Yes, it's a good sign that more Trusts are approving business cases for POCT Managers/Coordinators.
My view is that since the POCT we are talking about is laboratory testing which is performed at the point of care, usually by non-laboratory staff, it needs someone with appropriate qualifications who understands laboratory testing, quality issues, standards (including accreditation) and is either based in the lab or liaises closely with the lab. Many decisions about implementing POCT depend on an understanding of how the current service might instead be adapted to meet the clinical need - probably more cheaply than POCT. Understanding of different methodologies, interferences, reference ranges and action limits (ensuring that they are comparable) is also essential if patients have results from the lab and from POCT. Few nurses are likely to have this knowledge, but perhaps some may be willing to acquire them to an appropriate level.
You are quite right about the need for POCT staff to be sensitive to the very different professional training, mindsets and culture of the clinical staff (mainly nurses) who do POCT, and I think the necessary skills, to include preparation of appropriate training materials and training delivery, good communication, negotiating and influencing skills, tactfully authoritative and so on, should probably be explicit among the significant skill set which POCT Managers need to have. However, speaking for my POCT colleagues here and the many I know around the country, I think they are all well aware of this and have probably reached their POCT management level via much work at a more junior level on the wards with glucose meters, urinalysis and blood gas analysers. This experience will tell them (and their colleagues) whether they are really suited to the role.
I think POCT work is fascinating, because it requires skills and a wide understanding in science, technology, IT, clinical issues, management, finance, and a whole range of interpersonal skills to be used with many different professional groups. And I don't like the term "coordinator" - it implies just keeping in touch with what's going on - "manager" is better because managing POCT is what is necessary these days, including using management skills with people over whom you have no authority!
Dr MJ Pearson
Department of Clinical Biochemistry & Immunology
Old Medical School
Leeds General Infirmary (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)
LEEDS LS1 3EX
UK
tel (44)-[0]113-392-3945
fax (44)-[0]113 392-3453.
http://www.leedsth.nhs.uk
>>> Royle Chris <[log in to unmask]> 15/12/2009 11:53 >>>
Dear all,
We are seeing an increasing number of adverts for NPT (or POCT) co-ordinator posts.
What are people's views on the professional background from which applicants should come from?
Most of us assume that it should be a BMS background, probably biased towards a Biochemistry trained / qualified / experienced person, (but should also encompass Haematology BMSs, due to the increase in the amount of Haematology related NP testing, especially clotology).
Do people think that an applicant from a Nursing background would / could be appropriate (cf. blood transfusion SPOT)? Nursing staff perform a lot of the NP testing, and someone who understands the nursing point of view and who could communicate effectively could be a huge advantage. With few and notable exceptions, BMS staff do not get out of the lab enough to understand the pressures / hierarchies etc. etc. and dare I say it, perhaps do not communicate well with the outside world (a vital function IMHO of the role of NPT co-ordinator). But perhaps that is not seen as a disadvantage.
And what about Clinical Engineers and ODAs who often do a lot of NP testing? Should they be encouraged to apply?
I would be interested in people's views,
Thanks,
Chris
Chris Royle
NPT Project Manager
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust
Royal Brompton Hospital
Sydney Street
LONDON
SW3 6NP
e mail [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
tel 020 7351 8413 (direct line)
DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this email may be subject to public disclosure under the NHS Code of Openness or the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Unless the information is legally exempt from disclosure, the confidentiality of this email, and your reply cannot be guaranteed.
The information and material in this email is intended for the use of the intended addressee or the person responsible for delivering it to the intended addressee. It may contain privileged or confidential information and/or copyright material.
If you receive this email by mistake please advise the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your email software or notify Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust Help Desk on +44(0) 20 7351 8696
Communication is not sent through a secure server; Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of outgoing electronic mail. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not represent the view of Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust unless specifically stated.
------ACB discussion List Information--------
This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical
community working in clinical biochemistry.
Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed
via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and
they are responsible for all message content.
ACB Web Site
http://www.acb.org.uk
List Archives
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html
List Instructions (How to leave etc.)
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/
------ACB discussion List Information--------
This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical
community working in clinical biochemistry.
Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed
via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and
they are responsible for all message content.
ACB Web Site
http://www.acb.org.uk
List Archives
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html
List Instructions (How to leave etc.)
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/
|