Clinical Embryologist

Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust; Knutsford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust seeks an experienced embryologist to support the Hewitt Fertility Centre's diagnostic and therapeutic fertility services. The role involves advanced embryology procedures and maintaining strict quality control across the laboratory.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team, ensure safe handling of samples, participate in audits, CPD, and keep up-to-date with HFEA guidelines and UKAS standards.

Responsibilities

• Participate in treatment of patients with known high risk diseases (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis B & Hep C).
• Convey treatment details clearly to patients.
• Counsel patients on treatment options and outcomes.
• Maintain liquid nitrogen storage and handling.
• Follow HFEA regulations and participate in QC schemes to maintain UKAS accreditation.
• Liaise with other centres regarding workload, treatments, and transfers of gametes or embryos.
• Ensure accurate data collection and documentation for Hewitt Fertility Centre and HFEA.
• Contribute to research and CPD activities within the centre.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team and assist in training staff.
• Provide Andrology cover when needed and participate in external quality schemes.
• Carry out administrative duties in the embryology laboratory.

Job description

Please refer to the attached Job Description To become fully proficient in, and to perform all clinical embryological procedures (including intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), vitrification and time-lapse technologies) associated with the diagnostic and therapeutic treatment services provided by the Hewitt Fertility Centres.

Main duties and responsibilities

• To participate in the treatment of patients with known high risk diseases (ie HIV, Hepatitis B & Hep C)
• To convey, where necessary, relevant details of treatment (quality of oocytes, sperm and embryos) directly to patients in a clear, concise, and understanding manner.
• To suggest alternative treatments if and when necessary
• To counsel patients regarding the implications of treatment options to ensure correct information is given and relevant questions answered properly in order to assist them in making an informed decision
• To break bad news to patients and counsel them regarding the outcome and further treatment options
• To participate in the annual embryo storage audits and to assist with the system of contact for patients with embryos in storage
• To maintain the liquid nitrogen storage vessels ensuring stored material integrity. This will involve handling of liquid nitrogen, and manual handling of storage vessels in accordance with accepted safe practice
• To perform all duties in accordance with the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act (1990) and the Code of Practice issued by the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority, and any other relevant regulation
• To undertake the formal witnessing of procedures as required by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to ensure the correct identification of patients, gametes (oocytes and sperm) and fresh and frozen embryos
• To ensure that informed consent (in accordance with the HFEA) is in place prior to any treatments being performed
• To anticipate and handle the day-to-day workload and ensure that preparations and procedures are performed effectively and to the highest possible standard, paying meticulous attention to detail
• To work flexibly and perform tasks as and when necessary including out of normal working hours and to participate in a weekend rota. This will include working across all Hewitt Fertility Centre sites
• To perform a daily audit of all equipment to ensure that they are functioning correctly and within critical parameters
• To participate in the maintenance of laboratory equipment and cleaning of the embryology and laboratory and associated areas
• To liaise with centres outside of the Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust regarding workload, treatments, outcome of treatments and transfer of gametes or embryos between centres
• To critically analyse and audit laboratory performance
• To perform accurate and complete data collection as required by the Hewitt Fertility Centre and by the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
• To liaise directly, and by telephone, with colleagues and other members of the Hewitt Fertility Centre staff and other healthcare professionals ensuring that information is conveyed to colleagues accurately and in a timely manner
• To actively participate in the development and maintenance of research within the Hewitt Fertility Centre
• To disseminate research findings and other relevant material at a local, national and international level
• To keep abreast of recent developments within the field of reproductive medicine and to participate in the Continual Professional Development (CPD) scheme operated by the Association of Reproductive Scientists (ARCS)
• To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide the highest possible standard of care
• To assist in the training and supervision of trainees and less experienced staff.
• To participate in the demonstration of procedures during the induction of new members of staff
• To provide Andrology cover when short staffed by performing all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures associated with the Andrology laboratory within the Hewitt Fertility Centres
• To participate in the external QC (UKNEQAS) scheme in accordance with the World Health Organisation and ISO 15189 standards to maintain UKAS accreditation
• To be proficient and use the computer database systems used by the Hewitt Fertility Centre.
• To carry out required administrative duties associated with the embryology laboratory
• To follow procedures, standards and protocols to ensure the best possible clinical outcomes and ensure that procedures are performed effectively and to the highest possible standard, paying meticulous attention to detail
• To present at patient support groups (ie Link Support Group)