Genetic Counseling Assistant - Reproductive Genetic Counseling Program

The Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics at the Icahn School Medicine at Mount Sinai’s Reproductive Genetic Counseling Program (main campus – Upper East Side) is seeking a Genetic Counseling Assistant (GCA). The GCA will report to the department clinical manager and will work with all department staff. Under the supervision of the genetic counselors, the GCA will help facilitate genetic counseling services within a diverse patient population. He/She/They will assist in the coordination of care both prior to and following a genetic counseling session. This includes the collection of information and records necessary prior to an appointment, triaging appointments and coordinating necessary follow-up. He/She/They will need to be able to communicate effectively, professionally and sensitively with patients, providers and team members. The position requires exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills. The applicant should have the ability to work efficiently, independently, and onsite as part of a team. Specific duties are outlined below.

Prior to Genetic Counseling appointments

• Triage timely genetic counseling appointments – urgent vs. non-urgent, depending on their medical management requirements.
• In cooperation with intake coordinators, prepare genetic counseling charts with all needed documents and pertinent pathology/medical reports.  Confirm all pertinent information needed for test ordering has been submitted to streamline ordering.
• Contact patient and/or medical providers to obtain documents as needed.
• Facilitate data entry of health history questionnaires.
• Assist with pre-authorization for visit and/or testing.
• Assist with the communication to appropriate labs to verify insurance coverage.
• Assist patients with utilization of telehealth services.

Post-Genetic Counseling appointments

• Coordinate paperwork and authorization for family/physician communication.
• Schedule patients for lab and/or disclosure visit.
• Forward and track patient consents and sample collection for remote patients.
• Prepare patient test requisitions for genetic testing and research testing with basic genetics and testing requirements.
• Assist in necessary preparation of documentation for test processing.
• Work closely with various laboratories / insurance during the pre-authorization process.
• Execute requests for medical necessity letters or requests for clinical consultation notes.
• Communicate insurance information to patient, i.e., co-pays or deductibles.

Patient follow-up

• Receive and organize genetic test results from laboratories.
• Work with counselors/clinicians to schedule disclosure visits.
• Assist with calling out negative results as directed.
• Prepare genetic test results for scanning into Medical Records and/ or forward to referring provider as needed.

Additional support

• Answer and resolve routine phone inquiries or email requests and triage calls/ emails to genetic counselors.
• Scan and email information to patients with proper authorization
• Cover for administrative assistants when absent.
• Continue to improve workflow including steps related to patient appointment intake, lab ordering/ testing and return of results, etc. 

Database entry

• Help input data into clinical/research database.
• Maintain database.

• Associate's Degree; Bachelor’s degree in a biological/genetics/health science is strongly preferred
• Knowledge of genetics and genetic concepts. Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
• Bi-lingual or multi-lingual capability (Spanish) preferred, but not required

Strength Through Diversity

The Mount Sinai Health System believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are key drivers for excellence. We share a common devotion to delivering exceptional patient care. When you join us, you become a part of Mount Sinai’s unrivaled record of achievement, education, and advancement as we revolutionize medicine together. We invite you to participate actively as a part of the Mount Sinai Health System team by:  

• Using a lens of equity in all aspects of patient care delivery, education