Profile

I work in quite a unique area for a Biomedical Scientist (BMS). Most BMS jobs are in labs which are completely separate from patient areas. We are often forgotten about – this is something the majority BMSs like as we are more the “behind the scenes” people rather than the main cast of the show. We have been described as the “SAS/ninjas of the NHS”. However, the department I work in involves lab work, office work and working directly with patients which I absolutely love.

I work really closely with other biomedical scientists, embryologists, doctors, nurses, support workers and admin staff to help couples fulfil their dream of having a baby of their own when they need a little help if things don’t happen naturally. We also work with patients who are about to start chemotherapy, radiotherapy, drug treatment or have surgery which could compromise their fertility.

Having worked in quite a variety of labs including other diagnostic labs (Microbiology, Haematology, Biochemistry), commercial labs and in research I have found this job the most rewarding.

Diagnostic Service for Male Fertility (Andrology)

Tuesday to Friday 8:30am to 9:30am  – Men (or their partner/wife) hand in their sperm sample so we can analyse it. We look at motility (how many of the sperm are swimming and if they are swimming nicely), concentration (the sperm count) and the morphology (the shapes of the sperm).

Cryostorage Appointments

I meet with patients who need to freeze sperm before they start chemotherapy, radiotherapy, drug treatment or before they have an operation which could affect their fertility.

Sperm Donor Service

I arrange and carry out initial interviews with men applying to be sperm donors and assess their suitability to become a registered sperm donor at our Centre.

Surgical Sperm Retrieval

Not one for the faint-hearted. I am currently in training so I’m shadowing a trained person at the moment and involves getting scrubbed up for the theatre. From there we work with a surgical team and as the surgeon takes samples and tissue from the patient, we check down the microscope for sperm. This is usually the patient’s last chance for having their own biological child so we REALLY want to find some sperm we can then take back to our lab and freeze.

Office Work

Making appointments for patients and sperm donors, authorising results from the diagnostic service, ordering stuff (stationery is my favourite), writing reports and protocols, arranging servicing of equipment (not my most favourite part of the job), dealing with staff holidays, courses, absences and appraisals.

Other Stuff

As a registered BMS, I’ve completed the IBMS Registration Portfolio (IBMS is the Institute of Biomedical Scientists) so now I’m trying to complete my Specialist Portfolio. I’ve also volunteered to update the very “dated” website for the department……I really enjoy stuff like this but the quality of website is in one work, blurgh!