Genetic Counselor, Pediatric Cytogenetics (Galveston)

UTMB Health•Galveston, TX

15d•Hybrid

About The Position

To provide professional counseling and education to individuals at risk for hereditary malformations or diseases. This role involves reviewing patient referrals and records, identifying documentation deficits, and researching background information relevant to risk assessment. The Genetic Counselor will provide genetic counseling to patients under physician supervision, interpret genetic risks, and maintain accurate family history records. They will assist patients in understanding genetic diseases and birth defects, engage in culturally competent counseling, and facilitate informed decision-making. The position also includes assessing patient needs, coordinating testing, counseling on testing options, obtaining prior authorizations, and maintaining computerized genetic and prenatal data files. The role requires coordinating referrals for prenatal counseling, addressing patient concerns about testing, tracking test results, interpreting and communicating results, and maintaining medical documentation. Collaboration with care team members and other specialties is essential. The position also involves maintaining continuing education units, supervising and instructing trainees, and serving as an educational resource for physicians and the community. Representation of UTMB in the field of genetics and attendance at meetings are also key responsibilities.

Requirements

Masters degree in Human Genetics and/or certification by the American Board of Medical Genetics.
No experience required.

Responsibilities

Reviews referrals and charts for patients with pending appointments.
Reviews available patient records.
Identifies deficits in documentation and notifies appropriate staff for additional records.
Researches background information about diagnoses, test results, exposures, or other factors affecting risk assessment.
Provides genetic counseling to patients under physician supervision and in accordance with division policies.
Obtains accurate personal and family history and interprets data in terms of genetic risks.
Provides risk assessment in accordance with division policies.
Records family histories according to national standards.
Assists patients in understanding genetic diseases or birth defects through 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.
Facilitates informed decision making for patients by providing facts, discussing alternatives, and exploring consequences.
Assesses patient's physical and emotional needs to plan appropriate subsequent care and make referral recommendations.
Coordinates testing as ordered by the physician.
Researches available testing and determines the best testing modality.
Counsels patients about available testing options, including benefits and limitations.
Compiles clinical information for prior authorizations.
Obtains informed consent.
Maintains computerized genetic and prenatal data file for state and federal program reporting.
Coordinates referrals for prenatal counseling with outreach clinics.
Addresses patient concerns about testing methods, implications, turnaround times, and logistics.
Tracks patient test results and documents them in appropriate databases.
Interprets genetic test results and communicates them to patients.
Maintains appropriate medical documentation.
Keeps care team members appraised of developments in patient cases.
Consults with other specialties for patient care as needed.
Maintains continuing education units as required for recertification.
Supervises and provides instruction to medical students, residents, fellows, and other trainees.
Serves as an educational resource for physicians and the community.
Provides genetic education and information resources to patients, colleagues, and the community.
Represents UTMB in the field of genetics on local and national levels.
Attends regularly scheduled meetings and facilitates the scheduling of other meetings.
Adheres to internal controls established for the department and institution.
Updates patient records and confers with patients when problems arise.
Performs related duties as required.