GENETIC COUNSELOR 22281

11/16/93 B

This is the first class in the Genetic Counselor series. Positions in this class provide intake services and basic genetic counseling to high risk patients and communicate with testing laboratories, physicians, and other health professionals. Positions are distinguished from the Genetic Counselor Senior level by the comparatively more routine cases they handle and their lower degree of independence in patient counseling, administrative responsibility, teaching autonomy, communicating test results, and problem solving.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty in obtaining relevant medical histories from patients; coordinating schedules and information with laboratory facilities; assessing patient risk; explaining purpose, procedure, and risks of tests; counseling patients regarding less complex issues; and communicating with referring physicians. Works closely with laboratory staff and physicians. Maintains appropriate patient records and statistics.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor.

Supervision Received: Receives direction from a Genetic Counselor Senior and a physician specialist. Works with considerable independence on cases within the normal range; seeks advice for abnormal cases or refers them to others.

Scope: Genetic clinics typically serve a multi-county region of providers and patients.

Impact of Actions: Work affects the effectiveness of the antenatal testing program and general genetic clinics. Incorrect judgment could cause patients to make decisions which could endanger the health of the mother, fetus, child, or family and lead to medical-legal actions and concerns.

Personal Contacts: Physicians, patients, laboratory staff, graduate students, laboratories throughout the world.

Knowledge: Medical and scientific knowledge of genetic principles and genetic disease, interpretation of laboratory tests, review of scientific literature. Sufficient knowledge to obtain information needed from patients and families, and to distinguish routine from unusual cases.

Skills: Counseling skills. Venipuncture.

Abilities: Ability to organize, teach, explain.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in science, social science, nursing, or a related field. Master's degree in genetics or related field preferred. Significant relevant experience may be substituted for academic training.

Level and Type of Experience: Some experience in a medical setting with counseling responsibilities.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This is a new class proposed by Virginia Commonwealth University, effective November 16, 1993.