Job summary
Point of Care Testing (POCT) Co-ordinator
Department: Pathology
Band 8a £50,952 - £57,349 per annum pro rata if part-time
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are seeking a forward thinking individual to take a lead role in developing and delivering Point of Care Testing (POCT) in acute medical, community and ambulatory settings within the BLMK ICS footprint.
You will be responsible for delivering patient focused, governance led, safe high quality POCT within an accredited service framework that is aligned with national POCT strategies.
You will be expected to support the design, assessment, implementation (including appropriate connectivity) and maintain service delivery of diagnostic services outside the traditional laboratory setting, ensuring diagnostics are embedded in the patient pathway at the most appropriate and accessible point to facilitate care decisions.
Proposed interview date: 31/01/2024
Main duties of the job
The post holders' main role is to manage and coordinate Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) activities across the Trust and where applicable, other organisations.
A major element of the role is to ensure that POCT arrangements in the Trust have adequate governance structures and function with minimal risk to patients. This includes ensuring service delivery meets all relevant laboratory accreditation standards and other national professional guidelines on POCT to deliver effective patient care and resource management.
The post holder will ensure the POCT service is responsive to clinical needs and is developed accordingly.
Close liaison with Trust personnel at all levels in the organisation who use or manage POCT devices is therefore essential. The post holder will also liaise with the wider BLMK ICB and S4 Pathology Network.
About us
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and relationship skills
- Liaise with the Blood Sciences manager and the Clinical Lead Consultants in the technical, scientific, clinical and administrative work
- Liaising with clinical, nursing and medical staff to advise on all aspects of the Point of Care Testing service.
Analytical skills
- Use experience, knowledge and judgement to interpret complex results, take appropriate actions in line with local and national policies.
- To advise and provide expert interpretation of results produced by POCT equipment.
Planning and organisation skills
- Coordinate delivery of POCT service with other Blood Science and Pathology operational leads.
- Take a leading role strategic planning in service area ensuring that changes in users requirements are monitored, planned for, costed and where agreed implemented.
Responsibility patient/client care
- Responsible for managing all patient/service user complaints and/or incidents in accordance with Pathology and Trust Policies.
- Lead investigations where service delivery falls below expectations and present reports if required to the Trust Quality Board and Serious Incidents Review Group.
Responsibility for policy and service development
- To develop, inform and implement both departmental and Trust Policies, guidelines, patient information and user information that relate to the POCT Service
- To support development of POCT in Community environment demonstrating engagement with ICB approach for community based diagnostics, enabling wider adoption of POCT
Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources
- Management of resources within the department such that the expected service level is achieved
- Responsible for the Annual Management Review report, stating the workload, cost and effectiveness of all POCT devices used.
Responsibility for Human Resources
- Line manage all staff within service area with responsibility for recruitment/selection of staff, staff mandatory training, staff induction (local and Trust), Annual Joint Reviews, absence monitoring and reporting, performance management (where indicated).
Responsibility research and development
- Advise, liaise and plan R&D activity including clinical trials undertaken by Trust R&D teams that require service involvement
- Perform role of Project Supervisor for staff undertaking BSc and post graduate courses.
Please refer to the attached Job Description for more details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and relationship skills
- Liaise with the Blood Sciences manager and the Clinical Lead Consultants in the technical, scientific, clinical and administrative work
- Liaising with clinical, nursing and medical staff to advise on all aspects of the Point of Care Testing service.
Analytical skills
- Use experience, knowledge and judgement to interpret complex results, take appropriate actions in line with local and national policies.
- To advise and provide expert interpretation of results produced by POCT equipment.
Planning and organisation skills
- Coordinate delivery of POCT service with other Blood Science and Pathology operational leads.
- Take a leading role strategic planning in service area ensuring that changes in users requirements are monitored, planned for, costed and where agreed implemented.
Responsibility patient/client care
- Responsible for managing all patient/service user complaints and/or incidents in accordance with Pathology and Trust Policies.
- Lead investigations where service delivery falls below expectations and present reports if required to the Trust Quality Board and Serious Incidents Review Group.
