Point of Care Testing Section Lead

Transformationunitgm; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier NHS Trust in Plymouth seeks a Point of Care Testing Section Lead to manage POCT services, ensuring high standards and staff training. Ideal candidates will have a Master's in Biomedical Science and experience in pathology and staff supervision. This full-time role offers a competitive salary of £47,810 - £54,710 per annum, plus the opportunity to make a significant impact within a collaborative healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in staff supervision and competency-based training.
• Demonstrable knowledge of POCT and pathology principles.
• Experience in collaborative working between healthcare teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage POCT technical services and ensure scientific excellence.
• Maintain high professional standards and oversee staff training.
• Lead provision of Point of Care Testing within the Trust.

Skills

Proven ability to lead service improvement

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Time management and organisational skills

Education

Master’s degree in Biomedical Science or relevant field

Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Job description

Employer University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Derriford Hospital Town Plymouth Salary £47,810 - £54,710 £47,810 - £54,710 Per Anum Salary period Yearly Closing 28/01/2026 23:59

Point of Care Testing Section Lead

NHS AfC: Band 7

Job overview

1. To take responsibility for the management and coordination of a defined section of the department with specific reference to నమోదు, implementation and maintenance of Health & Safety issues, Quality Systems, including all accreditation standards and Personnel matters.
2. To undertake scientific duties in POCT as required in order to facilitate the smooth running of the service.
3. Deliver the Pathology POCT strategy across UHP sites and community‑based point of care activities.
4. To provide a clinical technical service by performing routine and specialist analytical testing on a range of biological samples.
5. Takes the practical lead in the development and implementation of the UHP Point of Care policies.
6. To maintain and run specialist equipment of the section.
7. To possess the skills required to provide the necessary training and supervision of state‑registered Biomedical Scientists (BMS), Trainee BMS and support staff within their section of the department.
8. To assist the Laboratory Manager & Lead BMS in the management of the laboratory.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will directly manage a group of Biomedical Scientists and support staff, typically up to 10.
• The post holder in collaboration with the Lead BMS, Lab Manager and Consultant Clinical staff will provide a timely, high quality, accurate and cost‑effective service.
• Take a lead role in the provision of Point of Care Testing within the Trust within the constraints of clinical need and cost and based on best national practice.
• To provide highly visible, effective leadership and management of Point of Care services.
• Facilitate to undertake research projects, quality improvement projects and clinical audit, both independently and in collaboration with Regional and National programmes.
• Ensure cost‑effective use of Trust resources. Advise on the acquisition, procurement and implementation of medical devices and-medical devices and Point of Care devices with support from the Senior Management Team.
• To work with colleagues from across DCL to provide efficient, multidisciplinary support to local Teams, the Trust and the wider health care community.
• The post holder will ensure continued provision and access to key POCT services by community teams and ward staff.

Working for our organisation

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicatedRefined staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. All communication will odl be electronic – please check your email account regularly and keep an eye on your junk folder. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process, please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will తీవు you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work‑life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full‑time/flexible working for our advertised roles – please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in eachpal case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Managerial Responsibilities

• Lead and manage POCT technical services, ensuring scientific and technical excellence.
• Maintain high professional standards and ensure staff meet speed, quality and accuracy requirements.
• Oversee induction, training and competency records for all staff.
• Manage staffing levels to allow mandatory training while maintaining a safe service.
• Support training for junior medical staff and Clinical Scientists.
• Collaborate and supervise staff, working with senior management as needed.
• Develop and maintain continuous service review and quality improvement programmes.
• Ensure compliance with UKAS ISO15189 and MHRA standards.
• Establish and audit procedures and protocols within your section.
• Manage stock control and ordering ensuring safe and tidy storage.
• Promote efficiency measures and share best practices.
• Produce and maintain SOPs, protocols, and policies.
• Implement procedural changes and communicate updates.
• Maintain security and confidentiality of documents and records.
• Ensure accurate record‑keeping and equipment maintenance.
• Provide statistical and workload data as required.
• Ensure adherence to internal and external quality control procedures.
• Establish flexible working systems to optimise equipment use.
• Promote health and safety compliance and investigate incidents.
• Ensure value for moneyAlive Purchasing and maximise supplier discounts.
• Support income‑generation initiatives.
• Conduct monthly budget checks and monitor contract spend.
• Maintain and provide financial data for management and charging purposes.

