Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 8a Point of Care Testing Lead (POCT)

The closing date is 22 September 2025

Job summary

We are seeking applications from a forward thinking, well-motivated, enthusiastic individuals to take lead role in developing and delivering Point of Care Testing (POCT) service across Barking, Havering, Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust (King George, Queens Hospitals and community hospitals settings).

You will be responsible for delivering patient focused, governance led, operational planning, implementation of policies, procedures, guidance, safe and high quality POCT service that is aligned with national POCT strategies.You will be expected to support the design, assessment, implementation, and maintain POCT service outside the traditional laboratory settings, ensuring diagnostics are embedded in the patient pathway at the most appropriate and accessible point to facilitate care decisions.You should possess excellent communication and time management skills and have a systematic and flexible approach to work. The successful candidate will be expected to work as part of the team in the delivery of Point of Care Testing service and lead POCT team based at Queen's Hospital and King George Hospital and includes HCPC registered staff and Associate practitioners.

Both hospitals offer a pleasant working environment and are well served by several bus routes and mainline stations nearby.

Main duties of the job

Provides an overarching role facilitating the comprehensive management, compliance monitoring and reporting on all Point of Care Testing (POCT) devices throughout the Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust in line with local and national accreditation, clinical governance and risk management requirements.

About us

We provide care for the residents of three diverse London boroughs. Most of our 7,800 permanent staff live in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge and the majority are from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. We also provide healthcare services to people in south west Essex, and specialist neurosciences services to the whole of the county.

Our services include all the major specialties of large acute hospitals and we operate from two main sites - King George Hospital in Goodmayes and Queen's Hospital in Romford. We have two of the busiest emergency departments in London - more than 300,000 people visited our A&Es in 2023. We also provide outpatient services at Brentwood Community Hospital, Barking Community Hospital, Loxford Polyclinic, and Harold Wood Polyclinic.

We're pleased to be leading the way in reducing the time our patients wait to get the treatment they need. The Elective Surgical Hub at King George Hospital is one of eight to be accredited as part of a national scheme; the Care Quality Commission has raised the ratings forurgent and emergency careat Queen's and King George hospitals; anddata released by NHS Englandshowed that the Trust was the most improved in 2023 for reducing waits for emergency care.

We are particularly proud of our regional Neurosciences Centre; Radiotherapy Centre; Hyper Acute Stroke Unit; and dedicated breast care service at King George Hospital. We're also part of the North East London Cancer Alliance.

Details

Date posted

08 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£61,631 to £68,623 a year Per Annum Inclusive

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

162-5963-AV-A

Job locations

Across Site

Ilford/Romford

RM7 0AG


Job description

Job responsibilities

The POCT team provides support for a number of Point of Care Testing applications including 19 blood gas analysers, 250 glucose and other POCT equipment across both sites and community hospitals. The department actively encourages participation in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to develop skills that will assist you in the pursuit of career ambitions.

For further information, or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Vasuki Sivashankar, Head Biomedical Scientist on 01708 435 000 Ext.5073/2857, email vsivashankar@nhs.net.

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

The person specification listed below is not the full specification requirements for the role. Please ensure you review the full specification on the job description prior to submitting your application.

Applicants are advised to read all the information on the advert and the supporting information before completing and submitting an application. As you complete your application please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this post by adequately completing the supporting information section of the application form.

All new staff appointed at the Trust are subject to a probationary period.

Applications should be made online, however, queries regarding the application process, assistance with completion of the application form or if you require any adjustments (for applicants with a disability) please contact Amanda Vickers, Recruitment Advisor, on 01708 435000 ext. 5926. Further details regarding the post may be obtained by contacting the manager as per the contact details above.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The POCT team provides support for a number of Point of Care Testing applications including 19 blood gas analysers, 250 glucose and other POCT equipment across both sites and community hospitals. The department actively encourages participation in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to develop skills that will assist you in the pursuit of career ambitions.

For further information, or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Vasuki Sivashankar, Head Biomedical Scientist on 01708 435 000 Ext.5073/2857, email vsivashankar@nhs.net.

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.

The person specification listed below is not the full specification requirements for the role. Please ensure you review the full specification on the job description prior to submitting your application.

Applicants are advised to read all the information on the advert and the supporting information before completing and submitting an application. As you complete your application please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this post by adequately completing the supporting information section of the application form.

All new staff appointed at the Trust are subject to a probationary period.

Applications should be made online, however, queries regarding the application process, assistance with completion of the application form or if you require any adjustments (for applicants with a disability) please contact Amanda Vickers, Recruitment Advisor, on 01708 435000 ext. 5926. Further details regarding the post may be obtained by contacting the manager as per the contact details above.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant higher degree /professional qualification (master's degree, PhD, Fellowship of IBMS or equivalent) / extensive relevant experience In depth knowledge of POCT
  • State registration with Health Care Professions Council

Desirable

  • Training/management qualifications
  • IBMS Certificate in POCT

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Experience of accreditation procedures e.g., CPA, UKAS, ISO, GLP

Desirable

  • Previous supervisory experience
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant higher degree /professional qualification (master's degree, PhD, Fellowship of IBMS or equivalent) / extensive relevant experience In depth knowledge of POCT
  • State registration with Health Care Professions Council

Desirable

  • Training/management qualifications
  • IBMS Certificate in POCT

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Experience of accreditation procedures e.g., CPA, UKAS, ISO, GLP

Desirable

  • Previous supervisory experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Across Site

Ilford/Romford

RM7 0AG


Employer's website

https://www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Across Site

Ilford/Romford

RM7 0AG


Employer's website

https://www.bhrhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head Biomedical Scientist

Vasuki Sivashankar

vsivashankar@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

08 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£61,631 to £68,623 a year Per Annum Inclusive

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

162-5963-AV-A

Job locations

Across Site

Ilford/Romford

RM7 0AG


Supporting documents

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