Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Associate Practitioner

The closing date is 15 September 2025

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Point of Care Testing (POCT) team at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) as a Band 4 Associate Practitioner in a permanent position. The POCT team delivers essential diagnostic services across BHT and associated community locations throughout Buckinghamshire.

The service provides a high-quality, responsive approach to supporting POCT devices and training clinical users. Devices include blood gas analysers, glucose and ketone meters, urinalysis, CRP, and pregnancy testing platforms.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working closely with clinical teams and thrives in a dynamic healthcare environment. We're seeking a charismatic, engaging individual with strong communication and presentation skills. Previous experience in POCT or pathology is desirable. Candidates should be highly organised, self-motivated, and able to work both independently and collaboratively. The ability to perform under pressure and maintain high professional standards is essential. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to achieving the highest professional standards and have proof of engagement with continuous professional development processes.

Main duties of the job

The post holder would be required to work as a member of the POCT team and work at all BHT hospital sites (Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Wycombe General Hospital and Amersham) and associated community sites. The working times would be 37.5 hours from Monday to Friday.

Main duties include:

To be proficient in the use of all Point of Care devices currently used within the Trust e.g. Blood Gas Analysers, Glucose Monitors, Pregnancy testing
To assist and support the POCT Team in providing a professional POCT service
To contribute to the efficient and effective running of the POCT service as appropriate
Monitor users of these devices follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) devised by the Point of Care Manager, advising the POCT Lead BMS of non-compliance.
Solve routine problems with Point of Care devices, calling on the POCT Manager/ POCT BMS Lead for more serious problems and / or the maintenance engineers where appropriate.
To train clinical, nursing and laboratory staff in the use of POCT equipment, ensuring compliance with Trust POCT guidelines and procedure.
Support the POCT Manager in the investigation of incidents and errors if required, to ensure service improvement.
Please refer to JD for full list of main duties.

About us

Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! - BHT - A great place to work (buckshealthcare.nhs.uk)

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
We offer flexible and agile workingopportunities,alongside your NHS benefits ofgenerous annual leave entitlement, pension andaccess toNHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

Why work for us?

We're committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
Greater diversity withinourBHT familyimprovespositive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.

What do we stand for?

Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.

Date posted

01 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

434-SCS7357128

Job locations

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.

If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

Good general education standard
GCSE Maths, English and at least one science subject or equivalent

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

An understanding of Quality Control and Assurance.
Able to work as part of a team
Excellent verbal communication skills able to communicate technical matters with users at all levels of understanding
Excellent presentation skills
Ability to think logically and demonstrate good acumen to solve problems
Ability to carry out repairs and maintenance with specialist tools with the necessary dexterity and care
Concentration and attention to detail.
Able to follow written methodologies or protocols
Good knowledge of Basic Microsoft packages.

Desirable

Ability to work under own initiative, prioritise work, and to achieve agreed schedules

Special Circumstances

Essential

Ability to travel to locations throughout Buckinghamshire

Desirable

Work internal rotation
Flexible working as required

Experience

Essential

Work experience of working in a Biomedical laboratory
Work experience with POCT devices
Working knowledge of Biomedical techniques and practises
Evidence of continuing professional development.
Further technical training relevant to the role
Working as a member of a team
Experience with responding to frequent queries from service users by telephone, email and in person.
Able to handle working with body fluid samples
Experience of taking responsibility for own standards of work
Experience of using general office software packages

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

Good general education standard
GCSE Maths, English and at least one science subject or equivalent

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

An understanding of Quality Control and Assurance.
Able to work as part of a team
Excellent verbal communication skills able to communicate technical matters with users at all levels of understanding
Excellent presentation skills
Ability to think logically and demonstrate good acumen to solve problems
Ability to carry out repairs and maintenance with specialist tools with the necessary dexterity and care
Concentration and attention to detail.
Able to follow written methodologies or protocols
Good knowledge of Basic Microsoft packages.

Desirable

Ability to work under own initiative, prioritise work, and to achieve agreed schedules

Special Circumstances

Essential

Ability to travel to locations throughout Buckinghamshire

Desirable

Work internal rotation
Flexible working as required

Experience

Essential

Work experience of working in a Biomedical laboratory
Work experience with POCT devices
Working knowledge of Biomedical techniques and practises
Evidence of continuing professional development.
Further technical training relevant to the role
Working as a member of a team
Experience with responding to frequent queries from service users by telephone, email and in person.
Able to handle working with body fluid samples
Experience of taking responsibility for own standards of work
Experience of using general office software packages

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL

Employer's website

https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL

Employer's website

https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)