There should certainly be a career structure for POCT staff and a recognition that POCT is a specialty of laboratory medicine, as it is in the US. Grade A trainee biochemists rotate through POCT during their training in many hospitals, as well as BMS staff, and the banding of some POCT Managers at 8A recognises the necessary knowledge and skills base, plus the responsibility, but there is still tremendous variation from place to place.
A push for more and more POCT, particularly in community and primary care, will be a consequence of many current strands of national policy, and much of this will be unplanned, badly implemented and high cost/high risk if there aren't more POCT professionals available to advise and manage.
There will be big changes to manage. I won't be around to see them - I retire in 6 weeks' time - but I do hope my POCT colleagues are able to continue their excellent work when I'm a patient, possibly on the receiving end of POCT, in years to come!
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
>>> "Hogan, Tim" <[log in to unmask]> 16/12/2009 17:36 >>>
...... However what we do need, is to try and
find a suitable career structure and academic training for POCT staff,
and get rid of the Co-ordinator label!
Tim Hogan
Basildon
________________________________
From: Clinical biochemistry discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Royle Chris
Sent: 15 December 2009 11:54
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: NPT or POCT co-ordinator posts
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?
.....
I would be interested in people's views,
Chris Royle
NPT Project Manager
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust
Royal Brompton Hospital
Sydney Street
LONDON
SW3 6NP
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