Fertility Nurse

We, TFP, are looking for brilliant minds and passionate hearts to help us shape the future of fertility health. We are one of the largest fertility service providers in Europe operating our IVF clinics and egg/sperm freezing banks in currently 6 countries. We have embarked on the mission to use technology to provide parents with a memorable best-in-class fertility journey that leads to the best outcome – starting a family!

At TFP, we offer all our patients the care, understanding and expertise that help to bring dreams to life. We are passionate about what we do, which reflects our commitment to creating lives and changing lives.

Science research and innovation are key to how we work and have led to us pioneering fertility treatment for more than 33 years. Many of our clinicians are internationally renowned specialists and we regularly share knowledge across our clinics to further improve our success.

The post-holder will be one of a group of specialist nurses working within the GCRM fertility clinic in Glasgow. Treatments range from IVF and ICSI, Ovulation Induction, Egg donation and Sharing, Egg Recipiency, Surrogacy and Surgical Sperm Retrieval

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This is a permanent full time role working 37.5 hours per week. Occasional weekends/national holidays cover required. On-call cover on a rotational basis is also required.*

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Key Responsibilities:*

• To develop a satisfactory level of clinical competence in ART skills e.g. plan and co-ordinate treatment cycles, to undertake specific investigations such as endocrine profiles.
• To assist in the management, and support of sub-fertile couples before, during and after treatment cycles, developing a therapeutic environment to meet the individual needs of the couples.
• To undertake patient consultations before, during and post treatment cycles.
• To ensure that informed consent is given and the appropriate unit and Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority consent forms are completed for the treatment cycle, discussing the risks associated with ART and potential usage of gametes for research.
• To demonstrate excellent communication skills, providing information and implications counselling to enable couples to make informed choices regarding their treatment
• To demonstrate use of excellent communication skills to support patients and families in highly stressful situations (e.g. breaking bad news, diagnosis of ectopic or miscarriage, managing bereavement and anger management) both face to face and over the telephone.
• To ensure through the process of implications counselling that all couples are aware of the risk of iatrogenic disease such as ovarian hyper-stimulation, multiple pregnancy (with risk of prematurity and death) and the complex issue of research on gametes/embryos and the ethical and moral issues that this raises.
• To explain and complete consent forms for the storage of frozen gametes and the posthumous use thereof for all couples freezing spare gametes with the implications of disposal of property in the event of separation or divorce.
• To keep accurate records for each patient of all communication both and clinical activity relevant to his/her treatment, in line with NMC regulations. To help with the production of written information to meet the changing expectation of the needs of the couples/patients.
• To assist with the collation of all data resulting from the procedures and transfer this to the records on the computer and into the patient notes to satisfy HFEA regulations.
• In conjunction with senior nursing staff to be responsible for the booking of the patient’s treatment cycle, planning drug prescribing and liaising with GPs.
• To explain the individualised treatment schedule including the potential side effects of the drug treatment and demonstration of injection technique with the use of subcutaneous injection pen.
• To co-ordinate oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer/intrauterine insemination, donor insemination, provide appropriate counselling, support and advice with cycle outcome.
• To demonstrate skill at interpreting complex clinical information/data, anticipating potential problems, taking action to prevent/minimise these, responding to any changes promptly and effectively and developing specialised plans of care / following the relevant protocols.
• To demonstrate dexterity, accuracy and attention to detail in the preparing of specialist equipment for procedures to be undertaken within the unit/ward whilst adhering to Local policies e.g. intravenous drug administration. Taking blood samples, catheterisation etc. To promote the highest standards of cleanliness and sterility of all equipment used in the IVF guided egg retrieval, saline ultrasound, embryo transfer and intra-uterine insemination procedures in line with HFEA practice.
• To supervise and assist in the preparation and care of the patient and her partner before, during and after the above procedures.
• To demonstrate initiative and provide support in assisting medical staff with procedures e.g. performing transvaginal ultrasound guided oocyte retrieval.
• To exhibit an ability to learn fertility ultrasonography including transvaginal / pregnancy scanning.
• To work within the legal framework as laid out by the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act of Parliament and Care Quality Commission
• To manage difficult situations with competence, taking appropriate action, utilising relevant protocols and supporting the patient, their relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team as required.
• To follow procedures/policies so that emergency /crisis situations are managed with competence and that patients/ relatives and junior staff members are adequately supported during and after the event.
• To ensure an active understanding of COSHH, Infection Control, Risk Management and maintenance of health and safety within the department. To ensure it is implemented according to unit policy and that every effort is made to identify and minimise potential risks/hazards.
• To ensure that all record keeping on the unit is accurate and legible and maintains patient confidentiality according to Trust and HFEA policy.
• In conjunction with senior nursing staff to ensure all complaints and grievances are dealt with competently and effectively in line with the unit’s complaints procedure.
• To support senior nursing staff with the maintenance of the pharmacy drug stores including controlled drugs in line with Trust policy and Home Office legislation.

Experience:

• 1st level registration with NMC
• Interest in women’s health
• Computer skills
• Phlebotomy

Desirable – previous experience in the fertility or women’s health setting, educated to degree level, teaching/mentoring qualification, sonography experience

Job Type: Full-time