Genetic Counselor Assistant

Johns Hopkins University • Baltimore, MD

1d • $42,330 - $74,110 • Onsite

About The Position

Under direct supervision by genetic counselors and guided by the procedures of Ambulatory Services, this role supports the clinical work of the Johns Hopkins Prenatal Genetics office. The Genetic Counselor Assistant (GCA) will work primarily with clinical genetic counselors (GCs) to assist with all aspects of patient care. The GCA is responsible for collaborating with GCs, other clinicians, patients, and hospital staff in the operational functioning of the genetic counseling clinical activities to ensure optimal communication and efficient services are provided, thus meeting the needs of patients and families served by the genetic counseling program. Critical features of this position are described below and are subject to change at the discretion of management. This job description reflects the designation of essential job functions but does not provide an all-inclusive list of duties that may be assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biological/Health Science or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office software, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both over the telephone and in person.
• Ability to deal sensitively and effectively with patients.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work well both independently, with little supervision, and in a team setting.

Nice To Haves

• Successful completion of at least one undergraduate course in genetics.

Responsibilities

• Assisting genetic counselors with all aspects of patient intake, genetic counseling and documentation.
• Review of genetic test results, including receiving results through reference lab online portals and disseminating to appropriate GC, faxing test results to referring OBs, and calling out negative routine genetic test results using script provided by GC and arranging follow-up telephone call with GC as needed.
• Coordinate and assist with all aspects of genetic testing, including transporting specimens, investigating genetic test options, contacting labs for price, turn-around-time, and sample requirements, completing electronic and paper test requisition forms, ordering specimen collection kits, compiling clinical information for labs, and tracking ordered tests.
• Assist GC in preparing for patient appointments by obtaining basic pedigree from patient by phone prior to appointment, reviewing relevant medical records and obtaining missing documents, and performing searches of medical literature and publicly-available genetic databases as requested by GC.
• Prepare correspondence and documentation, including letters of medical necessity to obtain insurance authorization, drafting components of genetic counseling visit notes, result summary letters, and other patient/family educational materials for review by GC, and documenting any patient correspondence in electronic medical record.
• Assist with general office tasks, including answering phones and fielding general phone calls, serving as back-up to schedule appointments when patient service coordinator is out of office, and maintaining the master Outlook calendar.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level