Human Resources

• Complete annual అల్వెస్ట్ appraisal, set objectives and monitor progress.
• Manage annual leave and ensure adequate staffing.
• Recruit staff and manage sickness in line with policy.
• Promote teamwork and uphold Trust values.
• Monitor staff conduct, timekeeping and safety.
• Support change management initiatives.

Communication

• Respond to complaints and report to senior management.
• Communicate meeting content and operational updates to all staff.
• Maintain clear communication lines and attend relevant meetings.
• Liaise with clinical staff and suppliers to ensure service quality.
• Act as mentor during staff induction and ensure daily handovers.
• Verify and validate POCT methods for patient safety.

Scientific & Professional

• Evaluate new equipment, methods and techniques.
• Plan and prioritise workload, perform urgent analyses and troubleshoot complex equipment.
• Oversee POCT equipment use and maintenance across Trust and Primary Care.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety regulations.
• Maintain instruments, quality control, and service logs.
• Deliver POCT training and support healthcare professionals.
• Process biological samples and offr1. authorized results for diagnosis and treatment.
• Perform complex analytical techniques and report sensitive results.
• Understand pathology and clinical significance of results.
• Identify abnormal results and request additional tests as needed.
• Operate and maintain analytical equipment and prepare calibration materials.
• Ensure quality control procedures and corrective actions.
• Participate in CPD, audits, research Compost, teaching programs.
• Implement new technology and working practices.
• Prepare Clinical Governance reports and support income generation.

Working Relationships

• Accountable to Laboratory Manager via Lead BMS.
• Collaborate with clinical with NHS colleagues and POCT suppliers.
• Legislative sure culture continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

Other Requirements

• Adhere to Trust policies, confidentiality and governance standards.
• Attend mandatory training and maintain professional development.
• Comället compliance with safeguarding, infection control and risk management policies.
• Participate in 24/7 rotas if applicable.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Person specification

Knowledge & Experience

• Ability to demonstrate and apply proven knowledge of the Pathology of disease in one or more disciplines within DCL.
• Specialist proven knowledge and demonstrable experience in the technical field of a Pathology discipline.
• Proven experience in staff supervision, development, and competency‑based training.
• Demonstrable experience of collaborative working between distinct healthcare teams to deliver gains for the wider healthcare community.
• Proven knowledge and experience of POCT.
• Ability to interpret POCT results and escalat clinical concerns appropriately.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a Biomedical Science or other relevant scientific discipline aligned to pathology or POCT, or significant equivalent demonstrable experience.
• Proven evidence of compliance with HCPC standards of proficiency and commitment to ongoing CPE.
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (FIBMSPrimary) by examination.
• Completion of a Specialist Biomedical Scientist portfolio in any relevant discipline.
• Trust recognised trained risk assessor.

APTITUDE & ABILITIES

• Proven ability to lead service improvement and change initiatives, engaging stakeholders across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY INCLUDING YOUR JUNK FOLDER.

If you need support with the online application process or require reasonable adjustments with the application and/or interview process please contact the recruiting manager for this post.

We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants about less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. We recommend contacting the manager of the role prior to applying and we commit to giving requests full consideration.

We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles. We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included .

It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.

Please note that if you are successful and accept the position you agree that the staff Health and wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests. This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.

ilig for Doctors Roles:

• Unsolicited CVs and Candidate Profiles/Details
  University Hospitals Plymouth has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CVs from agencies.
• We do, however, work with a defined list of preferred HTE Framework suppliers who may be invited to support us in sourcing candidates for particular roles.
• In line with our preferred supplier list, we only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and an agency has been instructed by a member of the Trust’s Medical Workforce team.
• We do not pay agency fees where speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to the Trust or Trust employees by any other means than the official route above. Where this is not observed გამოხ the Trust reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and initiate discussions without payment of any agency fee.
• Any candidate details (whether written or spoken) or CVs that are referred directly will not constitute an introduction. The Trust will under no circumstances be responsible for any recruitment fees in relation to these contacts.
• Submission of any unsolicited CVs, candidate’s details and/or proposals to the Trust will not be considered further and will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this Agency Protocol.
• In order to establish and maintain good working relationships with the Trust’s agency supplies, we ask thatvermogen policy is adhered to and thank you for your co-operation.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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