Responsibility for policy and service development
- To develop, inform and implement both departmental and Trust Policies, guidelines, patient information and user information that relate to the POCT Service
- To support development of POCT in Community environment demonstrating engagement with ICB approach for community based diagnostics, enabling wider adoption of POCT
Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources
- Management of resources within the department such that the expected service level is achieved
- Responsible for the Annual Management Review report, stating the workload, cost and effectiveness of all POCT devices used.
Responsibility for Human Resources
- Line manage all staff within service area with responsibility for recruitment/selection of staff, staff mandatory training, staff induction (local and Trust), Annual Joint Reviews, absence monitoring and reporting, performance management (where indicated).
Responsibility research and development
- Advise, liaise and plan R&D activity including clinical trials undertaken by Trust R&D teams that require service involvement
- Perform role of Project Supervisor for staff undertaking BSc and post graduate courses.
Please refer to the attached Job Description for more details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- HPC State Registration and MSc/FIBMS or equivalent.
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development.
- Extensive knowledge of ISO 15189 standards for Medical Laboratories
- Knowledge of national guidance for Point of Care Testing, urgent community response and virtual ward services
- Comprehensive specialist knowledge in the field of Clinical Chemistry and/or Haematology.
- Knowledge of laboratory training and competency requirements
- Extensive understanding of Quality Assurance
- Knowledge of professional Health & Safety legislation/requirements
- Knowledge of GDPR requirements
Desirable
- Management qualification/experience.
- Specialist knowledge of Microbiology
- Knowledge of NHSI Pathology initiatives i.e. Model Hospital data requirements
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of POCT service delivery and governance
- Extensive post qualification experience in Medical Laboratory at a Senior level (band 7 and above)
- Experience in training, organisation and management of staff of all grades
- Experience in the evaluation and introduction of new technologies and techniques
- Extensive experience in the use and maintenance of Quality Management Systems including ISO 15189 accreditation inspections
Desirable
- Experience in financial/ resource management
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage competing priorities
- Literate with all Microsoft Office applications
- Report writing skills
- Complex data interpretation skills
- Statistical analysis skills
- Complex option appraisal skills
- Organisational skills leading to service delivery
- Strategic planning skills
- Change control/management skills
- Highly developed practical and technical skills in chemical pathology laboratory techniques
Desirable
- Risk assessment skills
- Self-inspection auditing skills
Personal and people development
Essential
- Line management & HR experience/skills including staff AJR, absence monitoring and performance management
- Teaching/Training skills at a level suitable for clinical, technical & support staff
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English with report writing skills
- Customer care/service user skills
- Presentation Skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Able to support the 24/7 laboratory service
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- HPC State Registration and MSc/FIBMS or equivalent.
- Evidence of relevant continued professional development.
- Extensive knowledge of ISO 15189 standards for Medical Laboratories
- Knowledge of national guidance for Point of Care Testing, urgent community response and virtual ward services
- Comprehensive specialist knowledge in the field of Clinical Chemistry and/or Haematology.
- Knowledge of laboratory training and competency requirements
- Extensive understanding of Quality Assurance
- Knowledge of professional Health & Safety legislation/requirements
- Knowledge of GDPR requirements
Desirable
- Management qualification/experience.
- Specialist knowledge of Microbiology
- Knowledge of NHSI Pathology initiatives i.e. Model Hospital data requirements
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of POCT service delivery and governance
- Extensive post qualification experience in Medical Laboratory at a Senior level (band 7 and above)
- Experience in training, organisation and management of staff of all grades
- Experience in the evaluation and introduction of new technologies and techniques
- Extensive experience in the use and maintenance of Quality Management Systems including ISO 15189 accreditation inspections
Desirable
- Experience in financial/ resource management
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage competing priorities
- Literate with all Microsoft Office applications
- Report writing skills
- Complex data interpretation skills
- Statistical analysis skills
- Complex option appraisal skills
- Organisational skills leading to service delivery
- Strategic planning skills
- Change control/management skills
- Highly developed practical and technical skills in chemical pathology laboratory techniques
Desirable
- Risk assessment skills
- Self-inspection auditing skills
Personal and people development
Essential
- Line management & HR experience/skills including staff AJR, absence monitoring and performance management
- Teaching/Training skills at a level suitable for clinical, technical & support staff
Communication
Essential
- Good communication skills including a clear command of written and spoken English with report writing skills
- Customer care/service user skills
- Presentation Skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Able to support the 24/7 laboratory service
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).
