Associate Practitioner POCT

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Key responsibilities

To act as an Associate Practitioner providing a comprehensive range of routine and specialist Biochemistry and Haematology analyses using a multitude of POCT devices, under supervision from experienced Biomedical Scientists. Provide assistance to clinical staff from within and outside the trust in relation to matters of training, quality control and preventative maintenance. To supervise POCT competency assessments for a range of POCT devices. Undertake patient testing in clinic environments following standard operating procedure, under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists. To maintain, under the supervision of qualified Biomedical Scientists, analytical equipment in optimum operational condition, taking necessary remedial action during technical failure. Respond to error messages, referring to supervisory staff where necessary, and liaising with engineers called to failing equipment. To enter patient demographic information, collate results and enter data into the laboratory IT systems. To utilise necessary interpersonal skills to ensure effective liaison with patients and other healthcare professionals to provide the best care for our patients.

Knowledge & Personal Development

To have gained an intermediate level of technical and analytical knowledge by participating in ongoing training. To ensure compliance with all local and national standards of work practice eg. ISO 15189 and 22870. To maintain the knowledge necessary to lead update training sessions, through Continuing Personal Development and in-house training. To have gained the necessary knowledge and skills sufficient to work as independently as possible, with the minimum of supervision (within SOP’s). To maintain personal and professional development by attending training, study days and workshops as and when relevant or as per instructions of the POCT Manager. Read all relevant literature provided. Maintain knowledge of operational policies and procedures through use of the departmental electronic notice board and document management system. Maintain knowledge of trust-wide policies and any appropriate policies for other trusts which you may encounter.

Advice, Guidance and Interpersonal

To deal sympathetically during liaison with patients, colleagues, other healthcare professionals and staff from external organisations. To use empathy and understanding to ensure that technical, clinical and linguistic barriers so understanding are overcome. To report results to Biomedical Scientists, clinicians and other service users in a professional manner. To provide advice to clinicians under the direction of Biomedical Scientists following the Standard Operating Procedure. To refer requests for assistance from other trusts to qualified Biomedical Scientists.

Scientific & Technical

Prioritise workload from clinic and hospital in order to deal effectively with any matters that may arise. To assess the suitability and appropriateness of samples collected at the point of care. Use own judgement and knowledge to reject unsuitable specimens and take the necessary action to obtain a subsequent sample for analysis. To refer problematic situations to a Biomedical Scientist for further action if deemed necessary. Accurately and swiftly enter patient demographic information and tests requested onto the computer system. Have a knowledge of medical terms and acronyms in order to ensure that you have an appreciation for clinical details provided. Use of Telepath computer system to gather set lists and extract information from Telepath database for general telephone enquiries by staff from other departments, surgeries or hospitals. Prompt and accurate distribution of outgoing POCT laboratory reports to wards, departments, GP practices and other hospitals. Scanning of request forms into computer database for storage. To analyse, under supervision from qualified Biomedical Scientists, specimens for screening, diagnostic and clinical management of patients using complex, specialised and expensive equipment. To make technical assessments of method and instrument performance by monitoring quality control used on specialist laboratory analytical systems, in accordance with Standard Operating procedures, seeking guidance when necessary. To perform basic troubleshooting, repairs and maintenance on specialist equipment. To refer complex problems relating to breakdown/unavailability of analytical systems to a suitably qualified Biomedical Scientist. To ensure satisfactory completion of routine and specialist biochemistry analyses.

Equality and Diversity

It is the responsibility of every member of staff to understand our equality and diversity commitments and statutory obligations under current equality legislation (the Equality Act 2010) and to:

Act in ways that support equality and diversity and recognises the importance of people’s rights in accordance with legislation, policies, procedures and good practice. Valuing people as individuals and treating everyone with dignity and respect, consideration and without prejudice, respecting diversity and recognising peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices in working with others and delivering appropriate services. Recognise and report behaviour that undermines equality under Trust policy. Be consciously aware of own behaviour and encourage the same levels of behaviour in colleagues. Acknowledge others’ different perspectives and recognise the diverse needs and experiences of everyone they come into contact with. With the support of managers develop an equality and diversity objective through the personal development review process.

Values and Behaviours

We are Caring

We treat people equitably and value their different experiences.

We know we are doing this when:

We value everyone for their unique contribution to our Trust whatever their diverse backgrounds

We are kind, always showing compassion

We praise good effort and good results, always showing appreciation

We are Fair

We are good role models (to each other and the public we serve), being accountable for what we do and how we behave.

We know we are doing this when:

We are confident in presenting new ideas – we speak up and we support our colleagues to do the same, particularly those colleagues from diverse backgrounds

We are open and honest

We learn from mistakes, aiming to get things right first time, exploring new ideas when we can

We Are Innovative

We work as one team to deliver, improve and transform care through continuous improvement.

We know we are doing this when:

We are professional, always seeking to do the right thing

We create and share knowledge with patients, each other and our professional communities

We continuously strive to make things better and to pioneer new ways of doing things

Infection Prevention & Control

All staff will adhere to infection control policies and procedures at all times and carry out role specific duties as per roles and responsibilities.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality/Data Protection regarding all personal information and Trust activity must be maintained at all times (both in and out of working hours). All staff should ensure that they are familiar with and adhere to all Trust privacy, confidentiality and security policies and procedures. Any breach of confidentiality will be taken seriously and appropriate disciplinary action taken.

Freedom of Information

In accordance with Freedom of Information and other associated legislation, the Trust may be required to make public recorded information available upon a request, or do this as part of a publication scheme. Please note, that in your public role, your name or job role may be contained in a document that is published in accordance with such legislation.

Management of Risk & Health and Safety

All employees have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to themselves or to others and to co-operate with the Trust in meeting its statutory requirements. All employees will proactively contribute to the management of risk by identifying hazards in the workplace which have the potential to cause harm, raising issues of concern and risk to the appropriate level.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

All trust employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and well being of children and vulnerable adults. Familiarisation with and adherence to trust Safeguarding policies is an essential requirement of all employees, as is participation in related mandatory/statutory training.

IT Skills

All staff are expected to have or to gain a minimum of basic level IT skills to enable them to use the Trust IT systems to support Trust services and needs. All staff should be familiar with relevant IT systems and security policies and procedures.

Records Management

All staff are personally responsible for record keeping. A record is anything that contains information in any medium e.g. paper, tapes, computer information, etc. which have been created or gathered as a result of any NHS activity. All individuals within the Trust are responsible for any records they create or use. Please ensure that records are retained in accordance with the Records Management Policy and are stored in a manner that allows them to be easily located in the event of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

Information Quality

All staff must ensure complete and accurate data is collected to the highest standard at all times. Data collection should be supported by adequate documentation and processes should be regularly reviewed. Staff should ensure that processes conform to national standards and are fit for purpose. All staff should comply with the Information Quality Policy.

Professional Responsibility

As per any required registration & LUHFT policy.

For the complete Job description and personal specification please see attached documents