Contact information
Please contact Tracey Eastwood if you have any enquiries about the the role.
Email: tracey.eastwood@nhs.net
Phone: 01924 317019
About the role
Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is offering an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated individual to join the Point of Care Testing (POCT) team as a POCT Assistant. This is a full-time position, though part-time hours (minimum 30 hours/week may be considered.)
Based within the Pathology department, the role involves working across wards, clinics, and other clinical areas, supporting clinical staff with the use of over 250 POCT devices for diagnostic testing. Duties include assisting Biomedical Scientists, day to day operation and maintenance of devices, training and quality assurance, and ensuring a high-quality service and patient care.
Applications are invited from enthusiastic, motivated, organised, flexible, and friendly individuals with excellent communication skills. They must be able to prioristise work and work well under pressure. Previous experience of working in a hospital pathology laboratory or in Point of Care Testing is desirable but not essential.
A full clean driving license is required for travel to off-site POCT locations using Trust vehicles. Please refer to the person specification for full details of the requirements for this post.
Main duties
* To work as part of a team providing a high quality, timely POCT service across all Trust sites including offsite locations
* To participate in training required to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of all equipment and techniques used in POCT
* To operate a wide range of Point of Care Testing equipment using analytical skills, following manufacturer’s guidelines, SOPs and Trust policies
* To carry out routine and urgent maintenance of POCT equipment; identify and report problems associated with the equipment to the manager.
* To monitor POCT equipment from laboratory based IT systems and recognise errors and malfunctions and take appropriate action in a timely manner.
* To respond to telephone and email enquiries and provide technical support for POCT service users
* To perform Quality Control and External Quality Assurance (EQA) on POCT equipment following departmental and quality assurance provider’s instructions
* To deliver face to face and group training for all grades of medical and nursing staff on all POCT equipment and keep accurate records of competency assessments
* To follow stock control procedures for POCT reagents and consumables
* To carry out Point of Care Testing audits
* To work independently to plan and organise clerical workload
* To use the Pathology Quality Management system and follow document control procedures
* To be competent in the use of Trust, laboratory and POCT IT systems as required for the role
Key requirements
Essential:
* NVQ level 3 in Laboratory Science or able to demonstrate equivalent experience to this level of technical achievement.
* GCSE Maths and English grade C or above.
* A reasonable knowledge of health and safety principles applicable in working within a laboratory environment.
* Must understand the nature of patient confidentiality.
* Excellent communication skills.
* Ability to communicate with all levels of staff.
* Good time management skills.
* Good organisational skills.
* Ability to use basic computer systems.
* Able to work well within a small team.
* Able to work under pressure
* Able to organise self, prioritise, work to deadlines and quality standards.
* Enthusiasm for work.
* Manual dexterity.
* Attention to detail and accuracy.
* Willingness to work flexibly.
* Friendly and approachable.
* Good time keeping.
* Must hold a full UK driving licence.
Desirable:
* Attended POCT training sessions.
* Suitable Qualifications in Information Technology (e.g. CLAIT/ECDL)
* Suitable Qualifications in Health and Safety
* Experience of working in a hospital pathology laboratory as a Medical Laboratory Assistant or in Point of Care Testing.
* Knowledge of Health and Safety law and its application.
* Knowledge of what Point of Care Testing involves.
* Able to demonstrate good laboratory practice in their work.
Be part of MY team
We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application guidance:
We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
Our benefits
* Access to the NHS pension plan
* Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
* Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
* Extensive benefits and support, including:
* Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Home electronics scheme
* Car lease salary sacrifice scheme
* Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
* Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
* Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
* Career progression, training and support
Skilled worker sponsorship
You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our careers site .