Description

Senior Embryologists report directly to the Chief Embryologist and Operational Lab Director. Senior embryologists perform approximately 95-98% of their job working directly with patient samples under microscopes in the in vitro fertilization laboratory. They must have an astute attention to detail, excellent hand eye coordination, precise fine motor skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure.

Duties and Responsibilities (Authorized to perform the following):

• Oocyte retrieval: identify oocytes in follicular fluid using a modified isolette fitted with a dissecting microscope. Move oocytes using glass Pasteur pipette.
• Embryo transfer: load embryos into a catheter using a modified isolette fitted with a dissecting microscope. This also includes assisting the physician with catheter handling and positioning.
• Embryo evaluations: evaluate each embryo from each patient daily using a high power inverted microscope.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI): oocyte microinjection using a high power inverted microscope fitted with micromanipulators and fine glass pipetting tools.
• Laser assisted hatching: zona (outer membrane of oocytes and embryos) ablation using high power inverted microscope fitted with medical grade laser.
• Embryo biopsy: removal of a cell or group of cells from embryos using high power inverted microscope fitted with medical grade laser and micromanipulators and fine glass pipetting tools. This also includes the transfer of the biopsied cells into microcentrifuge tubes with fine transfer pipettes under a dissecting microscope using sterile technique.
• Gamete and Embryo cryopreservation: the freezing and thawing of surplus oocytes and embryos using specialized cryo devices and fine transfer pipettes under a dissecting. This involves working with liquid nitrogen.
• Culture dish preparation: label and prepare the dishes and media for the next day using sterile technique.
• Miscellaneous: lab stocking, daily quality control testing, daily, weekly, monthly and annual maintenance of equipment, monitoring of liquid nitrogen levels in storage tanks, patient chart preparation, embryology data entry.

Qualifications

Senior embryologists do not require supervision for specimen processing, test performance, or result reporting once they have been signed off as trained and competent in each task.

Supervisor review: not required to report patient test results

Education and Experience: Bachelors Degree in Biological Science and certification as Technical Supervisor (ABB) or Masters Degree in Biological Science or PhD in Biological science.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Strong communication skills.Ability to work as part of a team and collaborate effectively with nurses, physicians, and other lab staff. Proficiency with Microsoft office application