Genetic Counselor I - UPMC Harrisburg

Job Description

Purpose of the Genetic Counselor I :

Performs professional and administrative duties necessary to provide counseling and risk assessment for genetic conditions to patients and families.  Experience with Pregnancy Genetic Counseling is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities :

• Operate, maintain, and update the genetic databases.
• Implement treatment plan and make the appropriate referrals to medical, nursing, social work, and psychological services.
• Assist genetic laboratory services with interpretation and communication of results to patients and physicians.
• Responsible for following the mandatory reporting procedures for any incident or serious event that did affect or potentially could have affected the clinical care of any patient.
• Provide comprehensive genetic counseling at all designated sites and to patients and families referred for genetic services following the competencies established by the ABGC. This includes case preparation, contracting, review of medical and family histories, creation of pedigree, genetic risk assessment, discussion of inheritance / risk / diagnosis / natural history, genetic testing options, possible result outcomes and implications for patient and family, limited related psychosocial assessment, and resource identification (disease / community / healthcare).
• Prepare and conduct lectures / seminars on human genetics and genetic counseling for lay groups, students, and health professionals; provide clinical supervision for residents and fellows rotating through genetics.
• Assist in the development and implementation of ongoing clinical investigations in genetics by writing and editing research manuscripts and grants; recruit and enroll patients into ongoing studies.
• Act as mentor to genetic counseling graduate students from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.
• Responsible for maintenance of QA for the clinical genetic counseling services.
• Communicate with patients and physicians by phone and / or in writing regarding patient care / testing, which includes interpretation of test results.
• Serve as a resource for various health care professionals regarding genetic testing, genetically based questions, teratogens, and genetic medical information.
• Coordinate genetic testing and insurance coverage for genetic testing of genetics patients.

Master of Science in Human Genetics / Genetic Counseling from an American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) accredited institution.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances :

American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) certified genetic counselor who holds or is eligible for PA licensure or after hire must be eligible to apply for a temporary provisional genetic counselor license within PA and must successfully obtain full licensure within 2 years of being hired.

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran