Genetic Counselor, Pediatric Cytogenetics

Minimum Qualifications: 
Master’s degree in Human Genetics and/or certification by the American Board of Genetic Counseling 

Job Summary: 
The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch is seeking a Genetic Counselor who specialize in pediatric counseling services to provide professional counseling and education to individuals at risk for or diagnosed with genetic disease.

Job Duties:

• Reviews referrals and charts for patients with pending appointments.
  • Reviews the available records.
  • Identifies deficits in documentation and notifies the appropriate office staff what additional records need to be requested.
  • Research background information about diagnoses, test results, exposures, or other factors affecting risk assessment as they pertain to the patient’s upcoming visit.
• Provides genetic counseling to patients under physician supervision and in accordance with division policies. 
• Obtains and documents accurate personal and family medical history and provides risk assessment in accordance with division policies.
  • Records family histories according to the national standards to be included as part of the patient’s medical record.
• Assists patients in understanding genetic diseases or birth defects through the provision of professional genetic counseling services.
  • Provides genetic counseling in accordance with the National Society of Genetic Counselors Code of Ethics in a nonbiased, respectful manner.
  • Engages in culturally competent counseling techniques.
  • Develops counseling visual aids and decision-making tools, as appropriate.
  • Facilitates informed decision making for patients in an environment that is free of coercion by providing the necessary facts, discussing alternatives, and exploring possible consequences.
• Assesses patient needs as they relate to emotional stress, fear of test results, financial or transportation problems, marital conflicts or patient-physician conflicts so as to make proper referral recommendations.
• Coordinates testing, as appropriate, ordered by the physician.
  • Research available testing, determining the best testing modality for the given situation.
  • Counsel patients about available testing options (including benefits and limitations).
  • Compiles the necessary clinical information needed and provides the information to the appropriate departments for prior authorizations to be obtained.
  • Obtains informed consent, as appropriate.
  • Addresses patients concerns about testing methods, implications, turnaround times, and logistics.
  • Tracks patient test results and documents them in appropriate division-maintained databases.
• Interprets genetic test results and communicates test results to patients, as appropriate, assuring continuity of care and education of the patient and family about the nature of the genetic disorder.
• Maintains appropriate medical documentation.
• Keeps care team members appraised of developments in patient cases to ensure continuity of care.
• Consults with other specialties for patient care as needed.
• Maintains continuing education units as required for recertification, including attendance at national conferences and/or participation in web-based training.
• Supervises and provides instruction to medical students, residents, fellows, and other trainees completing genetic rotations, according to the division educational curriculum.
• Serves as an educational resource for physicians and the community through outreach programs and in-service presentations.
• Provides genetic education and information resources