PHRU Point of Care Testing Officer Jobs 2026: X12 Positions Available

South Africans with Grade 12, Biology or Life Science and relevant point-of-care testing experience can take note of a new healthcare research employment opportunity.

The Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), a division of Wits Health Consortium, is recruiting 12 Point of Care Testing Officers for positions based at PHRU – Botshabelo District Hospital in Bloemfontein, Free State. The positions are advertised as fixed-term contract roles, with applications closing on 22 October 2026. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Applicants should note that although this opportunity may be shared online alongside learnerships, it is not a learnership. It is a fixed-term employment opportunity requiring previous relevant healthcare or diagnostic-testing experience.

Vacancy at a Glance

The official PHRU careers page confirms that PHRU vacancies are advertised through the Wits Health Consortium Careers Portal. (phru.co.za)

About the Perinatal HIV Research Unit

The Perinatal HIV Research Unit was established in 1996 and has been involved in research, training, policy development and advocacy relating to HIV and maternal and child health.

Its work has since expanded beyond its original focus on mother-to-child transmission of HIV into broader clinical and public-health research activities. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

PHRU operates as a division of Wits Health Consortium and has research sites in several parts of South Africa.

What Does a Point of Care Testing Officer Do?

A Point of Care Testing Officer performs diagnostic testing close to where patients receive care instead of relying only on a central laboratory.

The main purpose of this position is to help ensure testing is performed accurately, safely and on time, while results and participant information are properly documented according to study protocols and Good Clinical Practice requirements. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Successful applicants will work in a clinical research environment where accurate test results can be important for patient care and research activities.

Main Duties

Successful candidates will be responsible for several areas of point-of-care testing.

These include:

• Performing near-patient point-of-care tests directly on specimens according to approved protocols.
• Keeping testing devices operational and ensuring sufficient testing supplies are available.
• Following infection-prevention and biosafety requirements.
• Carrying out routine quality-control checks.
• Identifying and correcting testing problems before they affect results.
• Recording participant details, test information, results and observations accurately.
• Maintaining source documentation at the time testing is performed.
• Following study protocols, standard operating procedures and quality-management requirements.
• Protecting participant confidentiality and personal information.
• Supporting accurate and timely communication of test results.

The role requires a high level of attention to detail because both clinical testing and research documentation must be accurate. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Minimum Education Requirements

Applicants need:

Grade 12

Candidates must also have:

Biology or Life Science

Grade 12 alone is therefore not enough to qualify automatically.

The employer also requires relevant experience connected to diagnostic or point-of-care testing. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Experience Required

Applicants should already have experience performing diagnostic or point-of-care testing within a clinical or healthcare environment.

Relevant experience includes knowledge or exposure to areas such as:

• Clinical diagnostic testing
• Point-of-care testing
• Specimen collection
• Specimen handling
• Specimen transport and storage
• Infection prevention and control
• Biosafety
• Data capturing
• Clinical research
• Good Clinical Practice
• Standard operating procedures

Experience working in a Good Clinical Practice-compliant research environment is specifically listed among the requirements. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

This means the opportunity is best suited to candidates who already have practical healthcare or clinical-research exposure.

Data Capturing and Record Keeping

Applicants should also be comfortable capturing information accurately.

The vacancy refers to experience using both paper-based source documents and electronic data-capture systems.

One example mentioned is REDCap, which is commonly used for research data collection.

Candidates should also understand that participant information must be kept confidential and handled in line with POPIA and relevant regulatory requirements. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Skills That Can Help

Strong candidates should demonstrate:

• Computer literacy
• Attention to detail
• Good organisational ability
• Analytical thinking
• Problem-solving skills
• Verbal communication
• Written communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Professionalism
• Reliability
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Good time management

The employer is looking for people who can work accurately even in a busy clinical or research environment. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Important Working Conditions

Applicants should understand that healthcare and research work may not always follow normal office hours.

The published vacancy states that successful candidates should be willing to work:

• Shifts
• Weekends
• Public holidays
• After-hours when required

Candidates must also be comfortable handling potentially infectious biological specimens while strictly following infection-prevention and biosafety procedures. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Location

The positions are advertised for:

PHRU – Botshabelo District Hospital, Bloemfontein, Free State

Applicants should consider transport and accommodation arrangements before applying.

