Point of Care Specialist

Point of Care Specialist

Full-Time Position; Day Shift; Monday - Friday 7:30am-4pm

General Summary

Under the direction of the Clinical Director of Point of Care Services and senior leadership in the UMMC Laboratories of Pathology, , performs, develops, and monitors all Point of Care testing performed at University of Maryland Medical Center and other unregulated, ambulatory sites. Trains and oversees all staff that performs Point of Care testing. Monitors the quality assurance, requirements, safety requirements, and accreditation activities as well as develops quality programs for all Point of Care testing. Independently troubleshoots and resolves all problems with Point of Care process and instrumentation. Serves as a fully effective and participative member of the multidisciplinary patient care services team.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Meet with patient care personnel, Medical Directors, Patient Care Administrators, and Nurse Managers who are requesting POC testing to determine necessity and feasibility of testing implementation. Work with departments and key stakeholders to develop and implement testing to comply with all regulatory agencies.
2. Meet with vendors to evaluate various methodologies available to determine the best fit products for our institution.
3. Write and perform validation studies on new instrumentation and all other testing procedures being implemented for POC testing under the direction of the medical director of POC.
4. Write, review, and edit standard operation procedures for the medical director to review.
5. Develop, review, and edit all training material need for annual and six month competencies for POC testing staff. Including but not limited to; competency forms, competency tests, and Power Point Learning Modules.
6. Trains designated “unit trainers” or “super users” on patient care units for each POC test on an annual basis. All competency documentation for staff performing POC testing is submitted to and reviewed by POC for accuracy and completeness. A list of competent users is maintained by POC.
7. Serves as the primary source of technical and quality advice and direction for nursing staff, physicians, and other clinical staff involved in POC testing at UMMC. Assists other UMMS facilities with point of care technical and operational issues.
8. Acts as the designee of the Clinical Director of Point of Care Services to review the quality control data, training/education of POC testing personnel, monitoring and enforcement of regulatory standards, and approval of routine analytical verification data.
9. Review all quality control records and patient testing records and reports findings to POC testing area’s leadership. Works collaboratively to resolve issues and identify improvement opportunities.
10. Maintains inventory based on departmental needs.
11. Coordinates clinical services, nursing personnel, and ancillary services to resolve technical and clinical issue associated with the operation and maintenance of Point of Care equipment and testing.
12. Develop and implement the performance and documentation of internal POC audits to assess compliance with established practices. Evaluates POC process and procedures for CLIA, TJC and CAP compliance and readiness. Serve as the representative for regulatory inspections. Assists other UMMS facilities in this process.
13. Responsible for oversight of proficiency testing for all POC tests. Investigates unsatisfactory results and writes follow up reports.
14. Participates in quality improvement initiatives with the patient care units and physician leadership. Responsible for identifying possible risks in POC processes and procedures with regard to patient and operator/tester safety. Communicates risks to appropriate personnel. Reports adverse events in Quality Improvement reports to nurse manager and submits online event reports when necessary.
15. Work with the Clinical Engineering department to insure that all POC testing sites are monitored for room and refrigerator temperature storage. Reviews weekly reports on these temperature reports.
16. With the assistance of the IT department, electronically builds testing in Point of Care software program and tests the software build to ensure patient results and quality control results are recorded and reported correctly.
17. Maintains the operation of the POC middleware computer program and serves as the resource expert for other UMMS facilities.
18. Responds to clinical and customer concerns, resolves customer issues in a confidential manner, employing integrity and discretion.
19. Interacts with personnel from other departments in a professional and organized fashion.

Renowned as the academic flagship of the University of Maryland Medical System, our Magnet®-designated facility is a nationally recognized, academic medical center with opportunities across the continuum of care.  Come join UMMC and discover the atmosphere where talents and ideas come together to enhance patient care and advance the science of nursing.  Located in downtown Baltimore near the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards, you won’t find a more vibrant place to work! 

1. Bachelor’s degree and appropriate certification by a nationally recognized program, e.g. ASCP or equivalent.
2. At least 4 years of clinical laboratory experience in an accredited hospital or reference laboratory setting is required, performing technical or quality assurance type duties.
3. At least one year of point of care experience is required.
4. Working knowledge of TJC, CLIA, and CAP regulatory requirements.
5. Completion of a point of care certification program preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Proficient knowledge of clinical laboratory processes, analytical procedures, and various laboratory equipment including routine maintenance and calibration.
2. Ability to use a computerized system for logging and tracking laboratory tests results and patient information for calibrating laboratory equipment. Ability to use software for word-processing, spreadsheets, and database management.
3. Ability to perform mathematical and statistical operations for recording and evaluating laboratory results, including mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation. Ability to follow detailed written or oral instructions accurately.
4. Effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary in order to work with medical staff in order to train, resolve problems and concerns regarding POC testing.
5. Ability to handle potentially infectious materials, such as blood and body fluid specimens, observing proper safety regulations and procedures.

Working Conditions

1. Weekend, shift work, holiday, on-call, and overtime may be required.
2. Work may require prolonged standing, walking and repetitive motion. Each 50% of the time.
3. There is potential for regular exposure to infectious diseases from the handling of blood and body fluid specimens during the preparation and testing process in the work environment, requiring observance of “Universal Precautions” by wearing personal protective clothing (apron, lab coat), gloves, and, on occasion, shoe coverings and a mask.
4. There is potential for exposure to various chemicals. Proper protocols must be followed. Training will occur and MSDS sheets will be reviewed.
5. Work requires visual acuity where applicable (e.g. using a microscope for extended periods of time).

Patient Safety

1. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
2. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
3. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

 Compensation

• Pay Range: $35.08-$52.64
• Other Compensation (if applicable):
• Review the 2024-2025 UMMS Benefits Guide.