Senior Embryologist

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $100,000 - $155,000

Position Summary

Columbia University Fertility Center offers innovative and personalized fertility treatment in a supportive and state-of-the-art clinical setting.

The Senior Embryologist will serve as a key team member of the Fertility Center's Embryology Laboratory.

In this role, the Senior Embryologist can expect to expand on their strong embryology skillset by training in and performing the full range of in-vitro embryology lab procedures to produce high and consistent pregnancy rates. Key responsibilities will include performing semen preparation, oocyte retrievals, fertilization checks, oocyte stripping, embryo assessments, grading, and selection, embryo transfers, vitrification and warming, assisted hatching, laser-assisted hatching, and micromanipulation, including ISCI and embryo biopsies. As a senior member of the team, the Senior Embryologist will play a key role in mentoring and training junior colleagues. The Senior Embryologist will also perform core laboratory tasks related to laboratory maintenance, procedure set-up, documentation, troubleshooting and quality control. The Senior Embryologist will collaborate closely with other clinical laboratory employees to deliver an exceptional patient care and experience and positive patient outcomes.

To be successful in this role, the Senior Embryologist should have four years of clinical embryology laboratory experience, with strong proficiency in all IVF procedures, and have excellent organizational and patient skills and a demonstrated ability to mentor and train others in embryology procedures. A master's degree in embryology is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Core Duties

• Performs laboratory procedures as directed by the Laboratory Supervisor and/or Director, to produce consistent and accurate results, including semen preparation for ICSI and insemination; oocyte retrievals; fertilization checks; stripping of oocytes in preparation for ICSI and vitrification; D3 embryo assessments and assisted hatching; grading and selection of embryos for transfer, biopsy, and cryopreservation; embryo transfers, sperm, embryo, and oocyte vitrification and warming; and trains in and performs tube loading and micro-manipulation techniques, including ICSI and embryo biopsies, as directed by the Laboratory Supervisor and/or Director, to produce consistent and accurate results.
• Performs set-up tasks to prepare for treatments using aseptic techniques: prepare culture dishes for all treatments (IVF/ ICSI/ IUI biopsy, gamete/embryo cryopreservation/warming and embryo transfer).
• Manage culture media and consumables inventory.
• Contributes to the accurate documentation of patient and procedure data: collects patient data, prepares patient charts and ART worksheets; enters procedure data into the electronic medical records (EMR) and reports laboratory results.
• Performs specimen chain of custody, documentation, and witness procedures, as needed.
• Maintains the lab through daily cleaning, equipment maintenance, QA/QC, clerical support, inventory management, and safety procedures, to ensure that the overall condition of the laboratory is clean and safe according to regulatory and department standards. Escalates any issues as appropriate.
• Performs daily, weekly, monthly, and annual quality control on assigned (equipment), maintains logbook with equipment performance data, and reports values outside of tolerance range. Maintains accurate and complete laboratory QC and notify supervisor of any values outside of working range.
• Participates in debriefing and quality improvement practices to ensure quality patient care. Brings safety and quality events, concerns, and needs to debriefs/safety huddles. Collaborates with team members on quality-related projects.
• Increases transparency, encourages event reporting, and advances the safety culture by participating in and facilitating safety huddles, patient safety activities, culture reinforcement, and shared learning.
• Applies safety protocols, including hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment.
• Drafts standard operating procedures (SOPs), as assigned.
• Supports clinical research efforts by suggesting project ideas, contributing to the design and execution of projects, and assisting with the interpretation of data.
• Reports incidents to Supervisor, Director of Embryology and Laboratory Director.
• Other duties as assigned within professional scope of practice/training/education.

People

• Contributes to onboarding and training for new and current team members. Collaborates with management to identify training needs, provide subject matter expertise for development of training materials, facilitate training, and support the continuous improvement of laboratory learning and development resources. Mentors junior colleagues in individual and team accountability, modeling behavior and demonstrating best practices/techniques.
• Provides technical input to managers on performance appraisals to support the development of junior colleagues' embryology skills, as requested. Contributes to the implementation of action plans as needed and reports on progress.
• Models professionalism and ethical behavior in interactions with all patients, visitors, vendors, and faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrates self-development and keeps current on relevant topics.

Strategy and Continuous Improvement

• Contributes to a team culture of learning and continuous improvement. Contributes ideas for improving laboratory workflows to team members and management.
• Continuously builds and expands subject matter expertise on full scope of IVF procedures and seeks opportunities to share knowledge and best practices with team, through training, resource development, and other learning mechanisms. Leads development and maintenance of assigned resources. Seeks continuous improvement of team knowledge sharing mechanisms, providing input to leadership on opportunities for improvement.
• Participates in projects and special assignments to support departmental or divisional strategy and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Takes initiative to resolve patient safety and patient experience concerns within the scope of practice/training/education.
• Contributes to preparation for inspections by providing administrative and operational support to laboratory management and colleagues, as needed.
• Supports management on implementation of change plans to support organizational goals and improve team performance. Participates in efforts to maximize employee adoption and measure effectiveness of changes. Works with management to address any escalated concerns and identified risks as needed.
• Maintains a safe and secure work environment by following all OSHA, EH&S, NYDOH, and public safety policies and guidelines.
• Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality according to HIPAA requirements at all times.
• Keeps current on all organizational, department, and patient privacy policies (e.g., infection control, HIPAA) and required trainings

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, plus four years of related experience.
• A minimum of 4 years' embryology laboratory experience.
• Strong proficiency in performing semen preparation, oocyte retrievals, fertilization checks, oocyte stripping, embryo assessments, grading, and selection, embryo transfers, and sperm, embryo, and oocyte vitrification and warming, D5/D6 and D7 biopsy and tubing according to departmental and regulatory standards. Understanding of embryology techniques, including tools, software, and instruments used in lab.
• Attention to detail and ability to work under a laminar flow hood and microscope.
• Excellent detail-orientation and organizational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to prioritize, multitask, and work independently with consistent follow-through.
• Strong proficiency in problem assessment and collaborative problem solving in fast-paced, highly technical settings. Ability to proactively communicate progress and roadblocks and escalate complex issues to management.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including a service orientation. Ability to interact positively and constructively with patients, visitors, providers, and colleagues, demonstrating tact, empathy, and respect. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Team orientation, demonstrating collaboration, inclusion, reliability, punctuality, and adaptability to new and changing situations. Experience mentoring and training others.
• Self-motivated and demonstrates initiative, patience, and resourcefulness in adapting to changes. Ability to mentor and support others in adapting to changes.
• Project management skills, including ability to organize and execute technical project activities, apply attention to detail, effectively coordinate and communicate with stakeholders, and report on progress.
• Ability to leverage and analyze data to contribute to team initiatives and projects.
• Ability to collaborate on and deliver presentations to various audiences, including senior leadership.
• Ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and respectful manner while appreciating the unique contributions of an inclusive workforce that brings together the talents of people across multiple identities.
• Strong commitment to fostering diversity and equity.
• Basic proficiency in computer skills including, but not limited to, Electronic Health Systems, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, email systems, etc.
• Must be a motivated individual with a positive mindset and exceptional work ethic

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in embryology or related field.
• Experience training others in embryology.
• Experience with electronic medical records a plus.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is dedicated to the goal of building a multicultural faculty and staff committed to teaching, working and serving in a diverse community, and strongly encourages applications from candidates of traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
We are continuously seeking to recruit individuals who will enhance the diversity of our workplace and the effectiveness of our organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.