Embryology Training Guide
This is an exciting new programme that has been developed by and for national and international scientists who wish to embark on an ARCS endorsed training programme for Reproductive Scientists.
The ARCS Embryology Training Guide enables Fertility Centres to invest in their scientific team by ensuring they acquire the high standard of academic knowledge and practical skills expected of a Clinical Embryologist. It is comprised of a comprehensive, internally assessed, in-house training programme culminating in an ARCS endorsed Certificate of Completion.
Training guide overview
This guide is a flexible training programme that can be started on any date, following ARCS approval. Supervisors and trainees must be registered as ARCS members. Once enrolled on the programme, trainees will be expected to complete the written and practical training activities after a minimum of 2 years and within 4 years of their official training start date. Evidence of continued training will be monitored by the ARCS Education Committee through the submission of an annual progress report signed by the supervisor and trainee. Supervisors can claim 10 CPD points per year of supervision with suitable self-reflective notes.
On completion of the training programme participants will receive certified evidence of their training that can be used as supportive evidence of training as part of a submission for UK state registration. The guide is made up of 16 modules covering the breadth of clinical reproductive science on which candidates can build their professional practice within their fertility clinic.
Modules are available for overseas candidates if they and their supervisor are ARCS members and the assessment evidence is in line with National and or UK practice in HFEA licensed centres.
Embryology guide pricing
UK Participants: £1,200
International Participants: £2,000
Frequently Asked Questions
As the embryology training guide is delivered and assessed in-house, participants need to hold a post within a clinical IVF laboratory, be a registered member of ARCS and have a suitably experienced supervisor and the support of the director of the clinic.
The embryology training guide is a flexible training programme that can be started on any date, however trainees will be expected to complete the written and practical training activities after a minimum of 2 years and within 4 years from their official start date.
- ORIENTATION AND INDUCTION
- REGULATION
- HEALTH AND SAFETY
- EQUIPMENT
- RECORD KEEPING
- TISSUE CULTURE
- SEMEN ANALYSIS AND SPERM PREPARATION
- OOCYTE COLLECTION AND INSEMINATION
- OBSERVATION OF FERTILISATION
- EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT
- EMBRYO TRANSFER
- CRYOPRESERVATION
- DONATED GAMETES AND EMBRYOS
- QUALITY MANAGEMENT
- COUNSELLING AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
- OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL TREATMENTS
The embryology training guide can be used as supportive evidence of your practical training and competency, to meet the learning outcomes of the curriculum at clinical scientist level. However, it is important to note that it is not meant to be a stand-alone route to STP equivalence or registration via the Academy of Clinical Scientists (ACS). Details of what is required for these routes to registration can be found under the FAQs relating to “Registration and Equivalence”.
No, the embryology training guide also requires participants to undertake a number of written assignments that enable them to acquire a high standard of academic knowledge within the field of reproductive science.
The embryology training guide can benefit senior embryologists by providing a structured framework for delivering comprehensive training to their trainee embryologists.
On completion of the training programme, participants will receive an ARCS endorsed certificate of completion which can be used as evidence of their training when applying for any embryology job. Furthermore it can be used as evidence of training as part of a submission for state registration
Absolutely. The embryology training guide has been developed in collaboration with international ARCS members to ensure its accessibility to both national and international fertility centres. The training guide enables all IVF laboratories to invest in their scientific team by ensuring they acquire the high standard of academic knowledge and practical skills expected of a clinical embryologist.
Regulations and more information can be found via the training guide regulations and policy.
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