Clinical Embryologist

NHS; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS fertility unit in Gateshead seeks a Clinical Embryologist to join their team. The role involves managing laboratory functions and contributing to patient care with responsibilities including embryo assessment and team coordination. Candidates should have a degree in biological science and relevant registration, with a focus on quality control and patient consent processes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years relevant practical experience.
• Evidence of personal/professional development.
• ICSI trained.

Responsibilities

• Perform relevant laboratory duties according to protocols.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary activities and manage laboratory workload.
• Train and mentor junior staff and prepare cases for embryo storage.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Scientific investigation

Education

BSc degree in appropriate biological science

HCPC Registration as a Clinical Scientist

ARCS (Association of Reproductive Clinical Scientists)

Tools

Embryology techniques

Job description

Gateshead Fertility have an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Embryologist to join our established team on a fixed-term basis.

Band 6 or 7 depending on experience.

We are proud to provide a range of fertility treatments to the patients of the North East and North Cumbria and have built our reputation around our compassionate expertise and care as well as our excellent patient outcomes. Our Embryology team participate substantially to service development and have a high degree of patient contact.

This NHS fertility unit provides care to a diverse range of patients and the multi-disciplinary team has a shared vision and purpose that drives it continued success.

Main duties of the job

The applicant should have:

BSc degree in appropriate biological science

HCPC Registration as a Clinical Scientist

ARCS (Association of Reproductive Clinical Scientists)

Minimum 2 years relevant practical experience

Evidence of personal /professional development

Ability to pursue and direct basic scientific investigations

Highly developed communication, interpersonal and influencing skills

We would consider applications from candidates with suitable embryology experience who are working towards HPCP registration, against an appropriate role.

About us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Job responsibilities

a) DUTIES SENIOR EMBRYOLOGIST

To perform the relevant laboratory duties according to the protocols and procedures. These include;

Diagnostic semen analysis

Sperm preparation for DI, IUI, IVF and ICSI

Oocyte retrieval and insemination

Assessment of fertilisation and embryo development

Embryo culture

Embryo transfer

Gamete and embryo cryopreservation

Maintenance and audit of cryopreserved material

Out of hours on-call responsibility for cryo-dewars and critical equipment

b) RESPONSIBLITIES SENIOR EMBRYOLOGIST

Co-ordination of multi-disciplinary activities and scheduling of patient treatments. Acting independently to manage the laboratory workload within clinical and professional guidelines. Occasional educational role for trainee midwives, junior medical staff and medical students.

Performing clinical analyses for diagnostic purposes and presenting highly specialised advice, which contributes to the care and education of patients.

Communication of highly complex information to patients with potentially distressing outcomes. Explaining and obtaining comprehensive legal consent for gamete and embryo storage.

Contribute to the training and mentoring of junior staff, including pre-registration Embryologists, Embryology Laboratory Associates and Healthcare Science Assistants

Implementation of policies and regular revision of standard operating procedures within professional guidelines.

Recording of patient treatments and outcome details for the HFEA national database. Regular updating and maintenance of in-house databases and spreadsheets. Compilation of statistics for regular audit and patient information.

Regular equipment testing as part of a quality control programme. Frequent audit of laboratory and clinical key performance indicators, including investigating underperformance and suggesting and implementing corrective action.

Contribute to the evaluation and purchasing of laboratory equipment. Accountable for the repair and maintenance of physical assets.

Organizes the regular invoicing of private patients.

Participation in out-of-hours on-call response to laboratory alarms

Person Specification

Qualifications

• HCPC registration (1 = working towards/eligible, 2 = attained)
• STP graduate
• Experience as Embryologist
• ICSI trained

Experience

• UK experience
• Experience - embryology laboratory experience (1 = overseas/placement, 2 = UK embryology employment)
• Skills - embryology techniques (1 = minimal/placement, 2 = competent in most key skills)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.