Job overview
We are recruiting for a Associate Practitioner who shares our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.
The post holder will be expected to liaise and take direction from the Point of Care Testing (POCT) Coordinator, the Transfusion Practitioners, and the Senior Management Team within the laboratory.
The role will include liaising with staff from wards and departments within the Trust that use POCT and/or blood tracking equipment.
The post holder will eventually be expected to plan and organise a workload which can be varied and complex. This involves completion of ongoing work, starting new projects, working for 2 teams, alongside dealing with urgent enquiries requiring immediate action. Training and support will be given by the POCT Coordinator and the Transfusion Practitioners
At the heart of everything we do are our core values: Include, Respect, and Improve. We encourage you to embrace these values throughout the recruitment process and in your role with us.
Main duties of the job
Proficient in the use of a range Point of Care testing (POCT) devices used within the Trust and monitoring that users of these devices are following relevant SOPs, and to notify the Point of Care Testing Coordinator of any non-compliances.
Management of several external quality assurance (EQA) schemes for POCT devices across the Trust. This will include preparation and distribution of EQA material for analysis, inputting, and collation of data through web-based software.
Assist in the review of quality control data and take appropriate actions including discussion with clinical area and running of repeat samples.
Actively investigate and perform troubleshooting and maintenance procedures to facilitate correct functioning of POCT equipment using own initiative and judgement.
Working for our organisation
At East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust, we are proud of the range of general and specialist services we provide and our 6,000 or so dedicated staff ensure our patients get the best care. Our ability to be flexible and innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.
We run the following hospitals:
* The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
* New Queen Elizabeth II (New QEII), Welwyn Garden City
* Hertford County, Hertford
* Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), Northwood
We have ambitious plans to become an outstanding, patient-led Trust where dedicated staff provide high-quality, compassionate care to our patients. We continue to undergo significant transformation and our staff and patients are at the heart of delivering this ambitious agenda.
We are committed to a positive work life balance for our employees. This means that any employee is entitled to seek to work flexible working patterns and we are committed to listen and consider all requests. Such requests, of course, have to be made and considered formally, and will need to be balanced against service needs, but our starting point will always be to find ways to support making them happen.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification applicant pack for further detailed information regarding this role.
Person specification
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
* Demonstrable knowledge of a range of routine and nonroutine healthcare science duties
* Team working
Desirable criteria
* Practical experience of working in a laboratory or healthcare setting
* Previous relevant experience of working in the NHS
Skills
Essential criteria
* Willingness to undertake cross training to extend skill set to deliver dual role
* Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise work
* Able to work in a busy environment where there will be frequent interruptions
* Ability to supervise less experienced staff, including supporting the training of staff
* Ability to organise and allocate work to less experience staff to meet needs of the service
* Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time
* High degree of manual dexterity to perform standard laboratory techniques
* Proficient in the use of internet and standard computer packages
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Demonstrable knowledge of a range of routine and nonroutine healthcare science duties
Desirable criteria
* Awareness of Point of Care Testing devices
* Basic awareness of blood transfusion principles
* Experience in performing audit
Qualifications/ Training
Essential criteria
* Appropriate scientific qualification (e.g. Relevant scientific degree, or equivalent, or working towards)