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.