Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:
The Genetics Counselor provides general pre- and post-testing support for genetic testing.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Masters Genetic Counseling

CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
American College of Genetic Counseling. Temporary Licensed Genetic Counselor must be licensed within 90 days.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
None Specified

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Communication skills, critical thinking skills, interpersonal and counseling skills, psychosocial assessment skills and professional ethics and values.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Documents all patient interaction, significant observations, interventions, and actions taken in the patient's medical record.
• Provides genetic counseling to patients and families regarding genetics risk, diagnosis, and diagnostic testing.
• Serves as a clinical resource person and effectively shares clinical expertise with staff, students, and community in both formal and informal teaching sessions.
• Temporary Licensed Genetic Counselors shall practice only under the supervision of a qualified supervisor.

• Provides genetic counseling to prenatal/pre-conceptual patients and families referred to Maternal Fetal Medicine regarding genetic disorders affecting the pregnancy/fetus, risks, diagnosis, and diagnostic testing.
• Facilitates communication across the spectrum of prenatal and pediatric subspecialists and implements process improvement strategies that improve patient care. This may include instructing patients on the process and protocols for consultation with pediatric subspecialists.
• Assists in the treatment of prenatal patients and families with known genetic disorders, and of patients at risk for the development of these disorders.
• Intervenes as a crisis and bereavement counselor in situations requiring genetic counseling.
• Advise and assist staff upon the appropriateness of prenatal patient referrals and requisite medical records.
• Analyze and interpret clinical/laboratory findings. Disclose normal and abnormal results to patients and referring physicians as needed.
• Serves as a clinical resource person and effectively shares clinical expertise with staff, students, and community in both formal and informal teaching sessions.