Lead Clinical Embryologist

Job responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities

1. To manage on a day-to-day basis, and participate in all laboratory procedures associated with the diagnostic and therapeutic treatment services provided by the Hewitt Fertility Centres, including: fertility and post-vasectomy semen analysis, sperm preparation, oocyte and embryo handling, gamete cryopreservation (eggs and ejaculated and surgically retrieved sperm) and embryo cryopreservation, clinical intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-M/SR and PGT-A) and any other micromanipulation techniques as implemented.

1. To manage on a day-to-day basis all scientific staff within the Hewitt Fertility Centre including Clinical Embryologists, Clinical and Biomedical Andrologists, Research Scientists, and associated scientific administrative staff.

1. To deputise for the Scientific Director, when necessary, in providing a lead in the provision of scientific services to the Hewitt Fertility Centres.

1. To manage procedures, standards and protocols to ensure the best possible clinical outcomes. To be responsible for all laboratory paperwork (ie forms and Standard Operating Procedures [SOPs]) being produced and being up-to-date with regard to procedures.

1. To anticipate, organise and participate in the day-to-day workload and ensure that procedures are performed effectively and to the highest possible standard, paying meticulous attention to detail.

1. In collaboration with the Quality Manager, to organise, lead and participate in, regular scientific, HFEA and procedural audit to ensure that laboratory procedures are performed effectively and to the highest possible standard, and that SOPs are accurate and relevant to routine clinical practice. This includes staff competency audit and review of the quality of clinical practice.

1. To ensure staffing resources are efficiently and effectively deployed by adopting appropriate working arrangements. To manage the provision of weekly and weekend rotas for Embryology and Andrology laboratories ensuring sufficient cover is provided for workload.

1. To ensure the laboratory facilities within the Hewitt Fertility Centre are maintained in a fit state for practice in accordance with relevant requirements and recommendations, overseeing the maintenance, servicing and monitoring of critical equipment, according to HFEA regulation.

1. Responsible for costing, co-ordinating and leading the service and repair of supporting systems, including air handling units, generators, liquid and gas nitrogen generators, and other gas-line systems. This includes ensuring the Hewitt Fertility Centre provides a safe environment for staff and a suitable environment for the procurement, processing and storage of gametes and embryos, according to the HFEA Code of Practice.

1. Responsible for safe working practices in all Hewitt Fertility Centre laboratories.

1. To assist the Scientific Director in the planning and implementation of new laboratory services, or development of existing services, in line with the strategies and objectives of the Hewitt Fertility Centre.

1. To actively participate, and lead in, Hewitt transformational projects as and when they are required.

1. Responsible for, and overall management of the training and professional development of junior staff and to be responsible for arranging training rotas.

1. To assist the Scientific Director with staff recruitment and retention.

1. To assist the Scientific Director with reporting clinical incidents, performing root cause analyses, and assessing and managing risk.

1. To assist the Scientific Director in preparation for HFEA and UKAS (and other regulatory bodies) inspections and any information/documentation that is requested at any other time.

1. To assist in the critical analysis and audit of laboratory performances.

1. To convey, where necessary, relevant details directly to patients in a clear, concise and understanding manner.

1. To inform patients, when necessary, of the quality of their oocytes and sperm (ejaculated or surgically retrieved) and suggest alternative treatments if and when necessary. To counsel patients prior to any additions or changes to treatment and obtain informed consent ensuring correct information is given and relevant questions answered properly.

1. To manage, and participate in, the audits of cryo-stored material as required by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and other regulatory bodies. To facilitate the system of contact for patients with embryos in storage and being available to speak to patients and answer any questions with regard to their embryos in storage. To actively remove and dispose of embryos and gametes once consent has expired, or been withdrawn, ensuring that all the correct information and patient details are in place.

1. To actively participate in the development and maintenance of research within the Hewitt Fertility Centre including the attendance and presentation of data at scientific meetings.

1. To participate in the external QC (UKNEQAS) in accordance with the World Health Organisation and United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) standards (ISO 15189:2022) to maintain UKAS accreditation.

1. To be proficient and use computer database systems used by the Hewitt Fertility Centre.

1. To manage the provision of Andrology cover when short staffed by performing all diagnostic procedures associated with the Andrology laboratory within the Hewitt Fertility Centre.

1. 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.

1. To ensure that informed consent (in accordance with the HFEA) is in place prior to any treatments being performed.

1. To undertake the formal witnessing of procedures as required by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

1. 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.

1. To oversee the ordering and stocktaking of stocks for both the Embryology and Andrology laboratories and also for oocyte collection and embryo transfer procedures, ensuring that all consumables comply with HFEA Code of Practice.

1. To work flexibly and perform tasks as and when necessary including out of normal working hours and to participate in a weekend and lead on call rota. This will include working across all Hewitt Fertility Centre sites.

1. To critically analyse and audit laboratory performance.

1. To manage and perform accurate and complete data collection as required by the Hewitt Fertility Centre and by the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority.

1. To liaise directly, and by telephone, with colleagues and other members of the Hewitt Centre staff and other hospital staff ensuring that information is conveyed to colleagues accurately and in a timely manner.

1. To provide written reports following sample production and cryopreservation of semen and testicular biopsies in relation to their suitability for future treatments.

1. 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 and Clinical Scientists (ARCS).

1. To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide the highest possible standard of patient care liasing effectively with medical, nursing, counselling, administrative and operational staff both within the organisation and from external organisations.

1. To participate in laboratory, audit, clinical review, research, donation and other relevant meetings.

1. To undertake any other additional duties appropriate to the post.

1. To be on-call for the Hewitt Centre monitoring system and attend the unit when required or organise appropriate members of staff to attend.

1. To take a positive role in the Personal Development Review process and to train as a Personal Development Reviewer.

Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor of Science Degree in life sciences (or an equivalent qualification) from an EU University; alternative degrees or other qualifications may be acceptable

Desirable

• Relevant higher degree
• Certificate and/or Diploma in Clinical Embryology
• MSc Clinical Embryology

Professional Requirements

Essential

• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Recognised by the HFEA as an ICSI practitioner
• Clear demonstration of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Recognised by the HFEA as an embryo biopsy practitioner.
• Enrolled on ARCS CPD scheme

Previous Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 5 years experience in clinical embryology
• Experience of managing a large clinical science team
• Commitment to continuing selfdevelopment and the development of all staff
• Patient contact

Desirable

• NHS experience
• Regular attendance at meetings
• Participation in high quality research within the last two years

Responsibiliy

Essential

• Able to accept responsibility for functions/procedures within a working environment
• Experience in team leadership

Team Work

Essential

• Able to work within a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Previous experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team

Organisation Skills

Essential

• Able to make efficient use of time and to complete workload and tasks
• Able to prioritise tasks

Flexibility & Adaptability

Essential

• To have a flexible approach to work (including out of normal hours)
• Able to adapt to the changing needs of a team/service

Initiative

Essential

• Able to work unsupervised
• Able to work under own initiative

Desirable

• Able to assess situations and suggest possible solutions in order to enhance the service

Commitment

Essential

• Able to work with a high level of commitment to deliver the highest possible standard of service at all times

Confidentiality

Essential

• Understanding of the importance of patient confidentiality

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).