Job Title: Senior Embryologist
Report To: Lab Manager
Responsible Person (regarding Tissues and Cells activities)
Job Overview:
- This position will report directly to the Thérapie Fertility Laboratory Manager.
- The Senior Embryologist will be responsible for performing all clinical laboratory procedures carried out in the laboratory with a consistent high standard of execution.
- The Senior Embryologist is responsible for maintaining and documenting the associated records within the requirements of the EU Directive 2004/23/EC and the National Regulation S.I. 158/2006 and S.I. 598/2007 for Tissue and Cells.
- The Senior Embryologist will work with the laboratory manager on a daily basis, in the execution of these tasks, and assume responsibility for these tasks in the absence of the lab manager.
Responsibilities and duties:
Clinical Skills and Tasks:
· Proficiency in all specialist IVF techniques including but not exclusively:
· General preparation of culture media and dish preparation for all laboratory procedure in line with good laboratory practice.
· Semen analysis, sperm preparation for IVF, ICSI and IUI procedures, donor sperm preparation, processing and analysis of surgically retrieved sperm (TESE). Cryopreservation of semen and TESE samples.
· Oocyte retrieval, denudation of oocytes, insemination via IVF and Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using ejaculated and TESE samples, fertilisation assessment and morphological grading and annotation at zygote, cleavage and blastocyst stage of development.
· Vitrification and warming of oocytes and embryos.
· Laser assisted hatching, Embryo transfer and IUI.
· Responsible for daily patient-specific decisions, and effective and accurate communication of these decisions between colleagues, physicians, and patients in a sympathetic and professional manner.
· Report any critical incident in a timely fashion to the Laboratory Manager, RP and Quality Manger/Deputy RP.
· Attend daily or weekly clinic meetings where appropriate and embryology lab meetings.
· Responsible for the orientation provision of appropriate training to embryology staff regarding laboratory standard operating procedures and participate and supervise training where necessary. Assist in the compilation of training manuals.
· General ongoing daily and weekly laboratory maintenance. The cleaning and decontamination or workstations after each procedure and ensuring the laboratory, gowning room and all equipment is clean, stocked and organised.
· Continuous monitoring of equipment, media and consumables in the laboratory and reporting any issues to the laboratory manager.
· Maintain daily records of consumables in use.
· Adhere to patient identification and ensure traceability of all tissue and cells, via labelling, manual witnessing, use of RI Witness software and documentation on the EMR System.
Ancillary Laboratory Tasks:
· Meticulous documentation of all medical and laboratory records and strict adherence to standard operating procedures is essential.
· Observe the strictest confidentiality when dealing with all aspects of patient or clinic information, and immediately report all issues relating to breaches of personal data to the Data Protection Officer.
· Assist in the control of stock inventory to acceptable safe levels for the embryology laboratory.
· Participate in the donor sperm selection and ordering process including receipt of samples, appropriate documentation on the EMR and assist with reporting to the Department of Health in line with the Children and Family Relationship Act 2015.
· General knowledge and familiarity of all equipment used in the embryology lab. Assist the Laboratory Manager to ensure equipment is appropriately maintained, serviced and calibrated and investigate and troubleshoot any issues detected. Provide rotating support for 24-hours alarm back up.
· Support the lab manager in the day-to-day management of the embryology lab and stand in for the lab manager in their absence.
· Maintain an awareness of the latest developments in the field of assisted human reproduction and attend webinars and conferences where appropriate.
· Responsible for ensuring all QMS documentation is up to date and highlight any deficiencies to be reviewed and approved by the Laboratory Manager.
· Participate in the development of policies, procedures and standards as they relate to laboratory procedures.
· Participate in continuous quality assessment and risk management on an ongoing basis.
· Direct and participate in laboratory audits and report and resolve any issued directly with the laboratory manager and quality manager.
· Participate and aid in the preparation of all regulatory inspections with the HPRA and assist the laboratory manager in responses to inspection findings to the HPRA.
Qualifications, Skills and Attributes:
· At least a Bachelor's degree or higher in a Biological Science.
· Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Embryology and minimum of 1 years’ experience working in an Irish Tissue and Cells establishment regulated by the HPRA.
· Computer literacy including intermediate to advanced knowledge to system such as but not limited to EMR software (IDEAS), RI Witness System, Microsoft Excel and Word.
· General knowledge of Quality and Risk Management System in Healthcare
· Experience with National and European Tissues and Cells legislations.
· Excellent attention to detail, meticulous record keeping and good organisational and problem-solving skills.
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
· Strong Team Player and can work independently.
Salary: € DOE plus pension, health insurance and Thérapie Clinic/ Thérapie Fertility Perks
