Point of Care Testing

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.  The IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice (CEP) in Point of Care Testing is assessed through two assessment pieces and an online examination:

• Your first assessment piece should critically capture how the discussion forums have assisted your learning during the course 
• Your second assessment piece should show what you will change in your own practice as a result of doing this course and the steps you would take to do so
• The online examination lasts 90 minutes with 42 questions in total composed of 36 multiple-choice and six short answer questions covering all course modules.

We will start taking applications for the 2022 course in mid-August 2021. The course dates for 2022 are stated below. Please note that each module will last two weeks apart from the module in which Easter falls, which in 2022 is during module six, which following feedback from those who undertook the CEP in 2021, will last three weeks.

Applications for 2022 open	W/C 16 August 2021
Closing date for applications	10 December 2021
Log-in details available	First week of January 2022
Introductory Module	7 January
Module 1	21 January
Module 2	4 February
Module 3	18 February
One week break	4 March
Deadline for submission of first assessment piece	10 March
Module 4	11 March
Module 5	25 March
Module 6	8 April
Finish	28 April
Examination	12 May
Exam Result Notification	6 June
Examination (Re-sits)	16 June
Deadline for submission of second assessment piece	17 June
Results Released	12 July
Certificates Sent Out	W/C 18 July

You will be award an IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in Point of Care Testing on successful completion of the course.

To undertake this CEP you must have active 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. 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 £690 (for the 2022 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.

Please note that candidates will only be allowed to undertake one of the four distance learning courses at a time.

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