Clinical Embryologist

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., 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 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
Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust has a responsibility and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and for ensuring that they are protected from harm. Every employee of the Trust has a responsibility and is duty bound always to act in the best interest of a child or adult about whom we may have concerns.
Trust policy requires the cost of DBS applications be recovered via salary. The amount of £21.50(standard) or £41.50(enhanced) can be deducted from salary, in manageable monthly instalments for up to 3 months following commencement in post.
The Trust is committed to creating a well-managed,flexible working environment that supports staff & promotes welfare & development. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity;we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community.We operate Zero Tolerance to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment.We will make reasonable adjustments to ensure our recruitment & selection process is accessible to all.Flexible Working applications will be considered.
If you are disabled and have special support needs in applying for a job, attending for an interview or in undertaking any tests as part of a selection process, please contact the Trust's recruitment team on and someone from that team will ensure that the recruiting manager is aware of your particular needs.
Please Note:new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first paypoint of the relevant band.
LWH has a responsibility & is committed to safeguarding & promoting the welfare of children, young people & vulnerable adults & for ensuring that they are protected from harm. Every employee of the Trust has a responsibility & is duty bound always to act in the best interest of a child or adult about whom we may have concerns.
Liverpool Women's Hospital is committed to having a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. To this end, we particularly welcome applicants from racially minoritised backgrounds, who have a disability, or are members of the Armed Forces, Reservists or Veterans.
For agenda for change banded roles; salary payments will reflect the 2023/24 pay scales. The 2024/25 pay scales will be paid in October 2024 including any backpay due. Therefore should the successful applicant start in post prior to October, the salary will initially reflect the 2023/24 pay scales.

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 is a must and we only encourage those with HCPC registration to apply.
Part time employment will be considered, please make a note of this on your application. Please note, successful applicants will need to provide cover at both Liverpool and Knutsford sites on occasion.

Band 7
Liverpool Women's NHS FT became part of NHS 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 us the specialist health provider of choice in Europe for women, babies and families.
Liverpool Women's has an excellent reputation and is a centre of excellence. It is an exciting environment to work in and a great place to develop your career for many years to come.
We invite you to review why Liverpool Women's Hospital is a great place to work: https://vimeo.com/556197652
We reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received sufficient applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role., Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust delivers the highest standards of care for women, babies and families. Each year we deliver over 7,500 babies, carry out over 49,000 gynaecological inpatient and outpatient procedures, care for over 1,000 poorly & preterm newborns, perform around 1,000 IVF cycles and have over 4,000 genetic appointments taking place. We believe that this along with a strong dedication to research & innovation makes us the specialist health provider of choice in Europe for women, babies and families.
We have some of the leading experts in their field, which has been showcased on national TV and news, making our teams famous across the world for professionalism, skill & compassion.
The Trust is constantly innovating and evolving it's services to provide the most cutting edge and modern care possible. As well as developing services on our current site we have long-term aspirations for the future. We have recently launched a number of new strategies which provide a detailed long-term plan for our services.
Check out why Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust is a great place to work using the links below:
Video: https://vimeo.com/556197652
Online brochure: https://www.liverpoolwomens.nhs.uk/media/4121/recruitment-pack-great-place-to-work-16pp-v4-final.pdf