Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and enthusiastic HCPC registered embryologist to join the Reproductive Medicine Team at The Wolfson Fertility Centre, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare Trust as a Senior Embryologist.
The successful candidate will join one of the most prestigious units in the UK, and one of the busiest in London. The state of the art Embryology lab uses the latest equipment and offers comprehensive assisted conception services.
The IVF Unit at Imperial College Healthcare Trust undertakes approximately 1000 IVF/ICSI cycles a year, as well as PGT, fertility preservation including the treatment of transgender patients, gamete donation and surrogacy. The Unit has several active research programmes aligned with Imperial College London.
You should have at least 4 years' experience in clinical embryology with HCPC registration. The successful candidate will be personable, have excellent communication skills, good verbal and written English language skills and be a strong leader and team-player, enabling them to deal with patients directly and liaise with colleagues at all levels. The postholder must have supervisory experience with experience of training scientific, medical and technical staff.
The position is full-time with a weekend/out of hours roster and would suit someone with excellent team playing skills and attention to detail.
Main duties of the job
- To be an efficient and flexible member of the Embryology team providing a quality service to Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
- The Band 8a Scientist will have overall responsibility for the management of a section of the embryology team. This includes responsibility with senior colleagues for the training and selection of trainee embryologists and laboratory technicians within the Embryology team. The training of junior medical personnel, the teaching of visitors attached to the laboratory and ensuring that the safety code is observed by all staff and visitors.
- Participation in NEQAS schemes will be the responsibility of the Head of Embryology, along with introduction and monitoring of new techniques. The monitoring of the progress of junior staff within the laboratory is an important aspect of the job; this involves both in-house training and also some supervision of work set by the Association of Clinical Embryologists
- The post holder is responsible for monitoring Clinical Risk and is required to organise the investigations of incidents reported through the Clinical Governance reporting system.
- The postholder is in charge of all the day to day management of the laboratory staff reporting to them. The postholder will be expected to liaise effectively with the Head of Embryology.
- The post holder reports on all matters related to Clinical Governance to the Head of Embryology in the Directorate responsible for risk reporting and investigation.
About us
At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care. Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You'll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.
Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities. We encourage staff to have the Covid vaccination to protect themselves, patients, other colleagues as well as the wider community. Please note it is an operational requirement to comply with infection prevention and control procedures within the Trust such as lateral flow testing, handwashing and the wearing of masks, according to the procedures in place at any time or location. As part of our continued response to Covid19 we are still conducting the majority of our interviews virtually.
We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part-time or job share.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and Relationship Skills
- Participate in departmental and clinical meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
- Maintain clear and effective lines of communication with all staff which may involve motivational and training skills
- Provides and receives highly complex sensitive information to inform work colleagues, patients or external contacts e.g. clinical consultants, other departments, G.P.s or visitors to the department. This may include providing advice, explanation of sperm, eggs and embryo quality and development.
- May be required to present work relating to their particular areas of responsibility at departmental, regionally and nationally.
Responsibility- Scientific and Technical Duties
- Contribute to the service provision of embryology techniques together with other laboratory staff.
- Provide clinical advice and interpretation of embryo development and survival in conjunction with other senior clinical and scientific staff.
- Provide specialist embryological expertise for the provision and development of specialist services.
- Assist in development and implementation of new embryological technologies and methods
- Contribute to equipment evaluation, selection and validation.
- To be involved in clinical liaison, clinical audit, teaching, and research and development programme within the department.
- Participation in performance monitoring and Quality Assurance
Responsibility- Policy and service
- May be expected to implement and propose changes to laboratory policy.
- May formulate and review operational procedures, training schedules and safety protocols and oversee their practice within their specialist area
- Attend IVF clinic Team meetings to understand resource management, policymaking, planning, review of laboratory organisation and service quality.
Responsibility- Financial and Physical
- Responsible for monitoring consumable stock supplies associated with the embryology laboratory
Responsibility Staff/ HR/ leadership, training
- Maintain, update and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills by participating in the Trusts 1:1 process and PDP development. This includes performing staff appraisals as required.
- Be familiar with core trust policies such as sickness reporting, annual leave requesting, health and safety.
- Be familiar with the Health and Safety policies of the Trust and the department and ensure that they are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees and visitors.
- Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues, including support staff to promote a cohesive laboratory team and the achievement of team objectives.
- Act in a supervisory role as required.
Education
- The post holder will have obtained an M.Sc. in relevant subject.
- Participate in local and national professional training and be expected to complete Part IIRCPath while in post.
- Registration with the Healthcare Professions Council (HPC).
- Must develop and improve your scientific expertise, which may be via CPD within an appraisal programme. Maintain a portfolio of relevant developments achieved.
Responsibility- Information resources
- To demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the IVF unit information system.
- Liaise with and advise the Head of Embryology on developments in Embryology.
- To develop and maintain a range of IT skills including word processing, spreadsheets and any other relevant software.
- To have an active email account.
Responsibility- Research and development
- Implement research and development in one or more aspects of Clinical Embryology and to gradually develop a personal portfolio for research grant potential and support.
