IVF Laboratory Assistant Associate

Integrated Care System; London; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare institution is seeking an IVF Laboratory Assistant Associate to provide support to the Embryology Team. You'll handle cryopreservation, maintain confidential records, and collaborate with clinicians. A degree in Biological Sciences is required along with laboratory experience. This full-time position offers a salary range of £33,094 to £36,195 and is located in London.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a laboratory setting.
• Previous NHS or private healthcare experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate consent forms for patients' storage of samples.
• Maintain cryotanks and dry shippers safely.
• Ensure accurate records of patient details and freeze records.
• Prepare the environment for handling specimens.
• Manage stocks of laboratory consumables.
• Liaise with administrative staff regarding patient invoicing.

Skills

Understanding of patient confidentiality

Knowledge of Health & Safety policy

Knowledge of NHS working practices

Education

Biological Sciences Degree or Equivalent Experience

Higher Postgraduate Qualification

Job description

Go back Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

IVF Laboratory Assistant Associate

The closing date is 13 August 2025

Cross Site - Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex Hospital

The ACU is seeking to appoint a lab technician to provide basic administrative and technical support to the Embryology Team. The successful applicant will be required to actively participate in routine andrological procedures as well as supporting the Consultant Clinical Embryologist and Senior Staff in the day to day running of the IVF lab.

Chelsea & Westminster's Assisted Conception Unit (ACU) offers a full range of fertility treatments and is proud to have achieved some of the highest success rates in the UK.

Main duties of the job

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe that diversity drives innovation and excellence. As part of our dedication to equity, we actively welcome applications from individuals from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that diverse teams bring and are committed to creating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered to succeed."

If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

About us

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be one of the top performing and safest trusts in England. We have two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital, plus our award-winning clinics across North West London and beyond.

Job responsibilities

Cryopreservation and Long Term Storage

• Co-ordination of relevant consent forms for patients storage of samples and ensuring forms are filed accordingly.
• Filling and maintenance of cryotanks and dry shippers, including safe handling of liquid nitrogen (LN2).
• Ensure that accurate records of patient details and freeze records are kept and that appropriate written consents are obtained and adhered to, including those for utilisation/disposal of gametes/embryos.
• Ensuring that blood screening tests are obtained and up-to-date, and forms filed accordingly.
• Audit of embryo and sperm storage tanks.
• To undertake Roche testing (PCR) of prepared SWP (Sperm washing programme) samples.
• Handling gametes and embryos into and out of LN2.
• Appropriate labelling of dishes, vials, straws and canes.

Record Keeping

• Set up laboratory treatment notes.
• Maintenance and upkeep of confidential records in patient notes, laboratory data books, files and computer database.
• Collection of data and completion of forms for submission to the HFEA.
• Checking appropriate consents are in place for all licensed laboratory procedures.

Stocks & Supplies

• Monitor stock levels of all consumables and order laboratory consumables.
• Sonicate glassware and laboratory consumables for clinical use.

Administrative

• Maintaining up-to-date statistics for IVF, ICSI, IUI and FET, including computer entry of laboratory data.
• Liaising with administrative staff in invoicing patients for embryo / sperm freezing and annual storage fees.
• Maintenance of donor sperm records.
• To undertake other general duties including answering telephone enquiries and photocopying.

Clinical

• Prepare the environment for handling specimens.
• Appropriately identify patients, show them into the semen production room and give instructions for semen production.
• Formal witnessing of tasks as required by the HFEA.
• Correct use of centrifuge as per standard operating procedures (SOP)
• Correct use of laminar flow hood as per SOP
• Correct use of stereo and phase contrast microscopes as per SOP.
• Correct use of incubators as per SOP.
• Basic semen analysis.
• Aliquoting of media using sterile technique.
• Preparation of culture dishes for use in embryological procedures.
• Processing of surgically retrieved sperm.

Other Requirements/ Responsibilities

• Maintain close communication and liaison with Consultant Embryologist.
• To assist and participate in the provision of a high quality, safe and effective clinical service.
• To provide support for the Quality Management System at Chelsea site.
• To take lead on Quality Management System at West Middlesex site.
• Perform technical procedures in accordance with the laboratory SOP and under the supervision of senior scientist at all times; to include preparation of culture dishes/tubes for treatment and aliquoting media.
• Report to the line manager any untoward incident or problem that may impede the provision of the service.
• Maintain sterility and cleanliness within the laboratory continuously.
• Perform appropriate internal and external Quality Control and Assurance tests.
• Act as witness for all laboratory procedures.
• Organising courier services for the transport of donor sperm and patients embryos / sperm between clinics.
• Attend regular Laboratory and Team meetings, and participate in risk assessment.
• Participate in training programmes for Continuing Professional Development and in the Trusts appraisal KSF scheme.
• Participate in staff training and motivation schemes.
• Ensure all procedures are carried out within HFEA Code of Practice and relevant professional bodies ACE, BFS, ESHRE regulations.
• Ensure, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and COSHH regulations that agreed safety procedures are adhered to.

The post holder will also be expected to

• Work within the ACUs Clinical Governance plan.
• Provide input into the development and expansion of the existing clinical service.
• Update the ACU database and support ongoing audit of the infertility and assisted conception services.
• Take part in the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching program within the ACU.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Biological Sciences Degree or Equivalent Experience
• Higher Postgraduate Qualification

Experience

• Working in an employment setting in a laboratory
• Previous NHS or private healthcare experience

Skills and knowledge

• Understanding of need for patient confidentiality
• Knowledge of Health & Safety policy and procedure
• Knowledge of NHS working practices

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.

Employer name

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chelsea and Westminster / West Middlesex Hospital

£33,094 to £36,195 a yearper annum incl. HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Reference number

289-SC-135

Job locations

Chelsea and Westminster / West Middlesex Hospital