Introduction to Embryology
An embryologist is a medical professional and scientist who is skilled in helping people to overcome fertility problems. Embryologist specializes in fertility, counselling, advising, and providing potential treatment options for couples or individual struggling to conceive. An Embryologist also specializes in recommending monitoring cycles to determine periods of fertility and also teaches patients how and when to administer fertility drugs when needed. Embryologists can also conduct artificial insemination procedures, by collecting both the sperm and egg of couples and monitoring them in the laboratory for fertilization.
Training Type in Embryology
Embryologists get trained offline. This is, however, a result of practice that is an important aspect of the field.
How Long Does It Take At Each Level of Certification In Embryology?
The average training duration for each level of certification in Embryology is 4 – 9 years of post-secondary studies to become an embryologist. A bachelor’s degree typically takes 4-5 years to complete, while a master’s degree takes an additional 2 years of study, and a PhD takes another 3 years.
What Is The Qualification Required To Become An Embryologist?
The minimum qualification you must possess to become an Embryologist is a bachelor’s degree / HND (Higher National Diploma).
Which Secondary School Department Is Suitable For Embryology?
The secondary school department you must be to pursue a career in Embryology is the Sciences department.
The Tertiary Field For Embryology.
To become an Embryologist, you will have to pursue a degree in the Medical Laboratory Science field.
Career Path To Become An Embryologist?
Firstly, in other to choose embryology as a career path, it is important to be sure that there’s a passion for it. Secondly, pursue a relevant bachelor’s degree. To become an embryologist, you must study for a bachelor’s degree in a related field like Biology, Biomedicine, Biochemistry, or clinical lab sciences.
However, In becoming an embryologist you must also take an internship and gain lab experience. By doing this, you will stand the chance of building a great resume that will be very effective when applying for any job in the field. The program you enrol in tertiary depends upon your career goals as an embryologist.
Also, if you want to work with patients to prescribe hormone treatments, help them plan their families, and perform procedures, you likely need a medical degree. If you’re interested in conducting research or developing embryos in a lab, you may pursue an advanced degree in biochemistry, biomedicine, or medical research.
What Are The Professional Grade In Embryology?
The professional grades in the Embryology field depend solely on the certification acquired.
As a degree holder in a related field of embryology, you can be allowed to find entry-level work in medical laboratories and begin accruing professional laboratory experience which is not sufficient for practising embryology.
However, to conduct laboratory embryology procedures, you will need to earn a relevant master’s degree. With this, you will stand the chance to get jobs In Labs conducting and observing IVF procedures.
Nonetheless, you will not be qualified to work with patients or be allowed to conduct independent research. To take on the responsibilities of these two roles which is the highest level of the profession, you will need to earn either a Medical degree( M.D) or a Ph.D. With a PhD degree, you will stand a chance to serve as a fully professional embryologist.
How Long Does It Take At Each Professional Level In Embryology?
The embryology field mainly focuses on the level of education, which simply means that the faster you can move in your race for experience and certification, the faster you will move in your profession.
What Is The Average Salary Of Each Level In Embryology?
The average salary for each profession grade includes;
The average salary of a medical laboratory scientist in Nigeria is 123,000 Naira.
The average salary of an IVF procedures specialist ranges from 488,000 Naira to 2,000,000 Naira annually.
What Is The Work Type For Embryologists?
Embryologists work in the Laboratory to conduct experiments mostly. (On-site)
Work Shift Type For Embryologists.
Embryologists work a full-time schedule but commonly work in the evening and on weekends.
The Average Hours Embryologists Spend At Work
Embryologists spend an average of 9 hours at work daily.
Occupational Hazards In Embryology.
- Bacterial hazards
- Chemical hazards, and,
- Laboratory equipment is dangerously placed.
These are common occupational hazards Embryologists usually face in their field.
Gender Distribution In Embryology.
Over time, females have dominated the world of embryologists’. The female percentage is 55%., while the percentage of males is 34.5%
What Are The Talent(s) Suitable For Embryologists?
As someone who is aspiring to be an embryologist, these are some of the talents and temperaments suitable for the field:
- Empathy and care for others
- An interest and ability in science, medicine, anatomy, and physiology, good communication skills, and the ability to explain procedures to patients
- Practical skills for performing technical and clinical procedures
What Is The Retirement Age For Embryologists?
The average retirement age for embryologists is 65 years of age.
Popular Professionals In Embryology.
- Akemini Umana (ESHRE Certified embryologist, Port Harcourt, Nigeria)
- Victor Idoko Blaise (The bridge IVF clinic, Lagos, Nigeria)
- Dr. James Lin, MD – Fertility care (United States of America)
How relevant is Embryology in other countries?
The relevance of Embryology can not be over-emphasized as this field helps in the fertility aspect of the medical lane.
However, The skill of an embryologist in solving infertility problems has made it relevant and known in other countries, most especially the European countries
List Of Fields Related To Embryology?
- Biomedical Engineering
- Diagnostic molecular scientist
- Astronomer
Branches Of Embryology.
- Descriptive embryology
- Comparative embryology
- Teratology
- Experimental embryology
- Chemical embryology
