Point of Care Testing
Develop your knowledge and skills in Point of Care Testing (POCT)
This course is essential for anyone preparing to manage a POCT service managing and also existing POCT managers who feel they would benefit from some supported learning to help them manage an expanding workload and a workforce of largely non-laboratory staff.
Topics include
- The specific challenges related to POCT compliance with accreditation standards
- strategies to overcome these challenges - POCT requests, handling of POCT results as well as training and competence assessments of individuals performing POCT
- Factors to consider when implementing connectivity between POCT instruments and the electronic medical record.
Course content and assessment
After a common introductory module the course comprises of six modules as follows:
• An Introduction to POCT
• Quality and Accreditation in POCT
• Principles of Measurement - Analytical Considerations
• Development of a Service Need
• Connectivity and Data Management in POCT
• Training in POCT
See below for details for the course dates. More information on the learning outcomes for each module can be found here You can access course content through a designated area of the Ulster University's website, which includes candidate email and discussion forums.
CEP Course Information Summary
More information on the Certificate of Expert Practice qualifications including the reflective tasks within the modules, the expectations around participants involvement in the discussions forums and how the qualification is assessed can be found here.
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Course dates
The course dates for 2025 are stated below. Please note that each module last two weeks apart from the module in which Easter falls, which in 2025 is at the start of module six, that module will last three weeks.
| Applications for 2025 open |
W/C 19 August 2024 |
| Closing date for applications |
13 December |
| Log-in details available |
W/C 13 January |
| Introductory Module |
17 January |
| Module 1 |
31 January |
| Module 2 |
14 February |
| Module 3 |
28 February |
| One week break |
14 March |
| Deadline for submission of first assessment piece |
20 March |
| Module 4 |
21 March |
| Module 5 |
4 April |
| Module 6 |
18 April |
| Finish |
8 May |
| Examination |
22 May |
| Deadline for submission of second assessment piece |
13 June |
| Exam Result Notification |
16 June |
| Examination (Re-sits) |
26 June |
| Results Released |
15 July |
| Certificates Sent Out |
W/C 21 July |
You will be awarded an IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in Point of Care Testing on successful completion of the course and you will be eligible to upgrade to a Member of the IBMS.
How to apply
To undertake this CEP you must have active Licentiate (LIBMS), Member (MIBMS) or Fellow (FIBMS) status of the IBMS at the point of application and you must maintain your membership throughout the duration of the qualification. When the application window opens to apply you will need to submit via email to the IBMS Examinations Team:
- a completed Certificate of Expert Practice in Point of Care Testing Application Form
- your payment of £770 (for the 2025 intake)
Payment can be made via Purchase Order (which should accompany the completed application form) or by card payment. If you wish to pay by card, you will be contacted for your card payment details once the application form has been received. On the application form you are requested to briefly describe why you are applying to undertake the qualification.
Your application will not be accepted or rejected based on what is stated instead this information is being requested simply to enable us to understand your level of experience and the motivation for applying. Candidates are only allowed to undertake one of the CEP courses at a time. Please note that the number of candidates for this CEP in 2025 is limited to 60. Places will be awarded on a first come first served basis.
Update 8 January 2025 - The application window for the 2025 running of this CEP has now closed. The application window for the 2026 running of this CEP will open later in the year and information will be published in due course.
Grant Funding (Updated 6 January 2025) - At the present there is no funding available for employers of candidates undertaking this CEP in 2025 in any part of the UK. If this changes information will be made available on this page and all eligible candidates will also be informed directly.
Resources
You can find articles and online resources to support you in completing an IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in POCT in our Resources section
Deferrals, withdrawals and mitigating circumstances
If you wish to defer, withdraw or highlight any mitigating circumstances please contact examinations@ibms.org as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about the IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in POCT please contact examinations@ibms.org