- To develop their own interests and specialities within Clinical Embryology including active participation in research programmes.
- To ensure that research opportunities that present are referred to the Head of Embryology for further consideration and potential adoption and collaboration with others in the department ensuring involvement and cooperation of clinical colleagues and other fertility specialities when appropriate.
- To participate in the preparation of project plans, ethical approval and applications for funding from external and internal sources ensuring that expenditure is properly accounted.
- Provide training, support and collaboration with research projects for trainee Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists and medical staff in training when required.
- To jointly project manage with the Head of Embryology the transition of research into mainstream clinical and laboratory practice.
- To liaise effectively with Imperial College to ensure that research is translated into clinical and laboratory practice where practical.
Freedom to Act
Other Duties
- To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and Relationship Skills
- Participate in departmental and clinical meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
- Maintain clear and effective lines of communication with all staff which may involve motivational and training skills
- Provides and receives highly complex sensitive information to inform work colleagues, patients or external contacts e.g. clinical consultants, other departments, G.P.s or visitors to the department. This may include providing advice, explanation of sperm, eggs and embryo quality and development.
- May be required to present work relating to their particular areas of responsibility at departmental, regionally and nationally.
Responsibility- Scientific and Technical Duties
- Contribute to the service provision of embryology techniques together with other laboratory staff.
- Provide clinical advice and interpretation of embryo development and survival in conjunction with other senior clinical and scientific staff.
- Provide specialist embryological expertise for the provision and development of specialist services.
- Assist in development and implementation of new embryological technologies and methods
- Contribute to equipment evaluation, selection and validation.
- To be involved in clinical liaison, clinical audit, teaching, and research and development programme within the department.
- Participation in performance monitoring and Quality Assurance
Responsibility- Policy and service
- May be expected to implement and propose changes to laboratory policy.
- May formulate and review operational procedures, training schedules and safety protocols and oversee their practice within their specialist area
- Attend IVF clinic Team meetings to understand resource management, policymaking, planning, review of laboratory organisation and service quality.
Responsibility- Financial and Physical
- Responsible for monitoring consumable stock supplies associated with the embryology laboratory
Responsibility Staff/ HR/ leadership, training
- Maintain, update and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills by participating in the Trusts 1:1 process and PDP development. This includes performing staff appraisals as required.
- Be familiar with core trust policies such as sickness reporting, annual leave requesting, health and safety.
- Be familiar with the Health and Safety policies of the Trust and the department and ensure that they are followed to maintain a safe working environment for all employees and visitors.
- Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues, including support staff to promote a cohesive laboratory team and the achievement of team objectives.
- Act in a supervisory role as required.
Education
- The post holder will have obtained an M.Sc. in relevant subject.
- Participate in local and national professional training and be expected to complete Part IIRCPath while in post.
- Registration with the Healthcare Professions Council (HPC).
- Must develop and improve your scientific expertise, which may be via CPD within an appraisal programme. Maintain a portfolio of relevant developments achieved.
Responsibility- Information resources
- To demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the IVF unit information system.
- Liaise with and advise the Head of Embryology on developments in Embryology.
- To develop and maintain a range of IT skills including word processing, spreadsheets and any other relevant software.
- To have an active email account.
Responsibility- Research and development
- Implement research and development in one or more aspects of Clinical Embryology and to gradually develop a personal portfolio for research grant potential and support.
- To develop their own interests and specialities within Clinical Embryology including active participation in research programmes.
- To ensure that research opportunities that present are referred to the Head of Embryology for further consideration and potential adoption and collaboration with others in the department ensuring involvement and cooperation of clinical colleagues and other fertility specialities when appropriate.
- To participate in the preparation of project plans, ethical approval and applications for funding from external and internal sources ensuring that expenditure is properly accounted.
- Provide training, support and collaboration with research projects for trainee Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists and medical staff in training when required.
- To jointly project manage with the Head of Embryology the transition of research into mainstream clinical and laboratory practice.
- To liaise effectively with Imperial College to ensure that research is translated into clinical and laboratory practice where practical.
Freedom to Act
Other Duties
- To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- 1st or 2nd Class Hons Science degree or equivalent.
- Completed suitable scientific training (ACE certificate)
- MSc in relevant discipline.
- HPC Registration
Desirable
Skills
Essential
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Good practical skills and technical competence
- Flexible, reliable, self motivated.
Experience
Essential
- Postgraduate laboratory experience in Clinical Embryology
Desirable
- Experience in audit, developmental and project work.
- Research publications in a relevant field
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- 1st or 2nd Class Hons Science degree or equivalent.
- Completed suitable scientific training (ACE certificate)
- MSc in relevant discipline.
- HPC Registration
Desirable
Skills
Essential
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Good practical skills and technical competence
- Flexible, reliable, self motivated.
Experience
Essential
- Postgraduate laboratory experience in Clinical Embryology
Desirable
- Experience in audit, developmental and project work.
- Research publications in a relevant field
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
