Genetic Counselor Assistant

Kennedy Krieger Institute•Baltimore, MD

5h•Hybrid

About The Position

Kennedy Krieger Institute has a clinical focus on meeting the specialized needs of children and adults with neurological and developmental disorders and rare diseases. We are seeking one full-time Genetic Counselor Assistant (GCA) to join our collaborative and dynamic team of ten genetic counselors and three GCAs. Genetic Counselor Assistants (GCAs) play an essential role in supporting clinical genetic counselors across all aspects of patient care and clinical operations. The GCAs work closely with genetic counselors, other clinicians, and institute staff to support clear communication, efficient workflows, and high-quality care for patients and families receiving genetics services. This is a hybrid position that will involve working onsite at least 2 days per week; therefore, candidates should be willing to relocate to the Baltimore area. A minimum two-year commitment is required. Candidates should submit a cover letter with their application. This position provides valuable exposure to clinical genetics in a multidisciplinary academic medical setting, with ample opportunities for professional development activities and mentorship. Kennedy Krieger Institute is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization located in the greater Baltimore–Washington, DC region. We serve more than 25,000 individuals annually through outpatient and inpatient medical care, therapies, home and community services, school-based programs, professional training, research, and advocacy. We are proud to be designated as a Rare Disease Center of Excellence by the National Organization for Rare Disorders.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with successful completion of at least one undergraduate coursework in genetics.
Cover letter submitted with application.
Willingness to relocate to the Baltimore, Maryland area.
Minimum two-year commitment.
Strong willingness to work both independently and collaboratively with fellow GCAs and the larger genetic counseling team, in support of shared clinic goals and patient-centered care.
Confidence, professionalism, and sensitivity when communicating by phone and electronic platforms with patients, families, healthcare providers, and outside laboratories.

Responsibilities

Coordinate all aspects of genetic testing, including researching appropriate genetic test options, communicating with external laboratories regarding pricing, turn-around-time, and specimen requirements; completing electronic and paper test requisition forms; ordering specimen collection kits; compiling clinical information; tracking ordered tests; and following up on pending or overdue results.
Collaborate with the Patient Access staff and external laboratories to obtain preauthorization for genetic testing, including writing letters of medical necessity, compiling clinical documentation, preparing insurance forms, and submitting requests through via online authorization portals as available.
Screen, triage, prioritize, respond to, and document patient and family phone calls and electronic communications, routing issues appropriately to genetic counselors.
Assist with clinic scheduling and referral triage in collaboration with Care Center staff, including addressing cancellations and no shows, scheduling appointments, and ensuring timely triage of new referrals to maintain full clinic schedules.
Review internal and external medical records and obtain missing documentation in preparation for genetic counseling visits.
Assist with preparation of clinical documentation, including genetic counseling visit notes, result summary letters, and patient and family educational materials.
Respond to inquiries about genetic counseling and testing from other Institute staff, patients, families, and outside healthcare providers.
Perform literature and genomic database searches under direction of the genetic counselors.
Enter data into and maintain internal clinic databases and tracking systems.
Participate in clinical meetings and other programmatic activities and take meeting notes when requested.