Embryology Laboratory Associate

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Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust Embryology Laboratory Associate

The closing date is 21 September 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work as an Embryology Laboratory Associate as part of the Clinical Embryology team, within Gateshead Fertility to provide to provide a range of fertility treatments.

This role is a mix of practical protocol-driven laboratory techniques, administrative and audit duties and involves direct patient contact. You will support the clinical embryology team andcontribute to maintaining and improving quality in all aspects of the laboratory.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of this role are to :

1. Perform protocol-driven laboratory techniques such as oocyte retrieval and andrology procedures , as well as the preparation of culture dishes, using sterile techique. The candidate should possess good dexterity and a meticulous approach to lab skills.
2. Contribute to the maintenance of the laboratory, from cleaning and quality assurance of medical equipment, stock management and traceability and maintainance of storage dewar including regular handling of liquid nitrogen. Important skills are accurate date recording, high standards of care and communication with colleagues.
3. Maintenance of specialised databases, patient records, review of consents and blood work and participation in audit.
4. Participation in a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, nurses, medical staff and administrative staff and communication with patients

About us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Details

Date posted

14 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

297-8117061

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Prepare the laboratory environment for handling specimens.

Appropriately identify patients, show them into the semen production room and give instructions for semen production.

Safe handling of liquid nitrogen, including filling of storage dewars and preparing dry shipper for use.

Handling gametes and embryos into and out of liquid nitrogen.

Formal witnessing of tasks as required by the HFEA.

Correct use of medical devices, as per standard operating procedures.

Andrology techniques such as basic semen analysis, semen preparation for clinical use, processing of surgically retrieved sperm and semen freezing.

Oocyte retrieval.

Preparation of culture dishes and aliquoting of media for use in embryological procedures, using sterile technique.

To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide the highest standard of patient care.

To assist with stock control, traceability and ordering of consumables to ensure that laboratories are appropriately stocked.

To assist with quality control assessments and other daily monitoring of critical laboratory equipment.

To assist with monitoring and maintaining the liquid nitrogen storage facilities.

To assist embryologists with cryobank organisation, audits and billing.

To check appropriate consents are in place and signed.

To check appropriate blood work results are completed.

To develop and maintain accurate written and computerisedrecords of all procedures undertaken in the laboratory, including the use of specialised databases.

To book appointments.

To enter results accurately onto computer records.

To liaise with other Units/Centres and assist in preparation of paperwork for import/export of gametes and embryos.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Prepare the laboratory environment for handling specimens.

Appropriately identify patients, show them into the semen production room and give instructions for semen production.

Safe handling of liquid nitrogen, including filling of storage dewars and preparing dry shipper for use.

Handling gametes and embryos into and out of liquid nitrogen.

Formal witnessing of tasks as required by the HFEA.

Correct use of medical devices, as per standard operating procedures.

Andrology techniques such as basic semen analysis, semen preparation for clinical use, processing of surgically retrieved sperm and semen freezing.

Oocyte retrieval.

Preparation of culture dishes and aliquoting of media for use in embryological procedures, using sterile technique.

To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide the highest standard of patient care.

To assist with stock control, traceability and ordering of consumables to ensure that laboratories are appropriately stocked.

To assist with quality control assessments and other daily monitoring of critical laboratory equipment.

To assist with monitoring and maintaining the liquid nitrogen storage facilities.

To assist embryologists with cryobank organisation, audits and billing.

To check appropriate consents are in place and signed.

To check appropriate blood work results are completed.

To develop and maintain accurate written and computerisedrecords of all procedures undertaken in the laboratory, including the use of specialised databases.

To book appointments.

To enter results accurately onto computer records.

To liaise with other Units/Centres and assist in preparation of paperwork for import/export of gametes and embryos.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• 3 A-levels or equivalent

Desirable

• BSc in relevant field
• MSc in relevant field

Skills + knowledge

Essential

• Good communication skills
• IT skills
• Scientific interest in field
• Empathetic/ compassionate application

Desirable

• Previous lab experience
• NHS experience

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• 3 A-levels or equivalent

Desirable

• BSc in relevant field
• MSc in relevant field

Skills + knowledge

Essential

• Good communication skills
• IT skills
• Scientific interest in field
• Empathetic/ compassionate application

Desirable

• Previous lab experience
• NHS experience

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Laboratory Manager

Sophie Jewitt

[email protected]

01914452768

Details

Date posted

14 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

297-8117061

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX

United Kingdom

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