Apply for the Wits Health Consortium Point of Care Testing Officer vacancy. Grade 12, Life Science and relevant diagnostic testing experience required. Closing date: 18 August 2026.
Wits Health Consortium Point of Care Testing Officer Vacancy 2026
The Wits Health Consortium is inviting suitably qualified candidates to apply for a Point of Care Testing Officer vacancy based at healthcare facilities in South Africa. This opportunity is aimed at candidates with a Grade 12 qualification, Biology or Life Science knowledge, and relevant experience in diagnostic or point-of-care testing.
The position involves conducting Near Patient Point-of-Care (NPOC) diagnostic testing in a healthcare and clinical research environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that testing is performed accurately, safely and according to established protocols.
The role also involves maintaining testing devices, managing consumables, conducting quality control checks and accurately recording participant and test information.
The position is offered on a fixed-term basis, with the closing date listed as 18 August 2026.
About the Wits Health Consortium Opportunity
Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of the Witwatersrand and operates in the healthcare and research environment.
The Point of Care Testing Officer will work directly with healthcare facilities and study teams to support diagnostic testing services. Because the role involves clinical and research activities, applicants must be comfortable following strict procedures relating to safety, confidentiality, documentation and quality control.
The successful candidate should also be able to work independently while cooperating effectively with healthcare professionals and multidisciplinary teams.
Main Purpose of the Job
The main purpose of the Point of Care Testing Officer position is to provide accurate, timely and safe Near Patient Point-of-Care diagnostic testing at healthcare facility level.
The employee will help ensure that:
- Patients and study participants are tested correctly.
- Test results are generated and communicated promptly.
- Testing is performed according to approved protocols.
- Testing records are completed accurately at the point of care.
- Equipment remains functional and adequately supplied.
- Quality control procedures are followed.
- Participant information is handled confidentially.
- Clinical research and healthcare standards are maintained.
This makes the position suitable for candidates interested in healthcare, diagnostic testing, laboratory services and clinical research.
Key Responsibilities
Diagnostic Testing Service Delivery
The successful applicant will perform NPOC testing directly on specimens according to the relevant study protocols and standard operating procedures.
Testing must be performed accurately and efficiently to ensure that services remain accessible and results are available within the required timeframes.
The employee will need to follow testing procedures carefully and ensure that any issues affecting testing are identified and addressed appropriately.
Device Operation and Maintenance
Point-of-care testing equipment must remain operational to support daily testing activities.
The officer will be expected to:
- Operate NPOC testing devices correctly.
- Conduct routine checks of equipment.
- Identify equipment problems.
- Ensure appropriate consumables are available.
- Maintain testing areas and equipment according to procedures.
- Report technical problems when required.
Proper equipment management is important because interruptions can affect testing services and study timelines.
Infection Prevention and Safety
The position involves working with potentially infectious biological specimens. Applicants therefore need to understand and follow infection prevention, biosafety and occupational safety procedures.
Testing must be performed in a manner that protects both participants and healthcare workers.
Candidates should be comfortable working in environments where strict hygiene, specimen-handling and safety procedures are required.
Quality Control
Quality control is an important part of point-of-care testing.
The successful candidate will perform routine QC checks to identify potential problems before they affect patient or participant results.
This includes following established quality management procedures and taking corrective action when problems are identified.
Attention to detail is therefore essential for this position.
Documentation and Record-Keeping
Accurate documentation will form an important part of the employee’s daily responsibilities.
Participant information, test details, results and relevant observations must be captured in the appropriate source documents at the time of testing.
The candidate may also work with electronic data systems and must be capable of entering information accurately.
Minimum Education Requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum educational requirements for consideration.
Required
- Grade 12.
Candidates should also have relevant experience that demonstrates their ability to perform diagnostic or point-of-care testing in a healthcare or clinical environment.
Required Work Experience
Previous experience is important for this vacancy.
The employer is looking for candidates with experience in areas such as:
- Diagnostic testing.
- Point-of-care testing.
- Clinical or healthcare environments.
- Clinical research.
- Specimen collection and handling.
- Specimen transport and storage.
- Infection prevention and biosafety.
- Data capturing.
- Paper-based source documentation.
- Electronic data capture systems such as REDCap.
- Following standard operating procedures.
- Working according to study protocols.
Experience working in a Good Clinical Practice (GCP) compliant research environment is also required.
Knowledge of Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), participant confidentiality and relevant regulatory requirements will be beneficial.
Skills and Personal Attributes
The successful applicant should have strong organizational and communication skills.
Important qualities include:
- Strong attention to detail.
- Good verbal and written communication.
- Computer literacy.
- Accurate data capturing ability.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Good time management.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Reliability and professionalism.
- Adaptability.
- Ability to prioritize competing tasks.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Initiative and a proactive approach.
Candidates should also understand the importance of maintaining participant confidentiality and protecting sensitive information.
Knowledge of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and applicable regulatory requirements is expected.
Working Conditions
Applicants should be prepared for a demanding healthcare or clinical research environment.
The position may require employees to work:
- Shifts.
- Weekends.
- Public holidays.
- After-hours when required.
- In fast-paced healthcare environments.
- Around potentially infectious biological specimens.
Candidates should therefore be flexible and able to remain professional when working under pressure.
Who Should Apply?
This vacancy may be suitable for individuals who have a Grade 12 qualification combined with Biology or Life Science and practical experience in healthcare, diagnostic testing or clinical research.
It may particularly appeal to applicants who want to develop their careers in:
- Point-of-care diagnostics.
- Healthcare services.
- Clinical research.
- Laboratory-related work.
- Medical testing.
- Research study operations.
- Healthcare data management.
Applicants should carefully compare their qualifications and experience with the advertised requirements before submitting an application.
How to Apply for the Point of Care Testing Officer Vacancy
Interested candidates are required to submit their application by email.
The application should include a cover letter of no more than one page clearly stating the vacancy being applied for, together with a detailed CV.
Applications should be sent to:
Email: vacancies12@witshealth.co.za
Email subject: DM – 33 – NPOC testing officers and the job title of the position being applied for.
Applicants should make sure their CV clearly presents their education, previous diagnostic or healthcare experience, clinical research experience, computer skills and any relevant point-of-care testing experience.
Important Application Information
The Wits Health Consortium states that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.
The organization also states that, in accordance with its employment equity goals and plan, preference will be given to suitable applicants from designated groups.
Final Thoughts
The Wits Health Consortium Point of Care Testing Officer vacancy provides an opportunity for suitably experienced candidates to work in a healthcare and clinical research environment.
Although Grade 12 and Biology/Life Science are listed as minimum educational requirements, applicants should pay close attention to the experience requirements. Previous diagnostic or point-of-care testing experience, specimen handling knowledge, infection prevention practices, data capturing and clinical research experience are important aspects of the role.
Candidates who meet the requirements should prepare a professional CV and a concise cover letter before submitting their application. Make sure the email subject clearly identifies the advertised vacancy so that the application can be processed correctly.
Skhumbuzo Shandu is the founder of Careers With Shandu, a platform dedicated to helping South Africans access job opportunities, learnerships, and career development resources.
He focuses on sharing clear, practical, and up-to-date information to help matriculants, graduates, and job seekers navigate applications and build their careers.
Through his work, he aims to make opportunities easier to understand and accessible to everyone, especially young people entering the workforce.
