About this role
Job summary
The Hewitt Fertility Centre is seeking to appoint an embryologist on a permanent contract to join our highly skilled and dedicated team of 35 scientists. We are dedicated to providing the very best in patient care and offer a full range of laboratory therapeutic and diagnostic treatments. (Including IMSI, PGT, cryopreservation and donation programmes).
The Hewitt Fertility Centre offers as standard the latest time-lapse technologies for all patients in our state-of-the-art laboratories. Successful applicants should be personable with excellent communication skills, experienced in all routine embryological procedures and take part in a weekend and on-call rota.
Suitable applicants must have experience of performing clinical workload within an Embryology laboratory setting and be familiar with the HFEA Code of Practice. HCPC registration, previous experience of biopsy and training junior staff is an advantage, but not a necessity.
Please note, successful applicants will need to provide cover at both Liverpool and Knutsford sites on occasion.
Main duties of the job
To perform all laboratory procedures associated with the diagnostic and therapeutic treatment services provided by the Hewitt Fertility Centres including semen analysis, sperm preparation (including donor, and surgically retrieved testicular and epididymal sperm), oocyte and embryo handling, gamete (ejaculated and surgically retrieved sperm) and embryo cryopreservation, clinical intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), time-lapse technologies and other micromanipulation techniques. To select embryos best suited for embryo transfer and cryopreservation.
About us
Liverpool Women's NHS FT became part ofNHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG)in November 2024, following the coming together with Liverpool University Hospitals NHS FT. UHLG was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide to our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues who are dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond. For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, UHLG is also their local NHS, providing general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
At Liverpool Women's Hospital, each year we deliver approximately 7,500 babies, carry out around 50,000 gynaecological inpatient and outpatient procedures, care for over 1,000 poorly and premature newborns, perform around 1,000 IVF cycles, and conduct over 4,000 genetic appointments.
We believe that this, along with a strong dedication to research and innovation, makes usthespecialist health provider of choice in Europe for women, babies and families.
For roles at Liverpool University Hospitals, visit theircareers page.
UKVI guidelines prohibits sponsorship for all Band 2 posts. Guidelines state that many non-clinical posts are not eligible for sponsorship. Please use UKVI guidance on Skilled Worker Visas to determine your eligibility for sponsorship if you were to gain a conditional offer for this role.
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job
Job description Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description
To become fully proficient in, and to perform all clinical embryological procedures (including intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), vitrification and time-lapse technologies) associated with the diagnostic and therapeutic treatment services provided by the Hewitt Fertility Centres.
Main duties and responsibilities
To participate in the treatment of patients with known high risk diseases (ie HIV, Hepatitis B & Hep C)
To convey, where necessary, relevant details of treatment (quality of oocytes, sperm and embryos) directly to patients in a clear, concise, and understanding manner. To suggest alternative treatments if and when necessary
To counsel patients regarding the implications of treatment options to ensure correct information is given and relevant questions answered properly in order to assist them in making an informed decision
To break bad news to patients and counsel them regarding the outcome and further treatment options
To participate in the annual embryo storage audits and to assist with the system of contact for patients with embryos in storage
To maintain the liquid nitrogen storage vessels ensuring stored material integrity. This will involve handling of liquid nitrogen, and manual handling of storage vessels in accordance with accepted safe practice
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, and any other relevant regulation
To undertake the formal witnessing of procedures as required by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to ensure the correct identification of patients, gametes (oocytes and sperm) and fresh and frozen embryos
To ensure that informed consent (in accordance with the HFEA) is in place prior to any treatments being performed
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
To work flexibly and perform tasks as and when necessary including out of normal working hours and to participate in a weekend rota. This will include working across all Hewitt Fertility Centre sites
To perform a daily audit of all equipment to ensure that they are functioning correctly and within critical parameters
To participate in the maintenance of laboratory equipment and cleaning of the embryology and laboratory and associated areas
To liaise with centres outside of the Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust regarding workload, treatments, outcome of treatments and transfer of gametes or embryos between centres
To critically analyse and audit laboratory performance
To perform accurate and complete data collection as required by the Hewitt Fertility Centre and by the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
To liaise directly, and by telephone, with colleagues and other members of the Hewitt Fertility Centre staff and other healthcare professionals ensuring that information is conveyed to colleagues accurately and in a timely manner
To actively participate in the development and maintenance of research within the Hewitt Fertility Centre
To disseminate research findings and other relevant material at a local, national and international level
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 Scientists (ARCS)
To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide the highest possible standard of care
To assist in the training and supervision of trainees and less experienced staff. To participate in the demonstration of procedures during the induction of new members of staff
To provide Andrology cover when short staffed by performing all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures associated with the Andrology laboratory within the Hewitt Fertility Centres
To participate in the external QC (UKNEQAS) scheme in accordance with the World Health Organisation and ISO 15189 standards to maintain UKAS accreditation
To be proficient and use the computer database systems used by the Hewitt Fertility Centre. To carry out required administrative duties associated with the embryology laboratory
To follow procedures, standards and protocols to ensure the best possible clinical outcomes and ensure that procedures are performed effectively and to the highest possible standard, paying meticulous attention to detail
To present at patient support groups (ie Link Support Group)
Person Specification
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 Certificate Clinical Embryology awarded by the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists (ARCS) and the Institute of Biology or a graduate of the Modernising Scientific Careers STP training programme.
Desirable
Relevant higher degree related to the field
Professional requirements Essential
Professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Desirable
Enrolled in a recognised programme for continuing professional education
Previous experience Essential
Experience within the field of assisted conception and reproductive medicine
Desirable
Micromanipulation experience Biopsy experience NHS experience Research experience
Team Work Essential
Able to work within a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
Previous experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Flexibility & Adaptability Essential
To have a flexible approach to work (including out of normal hours) Able to adapt to the changing needs of the team/service
Initiative Essential
Able to work without direct supervision Able to work under own initiative and make clinical decisions
Desirable
Able to assess situations and suggest possible solutions in order to enhance the service
Commitment/Confidentiality Essential
Understanding of the importance of patient confidentiality Able to work with a high level of commitment to deliver the highest possible standard of service at all times
Organisational Skills Essential
Able to make efficient use of time and to complete workload and tasks Able to prioritise tasks
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).
Employer details Employer name Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust
Address Hewitt Fertility Centre Knutsford
4 The Pavilions, Knutsford Business Park
Knutsford
WA16 8ZR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.liverpoolwomens.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)