Point of Care Testing Officer Job at Wits Health Consortium
Wits Health Consortium is inviting suitably qualified candidates to apply for 12 Point of Care Testing Officer vacancies at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU).
These are temporary positions focused on point-of-care diagnostic testing within a healthcare and clinical research environment. The successful candidates will be responsible for conducting accurate and timely testing, maintaining testing equipment, following safety procedures and ensuring that patient and study information is properly recorded.
The vacancy may be of interest to candidates who have Grade 12 and relevant experience in diagnostic or point-of-care testing.
The closing date for applications is 22 October 2026.
Wits Health Consortium Point of Care Testing Officer Vacancy Details
Here are the important details job seekers should know:
- Job Title: Point of Care Testing Officer x12
- Company: Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Ltd
- Division: Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU)
- Number of Positions: 12
- Employment Type: Temporary
- Minimum Education: Grade 12
- Closing Date: 22 October 2026
- Advert Reference: DM – Point of Care Testing Officer – Oct 2026
- Application Email: vacancies12@witshealth.co.za
The role involves working directly with point-of-care diagnostic testing and requires candidates who can follow clinical procedures, maintain accurate records and work safely when handling potentially infectious biological specimens.
What Is a Point of Care Testing Officer?
A Point of Care Testing Officer performs diagnostic tests close to where patients receive healthcare rather than relying entirely on testing performed in a central laboratory.
The position requires accuracy because test results can contribute to decisions about patient care and clinical research.
At Wits Health Consortium, the successful candidates will conduct testing according to study protocols and clinical practice requirements. They will also be expected to document testing information correctly and communicate results promptly.
The role combines healthcare testing, administration, data recording, quality control and infection prevention.
Key Responsibilities of the Point of Care Testing Officer
The successful applicants will have several responsibilities at the healthcare facility.
Diagnostic Testing Service Delivery
Point of care testing must be performed directly on specimens according to the relevant protocols.
The officer will be expected to ensure that testing is conducted accurately and within the required timeframes.
The role also involves helping ensure that testing services are accessible and available when required.
Device Operation and Maintenance
Point-of-care testing devices need to remain functional and properly maintained.
The Point of Care Testing Officer will be responsible for operating the relevant devices and ensuring that they are adequately stocked with the necessary consumables.
This helps prevent interruptions to daily testing activities.
Infection Prevention, Safety and Compliance
Safety is an important part of the position because the role may involve handling potentially infectious biological specimens.
Candidates must follow infection prevention procedures, biosafety requirements and relevant study standards when performing their duties.
Testing must be conducted in a manner that protects both participants and staff.
Site-Level Quality Control
The successful candidates will also perform routine quality-control checks on testing processes.
These checks are designed to identify potential errors before they can affect test results.
Attention to detail is therefore important because testing procedures must be followed consistently and accurately.
Documentation and Record-Keeping
Accurate record-keeping is another major part of the job.
Candidates will need to ensure that participant information, testing details, results and observations are recorded in the appropriate source documents at the time of testing.
The role therefore requires candidates who are comfortable working with both documentation and electronic data.
Minimum Education Requirements
Candidates applying for the Point of Care Testing Officer Jobs must have:
- Grade 12
Required Work Experience
The vacancy lists several areas of experience that are required for the position.
Applicants should have experience in areas such as:
- Diagnostic or point-of-care testing in a clinical or healthcare environment
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP)-compliant clinical research
- Specimen collection, handling, transport and storage
- Infection prevention and control
- Biosafety procedures
- Accurate data capture
- Paper-based source documentation
- Electronic data capture systems such as REDCap
- Participant confidentiality
- Following standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Following study protocols
- Quality management requirements
Knowledge of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and applicable regulatory guidelines is also required.
Skills and Personal Abilities
Candidates should be organised, reliable and comfortable working in a clinical or research environment.
The advert highlights several personal and professional abilities, including:
- Strong organisational skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Good verbal and written communication
- Computer proficiency
- Strong analytical skills
- Problem-solving ability
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to prioritise tasks
- Ability to manage multiple responsibilities
- Good time management
- Adaptability
- Initiative
- Professionalism
- Reliability
Candidates should also be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where deadlines and study timelines must be met.
Working With Biological Specimens
One of the important aspects of this vacancy is the handling of potentially infectious biological specimens.
Applicants must be comfortable working with such specimens while strictly following biosafety, infection prevention and study protocols.
This means candidates need to understand the importance of following procedures rather than taking shortcuts when performing testing or handling specimens.
Safety requirements apply to both the people conducting the tests and the participants involved in the healthcare or research process.
Working Hours and Shifts
Applicants should be prepared for flexible working requirements.
The vacancy states that employees may be required to work:
- Shifts
- Weekends
- Public holidays
- After-hours
These requirements will depend on the operational or study needs.
Candidates should therefore be willing to work outside standard working hours when required.
Fast-Paced Clinical and Research Environment
The successful applicants will work in a clinical or research environment that may be fast-paced and demanding.
The ability to remain organised while managing several responsibilities will be important.
Candidates should be able to prioritise competing tasks, meet deadlines and maintain accurate records even when there are multiple responsibilities to manage.
The position also requires individuals who can work independently with minimal supervision while still collaborating effectively with other members of the team.
How to Apply for the Wits Health Consortium Jobs
Candidates interested in applying for the Point of Care Testing Officer x12 vacancy must submit their application by email.
Applications should be sent to:
The email subject heading must include:
DM – Point of Care Testing Officer – Oct 2026
Applicants are instructed to include the following documents:
- A cover letter, with a maximum length of one page, clearly stating which vacancy is being applied for
- A detailed CV
Candidates should make sure that their CV contains accurate information about their education, work experience, clinical or healthcare experience, computer skills and relevant testing experience.
Important Closing Date
Job seekers should take note of the application deadline.
The closing date for the Wits Health Consortium Point of Care Testing Officer vacancies is:
22 October 2026
Because the positions are for 12 vacancies, interested candidates who meet the requirements should prepare their CV and supporting documents before submitting their application.
The organisation states that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications unsuccessful.
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.
