Pathology Laboratory, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7
Procedure: Job Description Chief Medical Scientist
Biochemistry/Endocrinology POCT
Author: Helen Kavanagh
Authorised by:
Active Date:
Filename: MF-CCEJobDesCMSPOCT
Edition: 1.01
Page: 1 of 5
JOB DESCRIPTION
1 Job Title
2 Location
3 Record Filename
Chief Medical Scientist
Biochemistry
MF-BIO-JobDesCMS/POCT
4 Organisational Chart
Director of
Laboratories
Clinical Consultant
Head of
Department
Principal
Biochemists
Chief Medical
Scientists
Laboratory
Manager
Chief Medical
Scientist
Biochemistry/
Endocrinology
Manager
Chief Medical
Scientist
POCT
Senior
Biochemists
Senior Medical
Scientists
Biochemist
Medical Scientists
Medical
Laboratory Aide
Denotes reporting relationship
Denotes liaising relationship
Management form
Pathology Laboratory, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7
Procedure: Job Description Chief Medical Scientist
Biochemistry/Endocrinology POCT
Author: Helen Kavanagh
Authorised by:
Active Date:
Filename: MF-CCEJobDesCMSPOCT
Edition: 1.01
Page: 2 of 5
5 Purpose of the job
The post holder will:
 Lead the professional organisation and management of a comprehensive Point of Care
Testing (POCT) service, to reflect the hospitals commitment to patient focused care and
high quality.
 In co operation with the Chief Medical Scientist, Biochemistry/Diagnostic Endocrinology
(CCE) Manager, and the Chief Medical Scientists in the relevant departments, co ordinate
a team of scientists who support POCT on a rotational basis, creating and promoting
healthy working relationships.
 Identify and implement operational processes to the standard of best practice in order to
optimize use of resources
 Co-operate with relevant Departments in establishing costing methods for the POCT
service to other Hospital Departments / Clinical Units
 Maintain the POCT quality management programme, which is patient centered and which
measures and audits performance and client satisfaction.
6 Main duties and responsibilities
The person appointed will:
 Maintain throughout the Hospital awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all
Hospital activities.
 Lead the professional organisation and management of a comprehensive Point of Care
Testing (POCT) service to include:
 Ensure the adherence to MMUH POCT Steering Committee guidelines throughout
the hospital in relation to the selection and suitability of particular testing services to
be provided. Advise and develop the POCT service to meet clinical needs within
these guidelines.
 Chair and co ordinate Pathology POCT Operational Committee.
 Liaise with Intensivists (ITU), Perfusionists (Theatre), CNM (Diabetic Day Centre),
Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), MMUH Clinical Engineering, Procurement
Manager and Information Management Services (IMS) and others as required.
 Lead the process of tendering for new POCT equipment and services in
conjunction with Procurement Manager and Information Management Services
(IMS) and specialists from the relevant disciplines.
 Ensure devices for POCT fulfill the requirements of National Guidelines and
legislation and IVD Directives, POCT Standard ISO 22870 and Quality
Management Standard ISO 15189, hospital accreditation standards and other
relevant standards.
 Respond and communicate IVD Alerts from IMB and also report any IVD problems
to IMB.
 Ensure procedures in place comply with Hospital and HSE requirements in relation
to Data protection, patient confidentiality and Risk Management.
 Maintain a register of Point of Care analysers in use.
 Perform and manage the maintenance and support programme for existing and
new POCT analysers, this also includes critical care and POCT analysers based in
Management form
Pathology Laboratory, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7
Procedure: Job Description Chief Medical Scientist
Biochemistry/Endocrinology POCT
Author: Helen Kavanagh
Authorised by:
Active Date:
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Filename: MF-CCEJobDesCMSPOCT
Edition: 1.01
Page: 3 of 5
the CCE laboratory. This includes provision of advice on all aspects of POCT use,
with the delegation of maintenance duties as appropriate.
 Monitor POCT activity on site or remotely ensuring the highest quality of results.
 Oversee the programme of Internal Quality Control (IQC) and External Quality
Assessment (EQA) for POCT where appropriate.
 Ensure that a suitable training programme is in place for all POCT operators and
that a register of trained personnel is maintained.
 In co-operation with Nursing and Medical staff maintain a training scheme for all
POCT operators.
 Support operator competency assessment as appropriate.
Participate with the Consultant Head of Department and the Chief Medical Scientist, CCE
Manager in identifying and implementing operational processes to the standard of ‘best
practice’ in order to optimise use of resources.
Participate, as required, with the Consultant Head of Department and Chief Medical
Scientist CCE Manager, in costing methods for delivering the POCT service.
Participate in the implementation of a quality management programme, which is patient
centered and which measures and audits performance and user satisfaction.
Actively participate in and promote continuing education and research activities consistent
with the position.
Promote open communications throughout the hospital.
Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of the hospital.
