Fertility Nurse/Midwife - Part-Time in Southampton

We at TFP are looking for brilliant minds and passionate hearts to help us shape the future of fertility. We are one of the largest fertility service providers in Europe operating our IVF clinics and egg/sperm freezing banks in the UK, Poland and Netherlands. We have embarked on the mission to use technology to provide patients with a memorable best-in-class fertility journey that leads to the best outcome starting a family! At TFP, we offer all our patients the care, understanding and expertise that help to bring dreams to life. We are passionate about what we do, which reflects our commitment to creating lives and changing lives. Science research and innovation are key to how we work and have led to us pioneering fertility treatment for more than 35 years. Many of our clinicians are internationally renowned specialists and we regularly share knowledge across our clinics to further improve our success. Join us at TFP Fertility, where your passion and expertise can contribute to our legacy of excellence.

The post-holder will be one of a group of specialist nurses working within the fertility clinic. Treatments range from IVF and ICSI, Ovulation Induction, Egg donation and Sharing, Egg Recipiency and Surgical Sperm Retrieval. This role is part time working 21 hours per week - weekends on rotation are required. The schedule will be 3 days a week.

Wessex Fertility was established in 1992 and is one of the UK’s longest standing IVF clinics. Due to the passion, expertise and reputation of our team, the clinic has grown into a leading fertility clinic and offers a full suite of treatment and diagnostic services, specialising in PGT and surrogacy. Providing treatment to both NHS and private patients, Wessex Fertility performs approximately 500 fresh cycles and 500 frozen cycles per year. Conveniently located to the East of Southampton, a short distance from junction 7 of the M27, there is ample free parking for staff and patients around the building. Wessex Fertility also has a 5/5 inspection rating from the HFEA and excellent patient review scores.

Key Responsibilities

• To develop a satisfactory level of clinical competence in ART skills e.g. plan and co-ordinate treatment cycles, to undertake specific investigations such as endocrine profiles.
• To assist in the management, and support of sub-fertile couples before, during and after treatment cycles, developing a therapeutic environment to meet the individual needs of the couples.
• To undertake patient consultations before, during and post treatment cycles.
• To ensure that informed consent is given and the appropriate unit and Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority consent forms are completed for the treatment cycle, discussing the risks associated with ART and potential usage of gametes for research.
• To demonstrate excellent communication skills, providing information and implications counselling to enable couples to make informed choices regarding their treatment.
• To demonstrate use of excellent communication skills to support patients and families in highly stressful situations (e.g. breaking bad news, diagnosis of ectopic or miscarriage, managing bereavement and anger management) both face to face and over the telephone.
• To ensure through the process of implications counselling that all couples are aware of the risk of iatrogenic disease such as ovarian hyper-stimulation, multiple pregnancy (with risk of prematurity and death) and the complex issue of research on gametes/embryos and the ethical and moral issues that this raises.
• To explain and complete consent forms for the storage of frozen gametes and the posthumous use thereof for all couples freezing spare gametes with the implications of disposal of property in the event of separation or divorce.
• To keep accurate records for each patient of all communication both and clinical activity relevant to his/her treatment, in line with NMC regulations.
• To help with the production of written information to meet the changing expectation of the needs of the couples/patients.
• To assist with the collation of all data resulting from the procedures and transfer this to the records on the computer and into the patient notes to satisfy HFEA regulations.
• In conjunction with senior nursing staff to be responsible for the booking of the patient’s treatment cycle, planning drug prescribing and liaising with GPs.
• To explain the individualised treatment schedule including the potential side effects of the drug treatment and demonstration of injection technique with the use of subcutaneous injection pen.
• To co-ordinate oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer/intrauterine insemination, donor insemination, provide appropriate counselling, support and advice with cycle outcome.
• To demonstrate skill at interpreting complex clinical information/data, anticipating potential problems, taking action to prevent/minimise these, responding to any changes promptly and effectively and developing specialised plans of care / following the relevant protocols.
• To demonstrate dexterity, accuracy and attention to detail in the preparing of specialist equipment for procedures to be undertaken within the unit/ward whilst adhering to Local policies e.g. intravenous drug administration.
• Taking blood samples, catheterisation etc and to ensure that staff are trained and supported to develop these skills.
• To promote the highest standards of cleanliness and sterility of all equipment used in the IVF guided egg retrieval, saline ultrasound, embryo transfer and intra-uterine insemination procedures in line with HFEA practice.
• To supervise and assist in the preparation and care of the patient and her partner before, during and after the above procedures.
• To demonstrate initiative and provide support in assisting medical staff with procedures e.g. performing transvaginal ultrasound guided oocyte retrieval.
• To work within the legal framework as laid out by the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act of Parliament and Care Quality Commission.
• To manage difficult situations with competence, taking appropriate action, utilising relevant protocols and supporting the patient, their relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team as required.
• To ensure that procedures/policies are in place so that emergency/crisis situations are managed with competence and that patients/relatives and staff members are adequately supported during and after the event.
• To ensure COSHH, Infection Control, Risk Management and maintenance of health and safety within the department is implemented according to unit policy and that every effort is made to identify and minimise potential risks/hazards.
• To ensure that all record keeping on the unit is accurate and legible and maintains patient confidentiality according to Trust and HFEA policy.
• In conjunction with senior nursing staff to ensure all complaints and grievances are dealt with competently and effectively in line with the unit’s complaints procedure.
• To support senior nursing staff with the maintenance of the pharmacy drug stores including controlled drugs in line with Trust policy and Home Office legislation.

Experience & Job requirements

• 1st level registration with NMC
• Interest in women’s health
• Computer skills
• Phlebotomy
• Theatre and recovery
• Desirable – previous experience in the fertility or women’s health setting, educated to degree level, teaching/mentoring qualification, sonography experience

Salary: Competitive (Depending on experience)

Location: TFP Wessex Fertility

Working Hours: 21 hours per week

Weekends required: 1:4

Pension: Dual contribution pension scheme

Holiday Entitlement: 27 Days + Bank holidays (pro rata)