What I wish I learned when I started in Point of Care

One thing I had to learn over and over again when I first got into POC is that one must SLOW DOWN when functioning as a POCC.  It's a hard transition from being a generalist bench tech where you run like a maniac! Slow down, and pay attention to all the little details. 
Another thing that's hard to learn is where to find a stopping point. But things will still be there tomorrow. 
Also, there is a wealth of information out there.. and on here! 

Honestly?,  that I didn't need to lose sleep the night before teaching a class of new hires (non-lab staff) in orientation about POC and the lab in general.  If you know the subject, you can speak to it in an educated manner and it turns the dread of speaking to groups into an enjoyable event.

 Other tips:
Yes, learn the JHACO/CAP regulations, understand them and how to address them.

Make positive professional relationships with the leadership on the floors, this will greatly aid you in your work on the floors.  On the same note:  good communication with your Path is a requirement.

Always answer the same question that you’ve been asked 10 times already that day like it was the first time.

Use the facility policy and CLIA/JHACO/CAP specific regulation that it involves when addressing an issue that may not be popular on the floor.  “Yes, you really HAVE to do this this way.  No, it’s not my rule, it’s a Federally mandated requirement.”

Similar to some of the other answers, I would say:

Make friends everywhere-every nursing unit, IT (especially IT), purchasing, general stores, infection prevention, compliance, even design and construction (need to be sure your POCT is factored in from the start), etc. etc. 
Most importantly, find fellow POCCs in your area, a POC group, and AACC for resources and POCC friends and relationships you can count on for a lifetime!

Work within their workflow (nursing, pharmacy, surgery, etc.) The more you embed your your process into what they already do, the more likely it will get done. (Competency assessment especially)

Use data. When you can drill down on specifics (especially for errors), you'll get more buy in for the need for changes. We got new wristbands and the buy-in for going scan-only based on my data showing scan errors, transposed numbers etc.

Observe and listen more than you speak. Seeing what actually happens while rounding and asking open ended questions without leading or judging, will help you understand barriers and why there may be work-arounds. (Admittedly not speaking is hard but asking 'the 5 whys' is easier.) This helps you brainstorm solutions and helps you solve problems. You're all on the same team for better patient care! 

Your job will never be done. So give your day 110%, pick a time and go home, and don't think about it again till tomorrow! Your brain needs that rest!
 
Being a POCC was the hardest job I ever loved!

So many wise responses already! I can only echo what the others have said. 

I have found relationship building to be the most essential and helpful aid to my job. I can't just do this on my own - POC is needs to be owned by the institution as a whole or it will never succeed. Know your friends - sometimes you just need to get the communication or concern to the right person and things happen!

Like Jeremy said - use language that speaks to your group. CAP means nothing to them. Joint Commission does, CMS does. 

Don't be afraid to go back to basics with your operators and don't judge them for what they do not know! I see the main lab being guilty of this and I was too when I worked the bench. We take for granted all the "lab" knowledge we have  - remember, most nurses and other roles have never received that sort of education. I get a lot of positive feedback when I cover basic sample collection  and sample handling. They do not know why this is so important. 

Hello Erika, 
What a great question!
I can echo most of the sentiments from each of the previous responses. I would like to add to what Gloria mentioned, in that this was the most difficult transition that I have faced in my career so far. Changing my mindset from high complexity, all laboratory regulations and SOP's all day, every task. To what is now a multidisciplinary mindset with many more regulations and standards and new team members from all manner of disciplines across a health system. Learning how to speak the language of "Nurse" and other clinical teams that we work with daily has been a huge challenge for me, and my team.  It has taken me many years to learn that forcing laboratory terms and language on non-laboratory staff does not make them understand my perspective or my needs. Learning how to rewrite SOPs and workflows that meet the clinical teams needs as much as mine is a talent that I love to share with my colleagues.  Kim mentions learning how to listen more than we speak. Can someone still teach me that skill? I think this is still an opportunity for improvement in my own professional growth. 

And I agree that learning how to communicate in multiple styles and sometimes with crucial conversation skills goes a long way to establishing long lasting relationships with your clinical teams and their leaders. You are no longer simply a medical technologist/clinical scientist, you are now a leader of the laboratory who works seamlessly with clinical leaders across your hospitals, doctor's offices, and/or health systems to ensure the highest quality patient results and the safest work environment for de-centralized laboratory testing. 

Continue to grow and learn every day! That is a lesson that I was fortunate enough to have learned very early in my career as a POCC. 

I love everyone's responses here!! Kudos to you All!!