Genetic Counselor

Overview: GeneticCounselors 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 medicalgenetics and counseling. They assist patients and clinicians as well as learners of all levelsunderstand thegeneticcontributions to disease. Teamwork is critical. In addition, they providegeneticcounseling services to patients, supervise junior staff members and studentcounselors, and teachgeneticcounseling to fellows, medical students and residents.

Responsibilities: Explain the natureofgeneticevaluationto 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 withjuniorcounselors, medical students, residents and fellows. Oversee the progress of the students and junior staff. Plan, organize and conduct public and professional education programs onmedicalgenetics, patient careandgeneticcounselingissues. Geneticcounselorsprovide primary patient care as a member of an interdisciplinary team consisting of physicians, othergeneticcounselors, laboratory staff, etc.

Requirements: Master's of Science Degree in HumanGenetics coupled with Board eligibility and subsequent certification by the American CollegeofGeneticCounselingrequired.

Please note: The successful candidate must become certified within five years of date of graduation from Master’s program. He/she must maintain certification during tenure. Incumbent must also re-certify every five years per ABGC policies and procedures.