Embryologist Associate

Kaiser Permanente; Sacramento, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente is seeking an Embryologist to coordinate and participate in IVF laboratory activities, including egg retrievals, embryo transfers, IVF, ICSI, AH, and cryopreservation. The role requires delivering high‑quality care in line with CAP/CLIA/SART standards.

You will consult with clinicians, work with the IVF Center and satellites, maintain accurate records, ensure safety, QA and QC, and stay up to date with ART advances.

Qualifications

• One year of IVF lab experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related science with coursework in mathematics, statistics and physics.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and prioritize under urgent conditions.
• Strong handwriting and data entry into IVF lab database.
• Effective communication with physicians, nurses and IVF center staff.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and participate in embryology lab activities including egg retrievals, embryo transfers, IVF, ICSI, AH, sperm preparation, embryo culturing, evaluation and cryopreservation.
• Consult with clinicians on technical issues, patient care management, and test interpretation/selection.
• Collaborate with physicians and staff in the IVF Center and satellite facilities.
• Ensure IVF lab services meet CAP, CLIA, NCQA, Title 22, FDA and SART requirements.
• Establish and maintain lab service standards with quality control/assurance and risk management.
• Contribute to laboratory safety, hazardous waste management, chemical hygiene and injury prevention programs.
• Stay current with technological developments through literature searches, seminars, and other modes of communication.
• Author and communicate technical procedures and presentations to internal KP clinicians.

Skills

Embryology

IVF/ICSI

Egg retrievals

Sperm prep

Quality control

Lab safety

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Job Summary:

Under the immediate direction of the Embryology Lab Supervisor, coordinates and participates in clinical laboratory activities as an embryologist. These activities include egg retrievals, embryo transfers, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), fertilization of eggs, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Assisted Hatching (AH), sperm preparation, embryo culturing, embryo evaluation and monitoring and cryopreservation of embryos, eggs and sperm, and cryostorage of embryos, eggs and sperm.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Under the immediate direction of the Embryology Lab Supervisor, coordinates and participates in clinical laboratory activities as an embryologist. Competency expectation includes Andrology lab skills including sperm washes and semen preparation for IUI and IVF, as well as competency in most Embryology skills including: egg retrievals, embryo transfers, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), fertilization of eggs, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Assisted Hatching (AH), sperm and specimen preparation, QC, embryo culturing, embryo evaluation and monitoring, cryopreservation of embryos, eggs and sperm and cryostorage of embryos, eggs and sperm.
• Consults internally with clinicians and providers on technical issues, patient care management, and test interpretation/selection.
• Work collaboratively with the physicians and staff in both the IVF Center as well as the satellite facilities.
• Work collaboratively with larger management team including IVF Lab Director, IVF Program Director, IVF Medical Director and REI/IVF Manager.
• Ensure that all IVF lab services are provided with the highest quality of care in accordance with CAP, CLIA, NCQA, Title 22, FDA and SART Req.
• Establishes implements and maintains clinical laboratory service standards to meet member and internal client expectations that are deemed essential, this includes monitoring results, equipment and laboratory information, while ensuring that meticulous standards for quality control/assurance and risk management are met.
• As requested by the IVF Lab Supervisor, participates in design of laboratory safety and security systems, hazardous waste management, chemical hygiene and injury prevention programs.
• Keeps current with technological developments through literature search, seminars, and other mode of communication.
• As assigned by IVF Lab Supervisor, authors and communicates technical procedures and presentations to internal KP clinicians.
• Kaiser Permanente conducts compensation reviews of positions on a routine basis. At any time, Kaiser Permanente reserves the right to reevaluate and change job descriptions, or to change such positions from salaried to hourly pay status. Such changes are generally implemented only after notice is given to affected employees.

Basic Qualifications:

Experience

• One year of experience in an IVF laboratory or current enrollment/completion of a certificate-based training program.

Education

• Bachelors degree in chemistry, biology, epidemiology or other related science with coursework in mathematics, statistics and physics.

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Must have demonstrated ability to make independent judgment, prioritize work under varied and urgent conditions, maintain accurate lab data, clearly understand and respond to test results, and communicate effectively with physicians, nurses and other IVF center staff.
• Must meet quality, accuracy and productively expectations of the department, while maintaining confidentiality and a safe work environment.
• Must have legible handwriting and demonstrated good attendance and reliability assist with the logistics necessary for normal functioning of laboratory, e.g. inventory control, quality assurance and quality control procedures, as well as maintenance of laboratory records and entry of patient information into IVF lab database.
• Must communicate well in English and exhibit effective interpersonal skills that demonstrate care and concern while dealing efficiently and courteously with patients, customers, staff and providers.
• Knowledge of computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheet design, and database application.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Must be able to provide weekend and holiday coverage as needed.
• Must be able to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred two (2) years of experience supporting an IVF lab.
• Comprehensive training & experience in most aspects of ART clinical lab technologies, tissue culture, Andrology, semen analysis, egg retrieval, assessment, and transfer, sperm and embryo cryopreservation and micromanipulation.
• Masters Degree in related field preferred.