Senior Embryologist

About Us:

Join CREATE Fertility, one of the leading IVF and fertility treatment providers in the UK. We are pioneers of Natural and Mild IVF, using little to no fertility drugs, making our treatments gentler, safer, and more affordable. With world-leading Professors, including Professor Geeta Nargund as our Medical Director, we continue to innovate in the field of fertility care.

Role Purpose:

The Senior Embryologist participates in the provision of laboratory services for assisted reproduction treatments, diagnostic andrology, and cryobanking of gametes/embryos in accordance with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Act and relevant professional Codes of Conduct.

The Senior Clinical Embryologist maintains full and proper records, as well as participating in data analysis, audit and research to ensure a high quality of services is provided to patients. The Senior Clinical Embryologist must be HCPC registered and maintain registration throughout the term of the job.

The Senior Embryologist must practise using effective self-management of workload, whilst working both within the Embryology Team and the wider unit team. In addition to embryological duties, it is expected that the Senior Embryologist will provide supervision of trainees (under the guidance of the Lead Embryologist), as well as taking responsibility for a defined area of work under the direction of the Lead Embryologist.

Duties and Objectives

• A detailed knowledge of the fundamental biology and scientific evidence that underpins clinical embryology practice;
• An understanding of the work of related disciplines;
• An understanding of all prevailing legislation, including the HFEA Act (and subsequent revisions), Health and Safety policies, COSHH guidelines for handling of gas and liquid nitrogen
• A detailed knowledge of, and ability to apply, quality assurance and monitoring of laboratory performance as per the Quality Manual;
• The ability to communicate highly sensitive and/or complex information effectively to colleagues, patients and other disciplines.
• To develop new processes and procedures in collaboration with other centres/scientists where applicable.
• To train other embryologists in new techniques and processes.
• To act as trainer and speaker in meetings and training courses as appropriate.
• To conduct basic science research in the field of follicular maturation and embryology.
• To write scientific papers for peer reviewed publications.
• Present data at scientific meetings
• To set up PGD/S if resources & facilities become available
• To perform the relevant IVF procedures and laboratory duties according to the laboratory’s standard operating procedures, and within the HF&E Act and other applicable regulation, in such a manner as to promote and safeguard the best interests of patients, and their gametes and embryos in their trust. IVF procedures include: o oocyte retrieval and preparation for insemination
• Diagnostic semen analysis
• Sperm preparation for IUI, IVF and ICSI
• Preparation of surgically retrieved sperm samples
• Insemination techniques, including ICSI
• Assessment of fertilisation and
• Embryo culture and assessment to the blastocyst stage where relevant
• Embryo transfer
• Gamete and embryo cryopreservation
• To be available to respond to the lab alarms and be fully aware of the emergency procedures and protocols where necessary.
• To analyse complex data to evaluate sperm, egg and embryo quality in order to direct patient treatment, making decisions and taking responsibility for planning and undertaking IVF procedures
• Key Results / KPIs
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
• To produce monthly laboratory KPI’s to present to the Laboratory Manager/clinical meeting.
• KPI will be a standard monthly report to include current month IVF & ICSI fertilisation rates, cleavage rates and embryo quality.
• Pregnancy outcomes for 4 weeks (3 weeks in retrospect)
• To produce a fortnightly/monthly EDI report showing which entries are missing.
• To produce a monthly list of missing birth outcomes from the database/EDI.
• To produce a yearly KPI report.

