Healthcare Scientist Assoc. Practitioner (POCT) Band 4

Job details

• Branch: Craigavon Area Hospital (SHSCT)
• Location: Craigavon Area Hosp-Main Building
• Directorate: Adult Community and Acute Services
• Salary: Band 4 (£27,485 - £30,162)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 20/08/26
• Closes: Thu, 03 September 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Healthcare Scientist Associate Practitioner (POCT)

BAND

Band 4

DIRECTORATE

Acute

INITIAL LOCATION

CAH

REPORTS TO

POCT Co-Ordinator / Lead BMS Biochemistry

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Head of Laboratory Services

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be working as an Associate Practitioner to assist in the provision of an efficient and smooth running Point of Care Testing (POCT) service by following the departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and protocols throughout all sections of the department. The job will involve the receipt and analysis of External Quality Assessment (EQA) samples using both manual techniques and automated equipment, organising, providing and recording of POCT user training, maintenance and basic troubleshooting of POCT devices

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Scientific and Clinical Responsibilities

1. Receives , distributes and where required analyses EQA samples using a range of POCT procedures, by either manual or automated techniques, to produce results of a quality consistent with excellent patient care. Undertakes these duties in areas of the relevant discipline appropriate to training and experience.

2. Accurately records and reports EQA results on appropriate web based software platforms for each scheme.

3. Ensures efficient use and maintenance of resources, is aware of stock levels and rotation, storage conditions, batch numbers and expiry dates, thus ensuring the viability of the reagents and/or blood products used.

4. To use judgement in the validity of daily quality control and external quality assurance results, and to be able to determine the need for corrective actions, maintenance or servicing of equipment. Assist in any evaluation of new equipment/devices, analysers or techniques being conducted within the POCT service.

5. To use judgement to remove unsafe or suspect devices and identify poor competency in users. Ensure all POCT equipment is correctly functioning within standard parameters.

6. Works in co-operation with other staff members to ensure that the workload is processed in a timely and efficient manner. Staff groups include departmental clinicians, consultants, BMS staff of all grades, nurses and support staff.

7. Is fully conversant with departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), ensuring that personal performance complies with relevant professional standards.

8. In conjunction with experienced BMS or Senior BMS staff ensures the validity of results by the use of appropriate calibration and control materials, applicable to both manual and automated systems in the laboratory and on the wards. Ensures that appropriate records are kept.

9. Carries out simple maintenance on highly complex and expensive POCT systems. Ensures that appropriate records are kept.

10. To communicate with companies supplying POCT equipment and consumables. To follow up on problems with orders, deliveries and equipment etc.

11. Organise and deliver training sessions for medical and nursing staff in the safe and competent use of POCT equipment. All training sessions will require the post holder to give presentations in the use of equipment followed by hands on training

12. Use agreed processes and competency measures to assess staff in training.

13. Maintain up to date records of training and SOPs ensuring all records are stored in line with Royal College of Pathologists recommendations

14. Activate user passwords and update POCT data management software as required with new user lists and training records etc

15. Performs telephone duties that include making and receiving calls from and to the laboratory, verbally transmitting confidential results and conveying sensitive information to healthcare professionals.

16. Responsible for resolving errors and for recording instances and actions on the Laboratory’s Quality Management system.

17. The Post holder will be required to work independently with indirect supervision from line manager in various locations and report back to the BMS POCT Co-ordinator and to other service user sites alone and act unaided.

18. Will be required to make decisions without consultation when this is necessary to maintain continuity of service or prevent risk to patients or users.

19. To assist in the control of investigations/audits carried out wards, clinics, surgeries and the other sites in the use of POCT devices in a climate of confidentiality.

20. With expanding and progressing POCT technologies, additional /further training will be necessary; this may require attendance at off-site training sessions with an equipment manufacturer.

21. Liaise with Governance officer / Infection Control ensuring safe working practice and prevention of infection is maintained where POCT equipment is placed.

22. To assist in the maintenance and compilation of workload statistics in POCT and the collection and recording of information for audit purposes.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Maintain good relationships amongst the staff in the POCT team and clinical teams across the Trust.

2. Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making, while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.

3. Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

PERSONAL AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (PPI)

Involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community where relevant, in developing, planning, delivering and evaluating our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI) and Co-Production. Further information is available at engage.hscni.net

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust’s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

<Insert Date of Development>

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE

SALARY

HOURS

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience/ Qualifications/ Registration

Foundation Degree/HND in a Healthcare Science related subject or equivalent OR 5 GCSE’s or equivalent at Grade C or above including a Science subject AND NVQ3 in a Laboratory Medicine related subject OR 4 years laboratory experience as a Medical Laboratory/Healthcare Scientist Assistant.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Ability to work as part of a Team

Ability to use own initiative

Good organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own workload.

Effective communications skills to meet the needs of the post in full.

Interview

Knowledge

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Experience

In depth knowledge of Point of Care equipment and a good understanding of quality assurance Procedures.

Qualifications

IBMS Training Portfolio for the Certificate of Achievement Part II.

If this post is being sought on secondment then the individual MUST have the permission of their line manager IN ADVANCE of making application.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times