • Ability to acquire theoretical knowledge required undertaking laboratory tasks
  • Ability to use own initiative
  • Ability to work flexibly
  • Ability to multitask
  • Manual dexterity and technical skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareNo smoking policyDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverDisability confident employer

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Michelle Carter
Job title
POCT Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01253 954133
Additional information

For further details please contact Michelle Carter on 01253 954133 or email  [email protected].

Please note working days are Monday - Thursday.

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
BTH
Telephone
01253 957001
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