Qualifications

• Educational Background: A degree in a relevant scientific field.
• HCPC Registration (must be maintained throughout employment)
• To ensure that proper written consent is gained before any embryological procedures are carried out
• To consult directly with patients on a daily basis, giving results and informing patients of the progress of their treatment, including numbers of eggs fertilising and timing of embryo transfer; where necessary, this will include discussing changes in treatment options (for example based on semen quality), imparting highly sensitive, and potentially distressing, information
• To interpret, analyse and discuss with referring clinicians laboratory results or highly complex embryology data, and where appropriate provide advice on further management, drawing upon the scientific literature when required
• To help maintain the laboratory in a fit state for practice in accordance with HFEA guidelines and the unit’s HFEA licence, to include participation in maintaining up-to-date laboratory standard operating procedures and laboratory Quality Assurance monitoring
• To assist in the training and supervision of juniors/trainees and to ensure they understand and adhere to laboratory standard operating procedures
• To participate in audit and troubleshooting and revising SOPs to address these
• To participate in service evaluation and development
• To ensure the collection and maintenance of laboratory data as part of the unit’s clinical database;
• To be responsible for the collation of specific datasets in electronic and paper formats;
• To be responsible for, and participate in, the audits of cryopreserved material, including gametes and embryos as part of HFEA requirements;
• To oversee the accurate completion of patient records and filing in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority;
• To participate in laboratory Quality Assurance, including data audit, assessment of performance, and development and refinement of laboratory Quality Control;
• To participate in the unit’s regular audit, clinical review and other meetings.

Key Results / KPIs

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
• To produce monthly laboratory KPI’s to present to the Laboratory Manager/clinical meeting.
• KPI will be a standard monthly report to include current month IVF & ICSI fertilisation rates, cleavage rates and embryo quality.
• Pregnancy outcomes for 4 weeks (3 weeks in retrospect)
• To produce a fortnightly/monthly EDI report showing which entries are missing.
• To produce a monthly list of missing birth outcomes from the database/EDI.
• To produce a yearly KPI report.

Qualifications

• Educational Background: A degree in a relevant scientific field.
• HCPC Registration (must be maintained throughout employment)
• To ensure that proper written consent is gained before any embryological procedures are carried out
• To consult directly with patients on a daily basis, giving results and informing patients of the progress of their treatment, including numbers of eggs fertilising and timing of embryo transfer; where necessary, this will include discussing changes in treatment options (for example based on semen quality), imparting highly sensitive, and potentially distressing, information
• To interpret, analyse and discuss with referring clinicians laboratory results or highly complex embryology data, and where appropriate provide advice on further management, drawing upon the scientific literature when required
• To help maintain the laboratory in a fit state for practice in accordance with HFEA guidelines and the unit’s HFEA licence, to include participation in maintaining up-to-date laboratory standard operating procedures and laboratory

Quality Assurance monitoring

• To assist in the training and supervision of juniors/trainees and to ensure they understand and adhere to laboratory standard operating procedures
• To participate in audit and troubleshooting and revising SOPs to address these
• To participate in service evaluation and development
• To ensure the collection and maintenance of laboratory data as part of the unit’s clinical database;
• To be responsible for the collation of specific datasets in electronic and paper formats;
• To be responsible for, and participate in, the audits of cryopreserved material, including gametes and embryos as part of HFEA requirements;
• To oversee the accurate completion of patient records and filing in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority;
• To participate in laboratory Quality Assurance, including data audit, assessment of performance, and development and refinement of laboratory Quality Control;
• To participate in the unit’s regular audit, clinical review and other meetings.
• Experience/Personal Specification
• Experience:
• Proven experience in clinical embryology and related laboratory procedures.
• Experience in communicating complex and sensitive information to patients and colleagues.
• Experience in training and supervising junior staff/trainees.

Essential:

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with patients and the clinical team.

• Organisational Skills: Strong organisational and time management skills to handle multiple tasks efficiently.

• Attention to Detail: High level of precision and accuracy in performing laboratory tasks and maintaining records.

• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

• Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to new technologies and protocols in a rapidly evolving field.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) regulations.
• Previous involvement in quality control or audit processes.
• Experience in conducting scientific research and writing scientific papers.
• Previous involvement in developing new processes and procedures in collaboration with other scientists.
• Experience in presenting data at scientific meetings.