Ambulatory Genetics Genetic Counselor/Center for Fetal Medicine and Reproductive Genetics/40 Hours/Days)

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

1. Counsels patients and families around reproductive and prenatal genetic issues (including carrier and aneuploidy screening, diagnostic testing and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)), with a primary focus on expanded reproductive genetic screening options. This involves patient contact, explanation of procedures, probable outcome, all testing coordination, and follow up. Screens and interviews patients to evaluate medical/family information. Recommends and coordinates additional testing and referrals with referring providers, outside hospital facilities, and genetic testing laboratories.

2. Implements and coordinates special programs as needed to accommodate patients and providers.

3. Performs administrative record keeping, including chart preparation and records requests, maintenance of statistics, documentation of encounter (including chart notes, progress notes, and letters, and other required paperwork for genetic tests or procedures).

4. Develops and maintains effective relationships with patients, CFMRG staff, and other referring providers. Provides education and consultation to referring providers as expanded genetic screening tests are implemented. The genetic counselor will be a primary contact for patient care, test follow-up, or general queries about non-scheduled patients.

5. Actively updates knowledge of current trends and developments in the field and genetic community by reading appropriate professional literature, attending educational meetings, and making use of other available resources for continuing education.

6. Serves as resource to patients, obstetrical care providers and other clinicians on genetic counseling issues.

7. Interacts with the Center for Advanced Molecular Diagnostics (CAMD) and external laboratories to ensure optimal utilization of clinical genetic testing. Calls normal and abnormal results to patients and providers, including calling out results to patients who have not received genetic counseling when necessary.

8. Participates in research projects including patient recruitment, clinical data abstraction, and data entry maintenance of required computer databases and communication with principal investigator and other sites.

9. Genetic counselors designated to see patients at satellite sites, in addition to the above duties, will be expected to assume a role of clinic coordinator and will work with the satellite site to schedule patients for genetic counseling within the framework of that clinic site.

10. Counselors at satellite sites will also be responsible for working with referring medical staff to ensure appropriate referral for patients needing genetic counseling by means of communication with the referring provider as well as giving educational presentations to groups of providers.

11. Performs other duties as required or assigned, including back-up coverage for other counselors when necessary.

Education
Master's Degree Genetic Counseling required

Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree?
No

Licenses and Credentials
Genetic Counselor [State License] - Generic - HR Only required

Experience
genetics experience 1-2 years preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong patient/customer service skills.
- Good documentation and organizational skills and good attention to detail.
- Ability to adhere to detailed survey research protocols.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Strong understanding of molecular genetics and general chemistry.
- Good attention to detail and analytical.