Embryology!

An EGG-tremely good idea for a career

By Charlene Freeman

A little bit about me…

• Human Biology A level = B

• Chemistry A level = B

• Photography A level = C

• A/S level English = C

• Dyslexic and dyscalculia

• Degree in Medical Biochemistry Leicester in 2006 = 2.2

A little bit about me…

• Took virology, paracytology, immunology and microbiology in my final year

• Final project was lab-based on Streptomyces fradiea

• Worked 2 summers in a microbiology (Harlan Labs UK)

• Never thought of embryology until May/June 2006!!!!

How did I get into embryology?

• April/ May/ June 2006 (pre exams) started to look for jobs

• Applied for a few…but then…• Read a job advert for an embryologist at

Leicester Fertility Centre!• Visited the unit• Read loads about what embryologists

do/current issues• Went for an interview July 2006• Started October 2006• Gained my ACE certificate in July 2009• Soon to be state registered?!?

What is an embryologist?

• Clinical scientists• Range of scientific backgrounds• Can now be a practitioner, scientist or consultant• State registered with the Royal College of Pathologists• Kind & compassionate• Thorough (slight OCD?)• Manually dextrous

What does an embryologist do?

Put simply, we try our very best to get women pregnant!Put simply, we try our very best to get women pregnant!

Clinical = Clinical = • Egg identification • Sperm analysis and preparation• Gamete manipulation• Embryo creation• Embryo culture• Embryo transfer• Gamete/ embryo freezing and thawing• Donor and oncology patients• Research • Patient contact and Counselling• Management • Problem solving

What do I do as an embryologist?

• All this and more!!!• Give presentations to patients,

public and students• Donor recruitment including

advertising• (hopefully!) ACE Committee

member• HFEA statistics• Clinical audits

Why do we need embryologists?

• Currently in the UK 1 in 6 couples suffer from infertility• Infertility or sub-fertility is classed as a couple ACTIVELY trying for

a pregnancy failing to achieve this within 2 years• Many will need donor sperm, eggs and/or embryos• On the increase due to higher incidence of childhood cancers,

better survival, delaying starting a family, poorer sperm quality and a rise in STD’s

• Main cause: “Unexplained”• Other causes: “Male factor”, PCOS, Endometriosis, maternal age,

raised FHS (including menopause), genetic problems, tubal problems, other medical conditions

How can I become an embryologist?

• In 2011 the way in which people apply for Healthcare Science jobs such as embryology is changing

• MSC – Modernising Scientific Careers is a UK-wide education and training strategy for the whole healthcare science workforce in the NHS and associated bodies

• Clear career pathways• More central recruitment• Allows for degree’s of scientific knowledge

How can I become an embryologist?

Associate /Assistant• Assistants and Associates will undertake task based roles with appropriate

supervision. Associates will undertake more advanced and complex tasks.Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) – undergraduate level• This is a 3 year HEFCE funded BSc (Hons), integrating academic and workplace

based elements. Technologically faced set within clinical context. Opportunity to progress to Scientist.

Scientist Training Programme (STP) – postgraduate entry, pre-registration training

• This is a 3 year workplace-based programme which will comprise separately delivered and awarded academic and workplace-based components leading to an MSc and a Certificate of Achievement. This will be MPET (NHS) funded.

Higher Specialist Scientific Training (HSST) – doctoral level• This is a 4/5 year work based training programme similar to the medical consultant

training, leading to medical college examinations where these exist and a doctoral award.

How can I become an embryologist?

Advice

• Get in early – 7/8 embryology posts nation wide• Read through job adverts carefully • Read though specifics of the job • Find an area you love• Read everything you can about that job/ area• Visit the place if you can• Get work experience• Always have a job• BE PASSIONATE!

Thanks for listening!

Good luck!

Any questions or potential donors greatly appreciated!