Case studies: Senior embryologist: SzeTian Tee

SzeTian received a degree in biomedical sciences in 2004. She went on to pursue a Masters in Clinical Embryology from the University of Oxford. She now works as a senior embryologist at the Tropicanan Medical Centre in Malaysia.

I chose a career in clinical embryology as I have always had a passion for medical services and helping people. When I was given the opportunity to pursue a Masters in this field after graduating with my first degree, I was excited to pursue it. The scientific and biomedical background knowledge gained during my degrees and the technical skills I acquired have provided a great deal of relevant skills and experience that have helped in my current career path.

My educational background was critical in securing my current job. It would be have been impossible to get had I not had a clinical embryology degree. The purpose of the clinical embryology course is to prepare students for positions in clinical in vitro fertilisation (IVF) laboratories.

I found out about my current job through a job website. The first six months on the job was a probationary period where I shadowed various fertility doctors. After this period was over, I was confirmed as a trainee junior embryologist. 

As a trainee embryologist, I developed essential skills while under the training and supervision of senior staff members. I was promoted to junior embryologist after one year of intensive training and completing the necessary requirements. These requirements included independently performing a relevant number of cases and achieving the required success rates for each technique involved. I was promoted to senior embryologist after three years.

In my role, I participate in assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), sperm analysis and preparation, gamete freezing and thawing and more. I also counsel patients and am responsible for staff management.

My favourite part of my job is helping complete the life of others through granting their wish for parenthood. It is a thrill to be a part of this process. One less enjoyable part of the job is the fact that the working hours are not particularly flexible. A fully functional IVF laboratory usually needs to operate seven days a week, which means working on weekends and holidays. 

As I progress in my career, I hope to improve the quality of services and level of care for my patients. I also want to maximise the chance of treatment success for every patient by continuously improving the soft and hard assets in the laboratory.

My tips for other people trying to get into this field would be to pay great attention to detail. Good technical skills are also essential to ensuring high quality work. Additionally, it is important to have patience, motivation and the ability to solve problems based on acute scientific knowledge.