Job Summary
The successful candidate will provide in-depth counseling to patients and their partners to determine genetic risk profile for each pregnancy. Request and review medical record; interpret date obtained in terms of genetic risks to offspring and other family members. Function as part of the multi-disciplinary MFM team. Schedule complete testing as needed; track test results and provide interpretation of results to patients and referring physicians. Provide follow-up and/or supportive counseling and referral to appropriate resources when fetal abnormalities are detected. Assist patients and/or their families to understand a genetic disorder or birth defect including etiology prognosis and recurrent risks.
Other duties include: Coordinate clinic visits for patients requiring genetic monitoring. Ensure that necessary procedures and tests are performed within required timeframes for accurate diagnosis. Provide education to clinic staff on genetic testing and interpretation of results. Schedule and follow-up outside referrals. Provide report to referring physicians. Enter/maintain cases in computer database for statistical purposes. Other duties as assigned.
Experience and Education
Master's degree from board accredited program in genetics, and certification or eligible for certification as Genetic Counselor by American Board of Medical Genetics or American Board of Genetic Counseling.
Job Duties
- Educates patients and families concerned about their conditions, possible risks of cancer and other diseases, and how to best manage problems.
- Obtains and examines personal and family medical histories to determine likelihood of genetic problems; requests and reviews medical records; constructs family histories in computer drawn pedigree form; interprets data for genetic risks to patient and other family members.
- Assists patients and families in reaching decisions about genetic disorders that do not conflict with their religious or ethical values; assists patients and/or their families to understand genetic predisposition disease, including options and limitations of prevention strategies; counsels patients on potential adverse affects of positive gene test; discusses limitations of negative gene test(s).
- Establishes patient referrals to appropriate individuals or clinics for genetic screening as required.
- Arranges for appropriate genetic testing, including contacting laboratory, arranging sample collection, transporting of samples, and receiving results.
- Conducts research on various genetic disorder studies with complete responsibility for initiating, locating, contacting/recruiting, and updating demographic and family medical history.
- Prepares written summaries of encounters/studies with patients and family members; proofs and files research records and/or medical records as appropriate.
- Reviews all cases encountered with principal investigator or physician.
- Provides longitudinal follow-up with patients who have previously undergone testing; provides written summaries to patients as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- **Other Duties: Performs other duties as assigned.