Job overview
The Point of Care Testing team at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is seeking to recruit a full-time Point of Care Testing associate to join our team to support our rapidly developing portfolio of connected Point of Care Testing devices.
Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) is analytical testing that is performed near or at the site of a patient with the result leading to possible change in the care of the patient. Pathology manages the governance activity across the Trust and POCT is working towards ISO 15189 2022 accreditation.
Main duties of the job
As a member of the POCT team you will contribute to day to day delivery of the POCT service with specific responsibilities for maintaining specialised POCT equipment, troubleshooting, reagent management, documentation, performance of internal quality control, administration of external quality assessment programmes, delivering and organising training, audits and supporting service users.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
1. At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
2. Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
3. Blue Light card eligibility
4. And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Standard Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children).
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
5. Minimum of 5 GCSE’s including English Language, Mathematics and a science subject
6. Educated to NVQ 3 equivalent level plus theoretical or applied training to diploma equivalent level of experience
7. Evidence of commitment to learning and professional development
8. Routinely adopts a positive approach to learning
Desirable criteria
9. Evidence of continuing professional development.
10. Willingness to undertake further training as required by the role
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
11. Experience in providing clinical or technical services to patients/clients e.g. working in a Pathology or clinical environment providing standard diagnostic tests or advanced skills
12. Competence in POCT services to the level required for the post; to be achieved within 6 months of starting the post
13. Experience in using Microsoft Office
14. Able to demonstrate recent knowledge of advances in point of care testing and management
Desirable criteria
15. Experience in using laboratory information management system
16. Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation and procedures within a clinical laboratory
17. Practical knowledge of departmental equipment and methods
Skills
Essential criteria
18. Ability to work in a methodical and organised manner
19. Ability to concentrate for long periods of time and accurately check and transcribe information from paper or electronic requests.
20. Effective verbal and communication skills for delivery of practical training and technical guidance (including quality governance) to any Trust clinicians and nursing staff for the appropriate use of POCT devices
Desirable criteria
21. General laboratory skills including analyser maintenance, quality control and assessment