Report to the Chief Medical Scientist, CCE Manager.
Be accountable to the Consultant Head of Department on clinical issues and to the
Chairman of the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital POCT committee.
Liaise on POCT issues with Chief Medical Scientists and POCT representatives in other
disciplines.
7 General responsibilities
7.1 Management
In cooperation with the Laboratory Management Team, Consultant Head of Department and
Chief Medical Scientist, CCE Manager;
 Develop and lead the POCT programme including the introduction of new ideas and
methods according to hospital policy.
 Supervise and delegate as appropriate, the registration, custody and stock levels of POCT
reagents, and other inventory; this will require competency in the use of the ‘Agresso’
management system.
 Receive and record details concerning non conformances, complaints and defects in
supplies and equipment, investigate the circumstances with appropriate team members
and take the necessary corrective and preventative actions and report the findings as
required.
 Ensure that policy relating to Pathology Laboratory record keeping is followed.
 Evaluate equipment, consumable items as appropriate.
Management form
Pathology Laboratory, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7
Procedure: Job Description Chief Medical Scientist
Biochemistry/Endocrinology POCT
Author: Helen Kavanagh
Authorised by:
Active Date:
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Filename: MF-CCEJobDesCMSPOCT
Edition: 1.01
Page: 4 of 5
Facilitate arrangements, where appropriate, to introduce professional and/or other visitors
to the Clinical Biochemistry/ Diagnostic Endocrinology Laboratory/ POCT in co operation
with Chief Medical Scientist, CCE Manager.
Co-ordinate and carry out the Major Emergency Plan for isolated incidents or multiple
traumas according to Laboratory Management Team policy.
Facilitate arrangements in the POCT service for education and training of undergraduates,
interns and post-graduate students.
Implement POCT quality management system, including but not limited to Pathology
Laboratory accreditation.
Produce an annual POCT report and Service Plan as part of the CCE Annual
Management Review.
Provide assistance to Chief Medical Scientists in all relevant disciplines to produce an
annual POCT report and Service Plan.
Participate on hospital and/or external committees as required.
Participate in the provision of appropriate statistical and management information.
Make the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for
both patient care and administrative support in a manner, which integrates well with
systems throughout the organisation.
7.2
Financial
In co-operation with the Laboratory Management team, Consultant Head of Department and
The Chief Medical Scientist and with the support of the financial department:
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Ensure most effective use of available resources
Prepare budget estimates including a planned programme for replacing POCT equipment
Maintain an asset register of appropriate POCT equipment, in conjunction with the Asset
Register in the hospital
Provide appropriate statistical and management information
Contribute to the preparation of an annual report and service plan in consultation
Management Team.
7.3 Staff Management
In co-operation with the Pathology Finance Resource Operational Group, Laboratory
Management team, Consultant Head of Department, Chief Medical Scientist and with the
support of the human resources department and the MMUH Operational Management team:
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Participate as appropriate in selection and training of staff rostered to support the POCT
service.
Promote by example, a professional, punctual and dedicated team with good open
communications
Create and promote healthy working relationships and stimulate initiative among staff
Motivate team members by agreeing goals and objectives, in keeping with the laboratory
staff development plan.
Management form
Pathology Laboratory, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin 7
Procedure: Job Description Chief Medical Scientist
Biochemistry/Endocrinology POCT
Author: Helen Kavanagh
Authorised by:
Active Date:
Filename: MF-CCEJobDesCMSPOCT
Edition: 1.01
Page: 5 of 5
7.4
Information Technology
In co-operation with the Laboratory Management team, Consultant Head of Department and
Chief Medical Scientist, CCE Manager and with the support of the IMS department participate
in
 Ensuring that staff make the most effective and efficient use of developments in information
technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner which integrates
well with systems throughout the hospital.
 Collecting, interpreting and presenting data and information, as appropriate and required,
on the POCT activity, staffing and expenditure.
7.5 Health and Safety
 The chosen candidate will participate in ensuring that effective safety procedures are in
place to comply not only with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act but also within
the spirit of the Hospitals mission, vision and values, and that they are known and followed
by the POCT co ordinators.
 Assist and co-operate with the Laboratory Management team in developing procedures to
be followed in preventing and managing accidents occurring in the laboratory area.
8 Annual Joint review
Participate in annual joint review with laboratory management to consider:
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Stated objectives and plans of the laboratory
Job description of the staff member
Personal objectives of the staff member
Training and development needs of the staff member
Job holder’s signature
Date:
Chief Medical Scientist’s /
Date:
Laboratory Manager signature
NOTE: the extent and speed of change in the delivery of health care is such that adaptability
is essential in this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain and enhance their
professional knowledge, skills and aptitudes necessary to respond to a changing situation.
The job description must be regarded as an outline of the major areas of accountability in the
present time, which will be reviewed and assessed on an on-going basis.
Management form