Clinical Embryologist

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the North West Region is seeking a skilled Clinical Embryologist to manage laboratory operations within the Department of Reproductive Medicine. The successful candidate will ensure high-quality patient care by performing a full range of embryology procedures, including IVF and embryo management. This role involves advising medical staff, managing laboratory procedures, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. Weekend shifts may be required to meet service demands.

Qualifications

• Responsible for managing clinical embryology laboratory operations.
• Ensures high-quality patient services through scientific expertise.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory duties including oocyte retrieval and embryo culture.
• Provide complex advice impacting patient management.
• Maintain records and perform data collection for audits.

Skills

Clinical Embryology

Laboratory Management

Patient Care

Education

Relevant Scientific Degree

Job description

The post holder is responsible for part of the daily operations of the Clinical Embryology laboratory within the Department of Reproductive Medicine. This department offers infertility treatments to the North West Region of England, including In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), donor sperm insemination (DI), cryopreservation and vitrification of sperm, embryos, and ovarian tissue, semen banking prior to cancer treatment, and provision of donated gametes. The department also leads nationally and internationally in clinical and research areas such as tissue cryopreservation and human embryo development research. It operates under regulation and licensing by UK statutory bodies including the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

The post holder ensures patient care through managing the clinical Embryology laboratory, which provides direct treatment services including creation of human embryos via IVF, and their storage or disposal. They are expected to apply their scientific expertise to perform a full range of clinical embryology procedures, ensuring high-quality patient services.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Perform laboratory duties according to instructions, including oocyte retrieval, sperm preparation, fertilisation assessment, embryo culture, transfer, cryopreservation/vitrification, thawing, and Surgical Sperm Recovery (SSR).
2. Provide complex advice to medical and nursing staff impacting patient management, including semen, oocyte, and embryo quality, and departmental policies.
3. Make decisions regarding laboratory procedures for patient treatment and embryo management, including suitability for treatment, cryopreservation, or disposal.
4. Work weekend shifts on a rota to meet the seven-day service demands.
5. Manage staffing for the on-call rota as mandated by the HFEA Act.
6. Maintain records of patient treatments and perform data collection and analysis for clinical audits, research, and compliance with HFEA regulations.
7. Conduct document reviews, EQRs, process validations, and contribute to the laboratory's quality management system.