Genetic Counselor at Partner's Healthcare in Boston, Massachusetts

Genetic Counselor

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

Provide specialized genetic counseling, education, and support to individuals and families undergoing evaluation for, living with, or at risk for hereditary cancer syndromes. As a member of the Early Detection and Diagnosis team within the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, the Genetic Counselor partners with physicians and an interdisciplinary healthcare team to deliver patient-centered genetic services across a variety of oncology specialty clinics, including breast and ovarian cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, neuro-oncology, pediatric oncology, and other hereditary cancer programs.

Essential Functions

• Assess personal and family histories to evaluate the risk of hereditary cancer syndromes.
• Provide individualized genetic counseling, education, and psychosocial support to patients and families to facilitate informed decision-making.
• Recommend and coordinate appropriate genetic testing based on clinical presentation, personal history, and family history.
• Interpret genetic test results and develop individualized cancer risk assessments and management recommendations.
• Evaluate and integrate current evidence related to hereditary cancer genes and gene-disease associations into clinical decision-making.
• Communicate genetic test results, cancer risk assessments, and management recommendations to patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare providers.
• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to coordinate comprehensive, patient-centered care.
• Respond to questions from patients, families, physicians, and staff regarding hereditary cancer syndromes, genetic testing, and cancer risk management.
• Document clinical encounters, recommendations, and follow-up plans in accordance with organizational and professional standards.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and contribute to the ongoing advancement of genetic counseling services.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Genetic Counseling required.
• State Genetic Counselor license required.
• One to two years of experience in cancer genetic counseling or a related clinical genetics setting preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of hereditary cancer syndromes, cancer genetics, cancer risk assessment, and current genetic testing methodologies.
• Knowledge of genetic counseling principles, including psychosocial assessment, informed consent, ethical practice, and risk communication.
• Ability to interpret and apply current genetic and genomic evidence in clinical practice.
• Ability to analyze complex clinical and genetic information and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific and medical information clearly, accurately, and compassionately to patients, families, healthcare providers, and colleagues.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and accurate clinical documentation practices.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, empathy, and emotional awareness when navigating sensitive patient situations.
• Knowledge of applicable clinical, regulatory, and professional standards governing genetic counseling practice.
• Proficiency with electronic medical records and clinical documentation systems.