Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Point of Care Testing (POCT) team at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) as a Band 4 Associate Practitioner in a permanent position. The POCT team delivers essential diagnostic services across BHT and associated community locations throughout Buckinghamshire.
The service provides a high-quality, responsive approach to supporting POCT devices and training clinical users. Devices include blood gas analysers, glucose and ketone meters, urinalysis, CRP, and pregnancy testing platforms.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working closely with clinical teams and thrives in a dynamic healthcare environment. We're seeking a charismatic, engaging individual with strong communication and presentation skills. Previous experience in POCT or pathology is desirable. Candidates should be highly organised, self-motivated, and able to work both independently and collaboratively. The ability to perform under pressure and maintain high professional standards is essential. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to achieving the highest professional standards and have proof of engagement with continuous professional development processes.
Main duties of the job
The post holder would be required to work as a member of the POCT team and work at all BHT hospital sites (Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Wycombe General Hospital and Amersham) and associated community sites. The working times would be 37.5 hours from Monday to Friday.
Main duties include:
1. To be proficient in the use of all Point of Care devices currently used within the Trust e.g. Blood Gas Analysers, Glucose Monitors, Pregnancy testing
2. To assist and support the POCT Team in providing a professional POCT service
3. To contribute to the efficient and effective running of the POCT service as appropriate
4. Monitor users of these devices follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) devised by the Point of Care Manager, advising the POCT Lead BMS of non-compliance.
5. Solve routine problems with Point of Care devices, calling on the POCT Manager/ POCT BMS Lead for more serious problems and / or the maintenance engineers where appropriate.
6. To train clinical, nursing and laboratory staff in the use of POCT equipment, ensuring compliance with Trust POCT guidelines and procedure.
7. Support the POCT Manager in the investigation of incidents and errors if required, to ensure service improvement.
8. Please refer to JD for full list of main duties.
Working for our organisation
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! -
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
9. As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
10. We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.
11. We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
Why work for us?
12. We’re committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
13. As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
14. Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
15. A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.
What do we stand for?
16. Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
17. Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
18. Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.
Person specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential criteria
19. Good general education standard
20. GCSE Maths, English and at least one science subject or equivalent
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
21. An understanding of Quality Control and Assurance.
22. Able to work as part of a team
23. Excellent verbal communication skills able to communicate technical matters with users at all levels of understanding
24. Excellent presentation skills
25. Ability to think logically and demonstrate good acumen to solve problems
26. Ability to carry out repairs and maintenance with specialist tools with the necessary dexterity and care
27. Concentration and attention to detail.
28. Able to follow written methodologies or protocols
29. Good knowledge of Basic Microsoft packages.
Desirable criteria
30. Ability to work under own initiative, prioritise work, and to achieve agreed schedules
Special Circumstances
Essential criteria
31. Ability to travel to locations throughout Buckinghamshire
Desirable criteria
32. Work internal rotation
33. Flexible working as required
Experience
Essential criteria
34. Work experience of working in a Biomedical laboratory
35. Work experience with POCT devices
36. Working knowledge of Biomedical techniques and practises
37. Evidence of continuing professional development.
38. Further technical training relevant to the role
39. Working as a member of a team
40. Experience with responding to frequent queries from service users by telephone, email and in person.
41. Able to handle working with body fluid samples
42. Experience of taking responsibility for own standards of work
43. Experience of using general office software packages
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
Employer certification / accreditation badges