Reproductive Technologist

This is a fixed term post for 12 months due to funding.

The Reproductive Technologist (embryology) participates in the provision of services from the embryology laboratory, under the guidance of Senior Embryologists and the embryology team and according to all relevant professional Codes of Conduct.

The postholder will:

• Participate in appropriate laboratory work after suitable training and attaining competence. Areas of practical work may include culture system setup and cryobank maintenance with the possibility of more complex scientific tasks such as semen analysis and egg collection.
• Undertake administrative duties such as data input, audit, verification of electronic and paper-based patient consent and participation in the ongoing storage of cryopreserved samples, which will also make up a significant part of the role.
• Support the embryology team to maintain regulatory compliance with prevailing legislation.
• Be expected to demonstrate appropriate scientific judgement when presented with a range of clinical/scientific facts or scenarios, requiring understanding and comparison/selection of appropriate laboratory methods.
• Use scientific/analytical skills within a role supporting audit and development activity within the service.
• Work to locally and nationally agreed protocols and work closely with qualified staff and senior members of staff.

Main duties of the job:

• Maintain the laboratory in a fit state for practice in accordance with HFEA regulation.
• Undertake a range of laboratory-based tasks after suitable training and gaining competence, utilising specialist knowledge of clinical embryology in addition to routine healthcare science duties.
• Employ good practice when handling unscreened samples and employ aseptic technique when required.
• Ensure that proper written consent is gained before any procedures are carried out.
• Communicate routine information with staff and service users in a clear, empathetic manner during face to face, verbal and written communication.
• Be responsible for the safe use of equipment by oneself and others.
• Assist with maintenance of stock for the embryology laboratory and ensure that stock levels are maintained and recorded appropriately in the embryology laboratory.
• Audit and record own and other staff results manually and electronically. Data entry of treatment information. Audit patient records in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Research and Development:

• Participate in the audits of cryopreserved material, including gametes and embryos as part of HFEA requirements.
• Participate in all research projects involving the service including managing the limited supplies of gametes/embryos donated for use in research projects.
• Ensure all donations into the research programmes have the appropriate consent.
• Participate in regular audit programmes, clinical trials and equipment tests.

About us:

We believe staff are our best asset and we want you to be happy and confident about starting your career here in Swansea Bay University Health Board. As one of the biggest healthcare groups in the UK we can offer a wealth of professional training and development opportunities in an innovative, forward-thinking organisation.

You might be a nurse or doctor, maybe you specialise in a health science/therapy or can offer skills in one of our support services - we have a job for you. There are also apprenticeships, work placements and volunteering roles available.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from everyone whatever their sex; religion or belief; race; age; sexual orientation; gender identity or, whether they are pregnant or have recently been on maternity leave, married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled.

Our values - Caring For Each Other, Working Together and Always Improving, show that our commitment to equality is at the heart of everything we do.

If you want excellent career and training opportunities while living on the doorstep of some of Europe's most spectacular scenery, with all the benefits of a thriving and cosmopolitan city - look no further.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Job responsibilities:

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

Person Specification:

• Qualifications: At least BTEC level 4 in Healthcare science or equivalent. An awareness of HF&E Act and the HFEA Code of Practice. Knowledge and understanding of audit. BSc in Life Sciences. Specialist knowledge of Reproductive Science. Publication of papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Experience: Experience of working in a laboratory. Experience of cell culture maintenance and audit of storage systems. Experience of working in a reproductive science laboratory.
• Essential aptitude and abilities: Adhere to and can demonstrate SBU Values & Behaviours. Ability to review and critically appraise scientific literature and an appreciation of assisted reproduction technologies. Excellent communication skills, empathetic approach. Good hand-eye coordination. Basic computing skills (literature searching, word processing, spreadsheet). Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh.

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.