PHRU’s official website also lists Botshabelo among its operational locations. (phru.co.za)

How Many Positions Are Available?

There are:

X12 Point of Care Testing Officer positions

Having 12 positions available may provide more opportunities than a single-post vacancy, but applicants still need to meet the education and experience requirements.

Salary

The salary is currently:

Not disclosed

The published recruitment information lists remuneration as undisclosed, and the recruitment agency handling responses states that it does not have salary information for this position. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

MoreJobApply.com should therefore not publish an estimated salary or monthly stipend as though it were confirmed.

How to Apply for PHRU Point of Care Testing Officer Jobs

PHRU’s official website says that all PHRU vacancies are advertised through the Wits Health Consortium Careers Portal. (phru.co.za)

Applicants should therefore start from the official Wits Health Consortium careers website:

Wits Health Consortium Official Careers Portal

You can also use the official PHRU Careers page:

PHRU Official Careers Page

The PHRU page links directly to Wits Health Consortium’s careers system. (phru.co.za)

What to Prepare Before Applying

Applicants should have a detailed and updated CV ready.

The published recruitment instructions also request a cover letter of no more than one page, clearly stating the vacancy being applied for. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Your CV should clearly show your Grade 12 education, Biology or Life Science background, clinical or healthcare experience, point-of-care testing experience, specimen-handling knowledge, computer skills and any experience in clinical research.

Do not claim testing or healthcare experience you do not have.

Closing Date

Applications close on:

22 October 2026

Applications submitted after the closing date may not be considered. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

With only a few days remaining, qualifying candidates should prepare their application early rather than waiting until the final day.

What Happens After Applying?

Wits Health Consortium states that it will respond only to shortlisted applicants.

Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks after the closing date can consider their applications unsuccessful. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Applicants should continue applying for other suitable opportunities while waiting for feedback.

Employment Equity

Wits Health Consortium states that preference may be given to suitable applicants from designated groups in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Applicants still need to meet the advertised minimum education, skills and experience requirements.

Is This a Learnership?

No.

This is important for job seekers searching Google for “PHRU learnership 2026”.

The advertised opportunity is for:

Point of Care Testing Officer X12 – Fixed-Term Contract

It is a job opportunity rather than a learnership or student-training programme. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Applicants already need relevant diagnostic or clinical point-of-care testing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply with Grade 12?

Yes, Grade 12 is the minimum education requirement, but applicants also need Biology/Life Science and relevant point-of-care or diagnostic-testing experience. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

How many vacancies are available?

There are 12 positions.

Where are the jobs based?

The advertised workplace is PHRU – Botshabelo District Hospital in Bloemfontein, Free State. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Is this a permanent job?

No. The position is advertised as a fixed-term contract.

Do I need healthcare experience?

Yes. Previous diagnostic or point-of-care testing experience in a clinical or healthcare setting is required. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

Is Biology required?

The advertised education requirements specify Grade 12 and Biology/Life Science. (naps-api.careerjunction.co.za)

What is the salary?

The salary has not been disclosed.

When is the closing date?

Applications close on 22 October 2026.

Where should I apply?

PHRU states that its vacancies are advertised through the official Wits Health Consortium Careers Portal. (phru.co.za)

Final Advice

The Wits Health Consortium PHRU Point of Care Testing Officer vacancies for 2026 may be suitable for candidates who have Grade 12 with Biology or Life Science and already have relevant clinical diagnostic-testing experience.

The opportunity offers 12 fixed-term positions in Bloemfontein, with successful candidates supporting diagnostic testing, specimen handling, quality control, data recording and clinical-research activities.

Before applying, make sure you meet the most important requirements: Grade 12, Biology/Life Science, relevant point-of-care testing experience, clinical or healthcare exposure, good computer skills and the ability to follow strict safety procedures.

Applications close on 22 October 2026.

MoreJobApply.com Editorial Notice

MoreJobApply.com is an independent career-information and application-guidance website. MoreJobApply.com is not Wits Health Consortium, PHRU or AJ Personnel and does not hire, recruit, shortlist or accept applications on their behalf.

Applicants should use MoreJobApply.com to understand the opportunity and then complete their application through the official Wits Health Consortium careers channel.