In today’s healthcare landscape, point-of-care (POC) testing plays a pivotal role in delivering rapid results, enhancing patient outcomes, and improving workflow efficiency (1). Whether it’s a hospital, urgent care center, or outpatient clinic, the ability to conduct testing at or near the site of patient care depends on one key factor: proper staffing.

If you're involved in managing or setting up POC testing, chances are you've faced some tough questions about staffing. Here’s a practical guide to the most common concerns — and what you need to know to make informed decisions (1).

This is perhaps the most frequently asked question. The answer depends on the complexity of the tests and applicable regulations (1).

• CLIA-waived tests can be performed by a wide range of healthcare professionals, including medical assistants, nurses, and sometimes even non-clinical staff, provided they are properly trained.
• For moderate or high complexity testing, stricter qualifications apply. Staff must meet specific educational and licensure standards, and a certified medical technologist or clinical lab scientist is often required.

Always verify state-specific licensure requirements and ensure your personnel meet Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) guidelines.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but staffing levels should align with:

• Patient volume
• Testing frequency
• Operational hours

As a rule of thumb, if test turnaround time is slowing down patient flow, you likely need to scale up or redistribute staff (2). Consider using data from test logs and EMR integration to evaluate peak hours and adjust accordingly.

Even for waived testing, being able to follow the manufacturer’s instruction for use is mandatory (1). Staff must be trained on:

• Device operation
• Quality control (QC) procedures
• Result interpretation
• Proper documentation and reporting

Training must be documented, and competency assessments are required at performed intervals (1). If you’re using multiple devices, each requires its own training module.

A well-run POC lab should have a designated POC coordinator or a qualified lab supervisor (3). This person is responsible for:

• Ensuring all testing personnel meet competency standards
• Overseeing QC and calibration
• Maintaining compliance with CLIA, CAP, or Joint Commission requirements
• Acting as a liaison between departments and the main laboratory

Quality assurance (QA) doesn't end with training — it’s a continuous process that requires proactive management (4).

This depends on your organization's size and patient needs.

• Smaller settings may benefit from cross-training nurses or MAs to handle testing during their regular workflow (5).
• Larger institutions or systems with high POC test volumes may require dedicated POC coordinators to maintain accuracy and efficiency (6).

Cross-training is cost-effective, but it only works if staff can realistically handle testing in addition to their core duties (5).

Regulatory compliance shapes everything from hiring to daily workflows. Agencies like CLIA, The Joint Commission, and CAP have specific requirements regarding (1):

• Documentation of staff qualifications
• Training logs
• Quality control
• Proficiency testing

Make sure you maintain a clear paper trail for every staff member involved in testing — including evidence of ongoing education and competency.

Final Thoughts: Staffing for Success

Staffing a point-of-care laboratory isn’t just about filling slots on a schedule. It’s about ensuring the right people, with the right training, are in place to deliver accurate results quickly and safely.

Whether you're launching a new POC testing site or optimizing an existing one, thoughtful staffing is essential for both compliance and clinical excellence.

Have questions about your POCT lab? Reach out — we’re happy to help you streamline the process. Contact Our Teams Worldwide - Sekisui Diagnostics

References

1. Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine. Point-of-Care Testing. Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine. [Online] https://myadlm.org/science-and-research/poct-how-to-guide-for-non-laboratorians.
2. Medical Laboratory Observer Staff. Laboratory strategies: meeting the increasing demand for point-of-care diagnostics. Medical Laboratory Observer. [Online] 2014. https://www.mlo-online.com/home/article/13007451/laboratory-strategies-meeting-the-increasing-demand-for-point-of-care-diagnostics.
3. Warade, Jayesh. Organization of the POCT Unit. s.l. : National Library of Medicine.
4. Secrets for Success in Managing Point-of-Care Testing Quality Assurance. Pedro E. Castenada, MBA, MLS (ASCP). s.l. : ADLM Clinical Laboratory News, 2020.
5. The Benefits of Cross-Training in the Lab. Kridelbaugh, Donna. s.l. : Lab Manager , 2022.
6. A Profile of Point of Care Coordinators: Roles, Responsibilities and Attitudes. Tyler R Gledhill, MHA , Sandra K White, MS , Jamie E Lewis , Robert L Schmidt, MD, PhD, MBA. s.l. : Lab Medicine, 2019.