Perinatal Counselor

South Shore Health•Weymouth, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Perinatal Counselor counsels patients and families about genetic and non-genetic concerns and serves as a resource to patients, families, and health care providers on genetic counseling issues. The role involves supporting patients during highly stressful periods and handling sensitive information with empathy and care. The counselor also participates in developing programs related to the Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) unit. The position includes counseling regarding screening results, maternal age, pregnancy loss, fetal anomalies, family history, ultrasound findings, teratogens, and diagnostic procedures. It also involves obtaining and evaluating family histories, determining whether additional testing or screening is appropriate, coordinating referrals and appointments, interpreting laboratory results, and communicating information to patients and providers. The counselor provides education and follow-up support, maintains patient confidentiality, collaborates with outside laboratories, and contributes to professional development and effective communication within the unit.

Requirements

One to three years of genetic counseling or directly related experience.
Good communication and interpersonal skills, particularly counseling skills and sensitivity to people in crisis.
Maintains a professional attitude when dealing with patients and staff.
Ability to work in stressful situations within specific time frames while remaining professional and calm.

Nice To Haves

MA/MS with a specialty in Genetic Counseling preferred.

Responsibilities

Counsel patients and families referred for abnormal serum screening results, advanced maternal age, difficult decision-making, first-trimester or integrated screening, pregnancy loss, suspected or known fetal anomalies, significant family history, ultrasound findings, and teratogens.
Counsel patients and families about diagnostic procedures, including amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and percutaneous blood sampling (PUBS).
Obtain family histories and evaluate the need for additional testing or screening.
Make appropriate referrals and triage or review patient histories to ensure appropriate appointment scheduling.
Interpret genetic laboratory results and communicate them to patients and providers in a timely manner.
Maintain patient confidentiality and prioritize patient needs.
Serve as a resource to staff, patients, and providers on genetic counseling issues, including providing educational programs and supporting providers in the hospital and community.
Train or supervise genetic counseling students and adapt teaching and counseling to patients’ cognitive abilities.
Provide appropriate follow-up support and referrals, and support patients and families facing difficult decisions with empathy.
Assess patients’ and families’ ability to cope with difficult news and make appropriate referrals.
Maintain relationships with outside laboratories and remain aware of quality assurance issues.
Keep current with changes and new technologies in the field; maintain professional memberships and board eligibility or certification; and attend educational seminars and meetings.
Model constructive interactions, facilitate problem resolution among peers, and contribute to the ongoing development of the unit.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with patients, families, and staff, resolving conflicts as they arise and bringing appropriate conflicts to the Director’s attention.
Practice self-care to reduce compassion fatigue.