Amid growing recognition of the importance of point-of-care (POC) testing in Australia, many healthcare systems across the country are creating positions for point-of-care coordinators (POCC). To better understand what POCCs do and what it takes to become one, Lab Insights spoke with Diep Nguyen, the sole POCC at Alfred Health, one of the largest healthcare institutions in Victoria, Australia.

What does a typical day as a POCC look like at Alfred Health?

My day-to-day responsibilities mean being the key contact for users of POC external to pathology, as well as the laboratory oversight of the blood gas instruments and other devices used in emergency departments, operating theatres, clinics and so on. This can involve consulting on what might be available for an interested clinical group to evaluate performance, introducing and implementing POC devices in the organisation. For the most part, it’s making sure we comply with national standards and requirements in our policies and procedures across personnel and POC devices, which requires regular interactions with multiple departments.

As the originator in the role, in my early days I spent a lot of time discovering all the devices in use across the health service that needed support. Having discovered and documented them I developed a robust governance framework, which involved engaging with users that had little idea of how to approach the quality management issues that ensures safe reliable results.

Typical responsibilities involve understanding the particular instrument manufacturer’s operating requirements, running training and competency assessments; participating in internal and external quality control performance reviews; and maintaining standing operating procedures in accordance with the organisation’s document control policies. I also provide support with inventory management and monitor purchasing costs and budgeting.

I primarily look after POC devices which are connected to the Alfred Health’s laboratory information system (LIS). As for POC devices that are not connected to the LIS, we are looking at strategies to get them integrated into the LIS to prevent human error during data and results transfer to a patient’s electronic medical record.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted you as a POCC?

It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic has put immense pressure on healthcare systems, with added pressure and responsibilities to our day-to-day activities. Due to the stretch of resources and staffing, implementation and introductions of any new POC devices meant that training and competency were required at a very rapid rate.

What is the typical career path for becoming a POCC?

In my case, I graduated from RMIT in 2010 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Laboratory Medicine. After graduating, I was employed here at Alfred Health—first as a scientist in the biochemistry department and since 2018, in my current role within the Alfred Pathology service.

Most of the POCCs I’ve had interactions with have a strong foundation in a clinical laboratory setting. I think the person needs to be highly organised, have great interpersonal skills to bring people together, be able to manage multiple stakeholders across the organisation, and also be open-minded to different workflows, as not all are as robust and established as those in a clinical lab.

Most POCCs are trained by senior POCCs and quality management teams. This allows for a more fluid approach to training as each hospital setting can have different styles, ways and structures of implementing POC testing. The role is definitely highly dynamic so learning on the job is very important.

Where is Australia today in recognising POCC as a profession?

POCC is certainly a developed role in Australia compared to other countries. In Australia, I think it has definitely increased in its prominence and identity through technology enhancement and a stronger hospital framework for patient care. I think Australia strives to be at the forefront of improving patient outcomes with high-quality standardised testing and rapid results.

In my time participating in external events geared towards the POCC community, I tend to see a lot of colleagues in this field coming from Australia. I think this is because Australia recognises the risk of POC testing to patient care.

What does the future of POCC look like to you?

Looking ahead, I’d like to see a greater understanding of the responsibilities of a POCC and the risks associated with POC testing without governance. The introduction of the NPAAC [National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council] requirement for POC testing has shaped our organisation’s POC testing roadmap and has definitely identified the need for a person or a team to govern POC testing.

As for beyond health institutions, external bodies like the Australian Point of Care Practioner’s Network (APPN), the Australasian Association for Clinical Biochemistry (AACB) runs webinars, conferences and workshops which are tools for professional development. As the POCC framework is a little more scattered in Victoria compared to other regions in Australia, I worked to establish a network to connect POCCs within Victoria, and we meet once every quarter to learn from each other, and how our individual organisations are running and implementing POC strategies.