Overview:
Genetic counselors in the Division of Reproductive and Medical Genetics in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health see both high-risk and low-risk patients during pregnancy and preconception as well as patients who are at risk for hereditary cancer syndromes either by their personal history of cancer and/or their family history of cancer. Genetic counselors are health professionals that have specialized education, training and experience in medical genetics and counseling. They assist patients and clinicians as well as learners of all levels to understand the genetic contributions to disease. Teamwork is critical. In addition, they provide genetic counseling services to patients, supervise junior staff members and student counselors, and teach genetic counseling to fellows, medical students and residents.
Responsibilities:
Explain the nature of genetic evaluation to patients. Obtain and review medical and family histories, based on the referral indication, and document the family history using standard pedigree nomenclature.
Assess results through continuous discussions with junior counselors, medical students, residents and fellows.
Oversee the progress of the students and junior staff.
Plan, organize and conduct public and professional education programs on medical genetics, patient care and genetic counseling issues.
Genetic counselors provide primary patient care as a member of an interdisciplinary team consisting of physicians, other genetic counselors, laboratory staff, etc.
Requirements:
Master's of Science Degree in Human Genetics coupled with Board eligibility and subsequent certification by the American College of Genetic Counseling required. Successfully become certified within five years of date of graduation from Master’s program. Must maintain certification during tenure. Must also re-certify every five years per ABGC policies and procedures.
