Clinical Embryologist

At TFP, we make families. We shape fertility journeys around people’s lives. We provide an outstanding customer experience by showing that we care, build trust, deliver our expertise, drive innovation and demonstrate our patients our passion on a day-by-day basis.

**Main purpose**:
The role is to ensure the delivery of all embryology and andrology services for the assessment and treatment of infertility.

As part of the embryology team, an embryologist will be expected to perform all routine day to day activities in the embryology and andrology laboratories. Supervise junior embryology and technician staff if required and ensure appropriate laboratory protocols and standard operating procedures are followed at all times.

The post holder’s roles will also include clinical liaison and routine clinical decision making within the embryology laboratory.

**Roles and responsibilities**:

- Analysis of semen samples and assessment of their suitability for treatments.
- Preparation of fresh and cryopreserved semen for in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) using swim-up and discontinuous gradient techniques, as appropriate.
- Assessment, preparation and cryopreservation of epididymal sperm and testicular biopsies.
- Preparation, assessment and injection of oocytes using ICSI.
- Handling and manipulation of oocytes and embryos to facilitate assessment of fertilisation, early cleavage and blastocyst development.
- Selection of embryos for immediate uterine transfer and cryopreservation of supernumerary embryos.
- Polar body, blastomere and trophectoderm biopsy for PGS/PGD.
- Communication with external providers of genetic testing for PGS/PGD cases.
- Thawing of frozen embryos during subsequent natural or artificial cycles.
- Ongoing assessment of culture conditions and quality control of culture media and consumables.
- Completion and computation of records in accordance with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and RQIA regulations and compliance with their guidelines.
- Communicate with patients about aspects of their treatment including fertilisation results and embryo survival after thaws.
- Assisting the Laboratory Manager in the development and implementation of new laboratory services as required.
- Collaboration with the Person Responsible and Laboratory Manager, to ensure that all laboratory procedures and policies comply with the requirements of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (1990), the HFEA Code of Practice and all other relevant legislation and guidelines.
- The above tasks will involve giving bad news, when, for example, all eggs have failed to fertilise or embryos did not survive the freezing and thawing process. The embryologist must give this information sensitively and ensure that distressed patients have understood the information given._

**Knowledge, Training & Experience Required**:

- A 1st class or upper 2nd class degree in a life science.
- Attainment of either the ACE certificate in clinical embryology or the new scientific training programme (STP) in Reproductive Science.
- A postgraduate qualification is desirable but not essential.
- 2-4 years clinical experience would be desirable.
- Qualification or training as an ICSI practitioner would be desirable.
- Polar body, blastomere and trophectoderm biopsy skills for PGS/PGD would be desirable
- Registration with the Health Professions Council as a Clinical Scientist (Embryology) is desirable.
- An Embryologist must have the skills, knowledge and experience detailed in the National Occupational Standards for Clinical Embryology;
**Location - GCRM Fertility, Glasgow**

**Salary - Competitive**

**Hours - Full Time - 37.5 hours per week