Healthcare Scientist Practitioner POCT, Band 5

at  Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This is a 12 month fixed term post to cover maternity leave within the Point of Care Testing team in Pathology at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for a qualified Band 5 Biomedical Scientist or alternatively a Band 4 Associate Practitioner with experience of working in pathology or with near patient testing equipment in clinical settings.
To take an active role in the support of the Trust’s Point of Care Testing Policy (POCT).
To undertake a range of tasks both within the laboratory and in multiple Trust inpatient and outpatient locations providing ongoing support for devices and systems providing diagnostic test results at the patient bedside.
You will be supporting the state registered Healthcare Scientists in the provision of an effective, high quality service which will enhance clinical governance across the whole Trust site with regards POCT.
To support the governance framework required for day to day running of equipment both in the laboratory and multiple Trust areas.
To support the implementation of the policies and procedures authorised and ratified by the Trust POCT Group and the Gloucestershire Countywide Steering Group.
Maternity cover for October 2024 to October 2025
The proposed interview date is 20th August
The primary role will be to help develop our governance framework for Point of Care Testing and engage with a variety of different healthcare professionals to implement true quality improvement in rapid and accurate diagnostic testing within the near patient environment. Duties will include training a variety of healthcare staff in the use of various diagnostic equipment, carrying our maintenance and troubleshooting activities. Preparing and processing IQC and EQA. Maintaining complex electronic databases of users and POCT equipment.
The personal qualities we are looking for include;
The ability to train and develop in order to apply specialist knowledge and experience to working practices.
Excellent communication skills
Organised with attention to detail.
Flexible and able to demonstrate initiative, with problem solving abilities.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Friendly and enthusiastic team player with good demonstrable interpersonal skills.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest hospital trusts in England, delivering services from two general hospitals.
The Chemical Pathology Department provides a UKAS accredited analytical and clinical interpretive service to support over 600,000 individuals within the health community in Gloucestershire.
We are a hard working team focused on improving patient outcomes and delivering high quality services to support the testing of more than ¾ million diagnostic tests performed next to the patient bedside.
Benefits include holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus eight general and public holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service
An annual personal development review to support your career aspirations
Occupational health services and support
Automatic membership of the NHS Pension Scheme (unless you choose to opt out). New entrants to the scheme receive employer contributions of 5 - 14.5% dependant on salary.
Study leave for sponsored courses
To work closely under the management of the POCT Co-ordinator and POCT Clinical Lead and members of the POCT Group.
Key working relationships will exist between the post holder and the POCT lead, Band 7 POCT Coordinators and Clinical Scientist Lead for POCT. The post holder will also be dealing with a variety of key personnel including clinicians, GP’s, nursing staff, other hospital and primary care staff, supplier representatives, and engineers
Undertake projects for POCT as directed by the POCT or Clinical Scientist leads.
Undertake various admin responsibilities using the POCcelerator network system, including setting up and removing of POCT devices as required, updating consumable information and user access. Generating clinical reports as requested by POCT leads or clinical staff.
To assist with the training and support of ward and outpatient based staff using complex POCT equipment.
Participate in method evaluations and comparison studies for point of care tests
Regularly review the appropriate usage of all materials both within the Chemical Pathology department and all POCT hospital areas.
To assist with data collection that may be required for audits, as directed by Healthcare Scientist staff.
To carry out routine audits as agreed with the senior staff.
Use Q Pulse to record point of care activities and issues such as NCRs, audits, document control.
To keep abreast of developments in the laboratory and in POCT.
You will be expected to work at both sites and this may include an element of lone working.
With reference to work undertaken, especially outside routine hours, provide advice to users of the service

Please refer the Job description for details