Could your next role be as a Fertility Specialist?
Since 2008, our recruiters have helped place hundreds of fertility specialists including embryologists, IVF nurses, and specialist fertility doctors into their perfect role. Here we explore the most common benefits that draw people towards this captivating healthcare sector.
Many obstetricians and gynaecologists consider specialising in fertility treatment after completing their fellowship, and it is easy to see why. Fertility doctors work with patients during a significant life point, performing marvellous work which gives them a real sense of purpose with elevated levels of gratitude.
From our experience of working with these specialists across the various stages of their careers, key aspects and benefits of the industry stand out:
Emotional Connection to Their Work
One of the biggest benefits of the role, repeatedly shared with us, is the incomparable fulfilment that comes with helping people to start a family.
Each day involves supporting and guiding individuals through one of the most challenging times of their lives towards one of the most rewarding. An incredible amount of satisfaction comes in witnessing their dreams of conception and parenthood come true. Many fertility specialists stay in touch with their patients once treatment ceases, and many parents never forget the team who helped them through that time.
Better Work-Life Balance
Achieving a manageable work-life balance can be one of the biggest challenges for those working in the industry. Fertility specialists embrace demanding work however this sub-sector does come with some advantages. Part-time roles tend to be more common in the fertility sector than other specialities and most fertility specialists work few evenings and weekends.
They regularly report work-life balance as one of the main benefits of the speciality, with many experiencing regular shift patterns and daytime-only working for the first time in their careers!
Problem-Solving
Every fertility journey is different and can represent a solving a new puzzle. From identifying the reasons underpinning fertility challenges to figuring out which are the most effective treatments, fertility specialists often face complex scenarios. This results in significant levels of job satisfaction, while the work rarely feels stale.
Increased Earning Potential
Fertility doctors tend to be well-compensated for their lifechanging work. Salaries vary between employers, but many fertility specialists see significant uplifts in their salary when moving into the field, with the added ability to command higher rates as their career progresses.
In 2024, the Economic Research Institute estimate that a fully qualified Fertility Specialist Salary averages approximately £178,000 per year, but can go significantly higher for more senior roles. Money is rarely the primary reason people choose to become a fertility specialist; however, it is certainly a benefit.
A Rapidly Growing Market
The fertility industry is one of the fastest-growing sub-sectors in the healthcare industry, with around 52,000 patients receiving IVF treatment in the UK in 2022, growing from fewer than 7,000 in 1991. The sector is predicted to be worth £679 million by 2026 – double its value from 2018.
This is a global trend, with investments experts estimating the US sector expects to reach $16.8 Billion by 2028 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 13.6%. This is a specialism where demand is only likely to grow soon, and is an excellent career move no matter where you wish to work.
Are you an obstetrician, gynaecologist or reproductive surgeon considering a career in fertility? Get in touch with Fertility Talent today to find out how we can help you take the next step in your career.
Problem-Solving
Every fertility journey is different, and another satisfying part of the job doctors tell me about is the way each patient case can represent a new puzzle to solve. From identifying the underlying reasons behind fertility problems to figuring out which are the most effective treatments, fertility doctors are constantly presented with new and interesting challenges, and the work rarely feels stale.
Increased Earning Potential
Fertility doctors tend to be well-compensated for their important work. Salaries vary between employers, but many fertility doctors I’ve placed see significant uplifts in their salary when moving into the field, with the added ability to command higher rates after a few years in the role. In 2020, the Economic Research Institute estimated that a fully qualified fertility doctor’s salary averages about £145,000 per year, but can go significantly higher for senior roles. Money is rarely the main reason people choose to become fertility doctors, but it’s certainly a benefit.
A Rapidly Growing Market
The fertility industry is one of the fastest-growing sub-sectors in the healthcare industry, with 53,000 patients receiving IVF treatment in the UK in 2019, growing from fewer than 7,000 in 1991. The sector is expected to be worth £679 million by 2026 – double its value in 2018.
What’s more, this is a global trend, with investments experts estimating the U.S. will see over $1bn of new investment in fertility in 2022. This is a specialism where demand is only likely to grow in the foreseeable future, and is a great career move no matter where in the world you want to work.
Are you an obstetrician or gynaecologist considering a career in fertility? Get in touch with Fertility Talent today to find out how we can help you take the next step in your career.