Point of Care Technician

Posting date:	09 February 2026
Salary:	£35,763.00 to £43,466.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£35763.00 - £43466.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	02 March 2026
Location:	London, N18 1QX
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	C9391-26-0253

Summary

Full training will be provided to the post holder on all aspects of the role Main Duties To co-operate fully with the POCT Manager to enable day to day POCT departmental objectives to be achieved. Ensure the ongoing compliance with POCT quality and regulatory standards i.e. UKAS and MHRA. Support the POCT Manager in ensuring that the departments quality objectives are achieved. The role will involve the development and delivery of training programmes to nurses, clinicians and other HCP in the use of POCT equipment to locally agreed regulatory standards. To receive, manage and prioritise enquiries, complaints and requests for advice verbally and through email, telephone and the bleep. Deal with enquiries in a sensitive and efficient manner. The role involves frequent interruptions and at times requires intense concentration to ensure tasks are carried out accurately and effectively. Monitor and review the performance of the IT connected POCT devices remotely using POCT middleware to enable the efficient running of the service. Maintain POCT devices in good working order, changing consumables where required. To dress and act in a professional manner and encourage good staff relationships being the contact for POCT department out in the hospital or elsewhere. To maintain patient confidentiality at all times. To participate in continuous professional development, mandatory training and any other activity required to perform the role effectively. Technical Proficient in using specialised diagnostic and POCT tests and procedures routinely performed in the Trust whilst following agreed protocols and procedures. Gain a full understanding of the correct and safe use and essential maintenance of all specialised POCT analysers used in the Trust. Provide trouble shooting services and advice to POCT users. Take the initiative to address technical issues in a timely manner to reduce their impact clinically. To assist in ensuring that the POCT department meets and complies with both internal quality control and External Quality Assurance schemes. To take part in the development and introduction of new POCT devices and procedures. Assist in evaluation and verification of new and existing POCT devices recording evidence and data in line with the appropriate SOPs and policies, processing data and preparing formal reports. Ensure all records pertaining to POCT equipment and services are kept up to date and recorded appropriately as per the relevant SOPs. Service Management Plan and organise workloads which can be variable and complex. Ensure workload is continually evaluated and prioritised to enable completion of ongoing work/projects in a timely manner, together with new work which can be interspersed with urgent enquiries requiring immediate action. To advise the POCT manager on adequate stock levels of reagents and equipment. Ensure effective stock rotation and records are upheld. Policies in own work area and assists in developing future policies and procedures. Communication and Liaison Effectively communicate with POCT users throughout the Trust providing advice and guidance with regards to training and access to POCT services, procedure, sample type, assay limitation and consumables To liaise with POCT Manager where more complex interpretation or advice may be required. Ensure timely and effective communication with the POCT manager, reporting of issues which may have an impact on the overall quality of the service. To foster and develop influential relationships with cascade trainers and clinical staff to enable the POCT service to complement and support the clinical services as effectively as possible. To be an active member of the Trust POCT Committee. To Actively participate in departmental meetings, team briefings, educational and audit meetings as appropriate To be polite and objective when dealing with POCT users or patients either on the phone or in person. Deliver information effectively to clinical staff, challenging misconceptions and bad practice in an effective way where appropriate. Develop a programme of work that will ensure all POC devices are managed effectively and will be accountable for the independent management of this workload. Develop strong working relationships with all clinical users and be seen as a source of expert advice in the commissioning and running of POC equipment. In the absence of the POC manager the postholder will be responsible for advising the Divisional management on any issues with POC equipment which could result in withdrawing the equipment from use. When appropriately trained the postholder will be accountable for carrying out required validation and verification of equipment prior to authorisation for clinical use. Teaching and Training Train colleagues, HCP and clinicians of all grades from band 2 to consultant level in the correct use of POCT equipment. Ensure that the SOPs are followed and deal with any non-compliance appropriately. Review and develop systems to ensure that competency training is managed appropriately. Construct, store and deliver teaching materials to aid training. Consider all methods to deliver training effectively especially to colleagues offsite and be instrumental in the development of new methods of delivery (such as e-learning) Quality Control and Assurance Review the POCT IQC results, address any technical issues and escalate any performance issues to the POCT manager where appropriate. Perform regular reagent acceptance testing, taking appropriate action where performance is not to acceptable standards. To write and update SOPs and other procedures related to POCT. Process external quality assurance material, report results to EQA organisations and participate in reviews of reported performance. To undertake basic troubleshooting and follow procedures and take corrective action in an event of degradation of assay performance. IT After appropriate training possess necessary skills and knowledge to make correct use of: - Laboratory Information Management Systems. Electronic document handling/asset register system (Q-Pulse). Electronic POCT middleware systems (Aqure) Excel spreadsheets for the data processing, including inputting filtering and sorting including the management of user details, event logging e.t.c. Be knowledgeable to troubleshoot IT connectivity issues with the POCT devices and understand how to enable connectivity between the devices and the middleware. Be able to use the middleware systems to optimise the efficiency of the POCT services by reviewing reagent usage, noncompliance from users (inappropriate use of patient and user barcodes), identify connectivity issues, resolve device misuse etc. Fluent keyboard and ICT knowledge to process data including inputting, filtering and sorting. Audit, Clinical Governance, Research and Development To perform regular audit, research and/or development procedures relevant to the needs of the POCT department. Perform regular vertical, horizontal and examination audits as required by UKAS. Participate in regular temperature monitoring and be aware of potential impact on stock on exceptionally hot and cold days, be able to take swift action to minimise the impact on the reagents and the service. To maintain the POCT section of the quality management system including following up audit findings, addressing non-conformances and taking appropriate corrective actions. Participate in testing and assessment of new equipment to UKAS standards. To report any adverse incidents using the Trusts incident reporting policy or to the POCT manager if an external incident report is required. Other Duties To adhere to relevant legislation and Trust policies. To ensure safe working systems are adopted and adhered to, comply with ward based PPE when required. To assist in ensuring allocated work is achieved within timescales. The duties contained in this job description are not intended to be exhaustive. The post holder must be flexible in the duties performed and it is expected that similar duties, not specifically listed above, will be carried out as required and may be cross site. Due to the nature and pressure and variety of work there is a need for the ability to multi-task both physically, mentally and be expected to communicate with all grades of staff. The job may involve frequent exposure to unpleasant body fluids and tissue including sputum, faeces, blood, urine and samples that are potentially infective with pathogenic micro-organisms (including infections such as Hepatitis, HIV, nvCJD, TB). As such the appointee expected to follow precisely the Trust policy and the infection control regulations in handling highly infective materials The post requires the transport of chemicals, reagents and solutions together with disposal of clinical waste and requires some physical effort. The role involves exposure to both laboratory and clinical environments.