Andrology Practitioner

Band 5

**Main area**
- NUH Life Fertility Services

**Grade**
- Band 5

**Contract**
- Permanent

**Hours**
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Some weekend/out of hours work will be required on a rotation basis)

**Job ref**
- 164-5788553

**Site**
- Nottingham University Hospital QMC Campus

**Town**
- Nottingham

**Salary**
- £28,407 - £34,581 per annum

**Salary period**
- Yearly

**Closing**
- 14/12/2023 23:59

Job overview

NUH Life Fertility Service is a small but dedicated multidisciplinary team of Clinicians, Nurses, Healthcare Scientists and administration staff providing Fertility care to both men and women in the East Midlands region. Having recently undergone a large investment in our service, we now have an exciting opportunity for an Andrology Practitioner to join our laboratory team, located in new and purpose built facilities.

Main duties of the job

In addition to the below summary you will need to familiarise yourself with the full job description and person specification documents attached to the advert for this role.

Support the senior andrology staff.

Follow local SOP’s and guidelines of good practice produced by relevant organisations such as the World Health Organisation, British Fertility Society, and the Association of Biomedical Andrologists and British Andrology Society (now part of ARCS).

Strict adherence to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s code of practice including those for patient/sample witnessing.

Participate in review and development of laboratory protocols, internal audit, recording deficiencies and taking corrective action under direction of the Service Lead and Quality Manager.

Participation in on call rota.

Working for our organisation

With over 17,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.

Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Performing diagnostic semen analysis in line with World Health Organisation guidelines.

Sperm preparation for diagnostic purposes, intra-uterine insemination using partner or donor sperm, observing suitable aseptic technique.

Cryopreservation of sperm for fertility patients, oncology patients, private patients and donors. Storage and maintenance of cryopreserved sperm.

Maintaining levels in Liquid Nitrogen tanks, which involves moving pressurised cylinders (with assistance) from the storage bay and connecting to the freezers.

Testing for donor suitability and sperm quality prior to freezing under the direction of the Service Lead.

Participate in external quality assessment (EQA) and internal quality control (IQC) activities when required.

Person specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential criteria
- Minimum 2:1 in BSc in a relevant Life Science
- Masters in Reproductive Science

Desirable criteria
- ABA certificate (module 1) or equivalent
- MSc in Reproductive Science

Experience

Essential criteria
- Minimum 12 months experience in performing routine semen analysis
- Practical experience in cryopreservation of sperm
- Competency in the preparation of semen samples for use in IUI

Desirable criteria
- Experience working in a HFEA licensed centre

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Essential criteria
- Competent in basic laboratory/technical skills (use of microscopes, pipettes and centrifuges)

Desirable criteria
- Understanding of role of EQA/IQC within a laboratory setting

Physical Skills

Essential criteria
- Physical ability to move large/heavy nitrogen cylinders

Desirable criteria
- Handling of liquid nitrogen and operation of nitrogen refrigerators

Other Role Requirements

Essential criteria
- Willing to work occasionally out of normal hours e.g. Saturday’s/Evenings and participate in the on call rota
- Full driving licence and access to vehicle whilst on call

Communication and Relationship Skills

Essential criteria
- Excellent written and spoken English in order to convey complex information to patients, relatives, staff and colleagues
- Able to demonstrate understanding and empathy for all patients requiring our services

Desirable criteria
- Experience of taking consent
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Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at the NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career

**Salary**: The quoted salary will be on a pro rata basi