Genetic Counselor

Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Cardiovascular Genetics Counselor; Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC); Clinical Genetic Counselor; Genetic Services Coordinator; Hereditary Cancer Program Coordinator; Lab Genetic Counselor (Laboratory Genetic Counselor); Medical Science Liaison; Pediatric Genetics Clinical Coordinator; Prenatal Genetic Counselor; Reproductive Genetic Counseling Coordinator

Tasks

• Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
• Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
• Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
• Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
• Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
• Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.
• Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
• Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics.
• Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.
• Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.
• Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.
• Refer patients to specialists or community resources.
• Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients or medical personnel.
• Evaluate or make recommendations for standards of care or clinical operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, ethics, legislation, or policies.

Knowledge

• Biology
• Therapy and Counseling
• Psychology
• Medicine and Dentistry
• English Language
• Customer and Personal Service
• Education and Training
• Mathematics
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Computers and Electronics
• Administrative

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies
• Science
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Recognition
• Information Ordering
• Speech Clarity
• Near Vision
• Category Flexibility
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Flexibility of Closure