POSITION SUMMARY:
The position's primary focus is to participate in daily operations and provide a competent skill set for all aspects of human embryology. This position includes 'hands on' involvement in clinical IVF laboratory work and coordination of projects as directed by the Laboratory Director. The candidate will be expected to be a leader in the embryology laboratory and maintain CLIA and CAP standards regarding quality control/ quality management, procedural guidelines and day-to-day management of the IVF laboratory. There may be an expectation to participate in CAP preparation and peer inspections. This position is for a fully trained human embryologist and the expectation is for the individual to take ownership of projects and participate in department conferences and provide feedback for optimizing patient care in the laboratory. The Senior Embryology position responsibilities will include all embryology procedures, QA documentation, QC reporting, and associated administrative duties. The candidate will have a working knowledge of SART, embryo biopsy and egg vitrification and thaw experience. This position will require weekend and holiday rotations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Qualified individuals must have the ability (with or without reasonable accommodation) to perform the following duties:
•Exhibits attention to detail with awareness and understanding of the sensitive and confidential nature of infertility and ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) treatments.
•Complies with HIPPA privacy regulations.
•Performs clerical tasks diligently and follows established protocols and laboratory guidelines.
•Enters data into computer databases and other software programs meticulously.
•Maintains detailed and accurate patient logs and laboratory reports.
•Communicates detailed information to patients, staff and regulatory bodies.
•Performs laboratory ordering and stocking.
•Follows aseptic techniques.
•Demonstrates basic knowledge of reproductive biology including the male and female reproductive system.
•Must be comfortable with the physical handling of oocytes, embryos and semen including potentially contaminated, hazardous (i.e. infectious) biological specimens.
•Processes semen samples for IVF and other ART procedures.
•Demonstrates competence in the correct assessment, count and grading of oocytes, embryos and sperm.
•Identifies and isolates oocytes/eggs during retrievals.
•Performs conventional insemination
•Performs embryo transfers
•Performs embryo freezing and thawing.
•Identifies sperm from testicular and epididymal procedures (TESE/MESA) and freezes the sample.
•Competently and independently performs micromanipulation of eggs and sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and of embryos for assisted hatching (AH).
•Competently and independently freezes and warms oocytes/eggs.
•Identifies and trouble shoots laboratory issues.
•Performs ICSI using extremely poor quality sperm, including sperm from surgically aspirated or extracted tissue.
•Competently and independently performs embryo biopsies.
•Covers weekends and holidays independently.
•Trains and supervises new staff and identifies breaches in protocols.
•Takes ownership of large clinical projects.
•May pursue American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB) certification.
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS: The following duties are considered secondary to the primary duties listed above: Add 0-3 additional bullets related to non-essential functions that are expected of the job.
Performs duties in accordance with Penn Medicine and entity values, policies, and procedures
Other duties as assigned.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor of Science degree in biology or a related field
- Minimum of 5 years of clinical embryology experience
- Specialized experience/training in Human IVF.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS
Attention/Concentration: The following level of ability is essential for the jobholder to focus on certain aspects of current experience and reject others.
The position requires strong concentration skills. The individual must have the ability to voluntarily sustain concentration to a task over an extended period of time as a result of an effortful and usually deliberate heightened and focused state of attention.
New Learning and Memory: The following level of ability is essential for the jobholder to learn and retain material.
A large portion of this position requires reliance on verbal memory and new learning. Efficiency in processing of verbal information, either in written or spoken form, is a major requirement and prerequisite of the job. The individual must be able to attend to and process multiple bits of information simultaneously. The individual must be able to organize and categorize this information effectively so that later recall is feasible.
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Creative Thinking: The following level of ability that is essential for the jobholder to think (in order to solve a problem) by combining two or more elements from past experience or imaginative thought.
The position requires much autonomy of thought and problem solving. The individual must be able to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems. The individual must be able to think abstractly, which is manifested in the ability to form concepts, use categories, generalize from single instances, apply procedural rules and general principles, and be aware of subtle or intrinsic aspects of a problem. The development of hypothesis and potential solutions to problems involves careful interpretation, analysis and diagnosis. The individual must be able to collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. The individual must be able to think creatively with a degree of inventiveness, experimentation and intuition. They must be able to deal with a variety of concrete and abstract variables.
APTITUDES: The following are essential requirements of the position in relation to job-worker situations. These items describe how a worker must adapt, adjust, conform or act.
Performing under stressful conditions: Ability to perform under stress when confronted with emergency, critical, unusual, or dangerous situations, or in situations in which working speed and sustained attention are critical aspects of the job. Is subject to danger or risk, or to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.
Variety and change: Ability to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure involving significant differences in technologies, techniques, procedures, environmental factors, physical demands, or work situations.
Communication: Ability to exchange information with others clearly and concisely; to present ideas, facts and technical information.
Interpersonal relations: Ability to maintain relationships that facilitate task accomplishment; to cooperate and resolve conflicts; to recognize needs and be sensitive of others.
EQUIPMENT USAGE REQUIREMENTS
Equipment/Tools: Computer, Phone, Copier, Printer, Fax, Office Supplies, Laboratory equipment
Software: Microsoft Office Products, Baby Sentry, EMR system
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Rarely 0-10%; Occasionally 11-35%; Frequently 36-70%; Continuously 71-100%
Body Position/Movement:
Lifting: Degree of physical exertion is: Light, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
Sensory Abilities specifically required: Delete any of the following sensory abilities that do NOT apply.
Vision
Hearing
Touch/Feeling
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
WORKING CONDITIONS: From the following statements, select the one that applies and delete the other.
Position involves exposure to the following harmful elements:
Disclaimer: This job description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be a reflection of those principal job elements essential for recruitment and selection, for making fair job evaluations, and for establishing performance standards. The percentages of time spent performing job duties are estimates, and should not be considered absolute. The incumbent shall perform all other functions and/or be cross-trained as shall be determined at the sole discretion of management, who has the right to amend, modify, or terminate this job in part or in whole. Incumbent must be able to perform all job functions safely.