Deputy Laboratory Manager - Fertility Clinic
7 hours ago
Nuneaton
Deputy Laboratory Manager - Fertility Clinic (Embryology/Andrology) About the Role We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Deputy Laboratory Manager to support the leadership, daily operations, and continuous improvement of our fertility laboratory. You will act as second-in-command to the Lab Manager, ensuring safe, compliant, and high-performing delivery of embryology and andrology services, including IVF/ICSI cycles, vitrification, cryostorage management, and end-to-end quality control. This role combines clinical embryology expertise with people leadership, operational oversight, and rigorous quality management. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership & Workflow Oversee day-to-day embryology/andrology workflows to ensure timely, safe, and efficient service delivery across all treatment cycles (IVF, ICSI, IUI, surgical sperm procedures, PGT pathways). Act as duty lead in the Lab Manager's absence; manage lab scheduling, case assignment, and rota coverage (including weekends/bank holidays). Ensure full traceability and chain-of-custody of gametes/embryos with robust witnessing (electronic/manual) and documentation at every stage. Coordinate theatre and procedure lists (oocyte retrievals, embryo transfers, semen analyses/processing) with nursing and medical teams. Clinical & Technical Excellence Perform and supervise core embryology procedures: oocyte assessment, insemination/ICSI, fertilisation checks, embryo culture and grading, assisted hatching (if applicable), biopsy (if trained), vitrification/warming, embryo transfer preparation. Maintain and optimise culture systems (incubators, media, time-lapse platforms) and aseptic technique within LAF hoods and cleanroom conditions. Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for clinical or technical deviations; support validation/verification of new equipment, consumables, and methods before clinical use. Oversee cryostorage integrity (liquid nitrogen tanks, inventory, alarms, topping schedules, temperature/level monitoring, and contingency). Quality, Risk & Compliance Champion QMS adherence aligned to HFEA Code of Practice , clinic SOPs, CAPA, change control, risk assessments, and incident management. Prepare for and participate in audits/inspections (internal, supplier, external regulators), ensuring findings are addressed promptly with sustainable actions. Maintain robust environmental and equipment monitoring (calibration, maintenance, IQ/OQ/PQ, cleaning logs, sterile supplies management, COSHH). Ensure accurate, contemporaneous records in LIMS/EMR; uphold data protection and confidentiality (GDPR). Contribute to KPI setting, monitoring, and reporting (fertilisation, blastulation, utilisation rates, clinical pregnancy/live birth proxies, biopsy/vitrification survival, turnaround times). Support business continuity and emergency response planning (power failures, alarms, disaster recovery for cryostorage/equipment). People Leadership & Development Supervise, coach, and develop embryologists, andrologists, and trainees; deliver competency assessments and sign-offs. Lead induction and ongoing training on SOPs, witnessing systems, aseptic practice, and critical procedures; drive a positive safety culture. Provide clear performance feedback and support wellbeing; foster collaboration with medical, nursing, and admin teams. Patient-Centred Care & Communication Communicate sensitively and clearly with patients (where appropriate) regarding laboratory procedures, consent queries, and expectations. Support consent processes in collaboration with nursing/medical teams; ensure all consents are valid, documented, and traceable. Promote evidence-based practice and patient information materials; contribute to continuous patient experience improvement. Innovation & Continuous Improvement Track scientific developments and introduce best practice in culture systems, cryobiology, and lab technology (e.g., time-lapse, AI-assisted tools, electronic witnessing). Lead/assist in R&D, audits, and service improvement projects; present outcomes to the governance/quality committee. Essential Qualifications & Experience Degree in a relevant life science (e.g., Biological/Biomedical Sciences, Reproductive Science) or equivalent. Significant post-qualification experience as a Clinical Embryologist in an HFEA-licensed IVF lab, with proficiency across IVF/ICSI, embryo culture, grading, vitrification/warming, and cryostorage management. Demonstrable experience mentoring/junior supervision and acting as deputy/lead on shift or projects. Strong knowledge of QMS, risk management, incident reporting, CAPA, change control, and audit readiness in a regulated environment (HFEA). Proven competency with LIMS/EMR, electronic witnessing, lab equipment (incubators, benchtop analysers, LN2 cryogenic systems), and environmental monitoring. Desirable Registration or eligibility for professional registration (e.g., HCPC Clinical Scientist via equivalence; ESHRE Clinical Embryologist certification). Experience with PGT workflows and embryo biopsy. Experience implementing/validating new platforms (time-lapse, new media, automation, AI decision-support). Experience contributing to external quality schemes or publishing/auditing outcomes. Leadership/management training or certificate (ILM/CMI or equivalent). TPBN1_UKTJ