Genetic Counselor

Genetic Counselor

Provides genetic counseling and referral services for patients of all age groups (including obstetric-prenatal counseling, multiple miscarriage counseling, reproductive screening and advice, newborn consultation and cancer patients) who have or are at risk for genetic conditions or birth defects. Acts as a consultant to health care providers regarding highly specialized genetic information pertinent to management of their patients.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Upholds Kaiser Permanente’s Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities and applicable state, federal and local laws.
• Provides genetic counseling services for all areas of medical genetics including pediatric, prenatal, adult, and cancer referrals.
• Reviews patient chart and evaluates family history through investigation of outside records, examination of affected individuals, or family testing of chromosome analysis, DNA studies, metabolic screening, etc.
• Assesses recurrence risk and recommends medical or genetic testing based on analysis of the risk, benefit and cost.
• Provides crisis intervention and psychosocial counseling to members upon discovery of unexpected findings (e.g., malformation, biochemical disorders) regarding genetic conditions.
• Reviews implications and discusses options with member and/or family members. Makes referrals for ongoing care and support.
• Provides case management for complex genetic cases including coordination medical recommendations and management plans, testing and ongoing counseling.
• Develops, implements and coordinates a wide variety of genetic programs (e.g., prenatal diagnosis, California Prenatal Screening Program, carrier screening and specialty clinics). Follows guidelines mandated by the State of California.
• Produces culturally sensitive and age appropriate patient and health professional educational materials, and participates in community education programs.
• Conducts literature search on rare genetic diseases and keeps abreast of developments in the field.
• Develops and presents in-service education to physicians and health professional education materials, and current medical genetic topics.
• Maintains statistics, survey trends, and adjusts protocols to ensure appropriate patient referral and care.
• Recommends and implements enhanced clinical practice standards.
• Participates in research projects.
• Participates in group quality assurance case conferences with the Medical Geneticist.
• Reviews complex family pedigrees, unusual cases, abnormal AFP results, viewing of photographs, DNA studies, etc.
• Assume other activities and responsibilities from time to time as directed.

Basic Qualifications: Experience

• N/A

Education

• Masters degree in Genetic Counseling or complete degree prior to employment.

License, Certification, Registration

• Genetic Counselor License (California) required at hire from American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics OR Temporary Genetic Counselor License (California) required at hire
• National Provider Identifier required at hire

Additional Requirements:

• Knowledge of Federal, State and Local requirements.
• Demonstrated analytic and diagnostic reasoning skills.
• Ability to clearly explain complex medical information in both verbal and written form.
• Previous experience or knowledge of crisis intervention and interviewing techniques.
• Experience in development of educational programs in human and medical genetics.
• Must be able to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.
• For temporary Genetic Counselor license, must work under the general supervision of a licensed genetic counselor or licensed physician: expiration is after 24 months or 30 days after notification that applicant has failed the ABGC certification exam and it cannot be renewed (whichever comes first)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of computer operations preferred.