Genetic Counselor I

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

Location

Job Description

This is an entry level clinical genetic counselor position providing genetic counseling to patients and families for a variety of indications. The position involves participation in all aspects of delivery of genetics services including involvement in the diagnostic evaluation process care coordination identification of resources and advocacy.

New grads that apply must have completed their program by June of 2026 and include a cover letter.

The selected individual will work M-F from the Lurie main hospital campus.

The Edwards Family Division of Genetics and Rare Diseases is excited to be recruiting for a new full-time clinical genetic counselor role with primary responsibilities supporting our inpatient consultation service. This is a unique genetic counseling position in a pediatric and general genetics setting providing high level genetics evaluation and genetic counseling during the patients admission to our hospital. The person in this role will work alongside 2 genetic counselors currently serving on the inpatient consultation team and partner with our rotating group of metabolic and general genetics physicians and advanced practice providers. The patient population is one of high medical complexity in our neonatal pediatric and cardiac intensive care units and typically require rapid genome sequencing. The ideal candidate will have strengths in flexibility adaptability communication and expertise in interpretation and understanding of clinical exome and genome testing. Come join our growing team of >30 genetic counselors with expertise in a number of subspecialty areas. This is a genetic counselor level I position and new graduates will be considered for this role.

Essential Job Functions:

Core Responsibilities for all Genetic Counselors:

• Proficient in the Core Skills of Genetic Counseling as outline by the National society of Genetic Counselors.

  • Deep and broad knowledge of genetics.

  • Ability to tailor translate and communicate complex information in a simple relevant way for a broad range of audiences.

  • Strong interpersonal skills emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

  • Ability to dissect and analyze complex problems.

  • Research skills (self-education).

  • In-depth knowledge of healthcare delivery.

• Performs job functions adhering to Lurie Childrens service principles and mission

The following list of responsibilities may or may not be applicable based on your individual position and job responsibilities.

Clinical Genetic Counselor Responsibilities:

• Communicates test results to patients/families referring physicians primary care physicians and other appropriate clinicians.

• Coordinates and communicate all aspects of post evaluation patient follow up.

• Writes proper documentation of patient visit and visit letters. Generate other letters for patient case as needed.

• Helps coordinate general and specialty genetics clinics as assigned.

• Serves as the liaison between specialty services involved in the care of children with genetic disorders and assist with case management of medically complex patients.

• Coordinates genetic testing of patient and appropriate family members including obtaining insurance authorization.

• Provides education on the natural history management genetics and inheritance of genetic disorders with language tailored to patients and families.

• Performs psychosocial assessment and provides appropriate support and resources to patients and families in the coping of their genetic diagnosis or medical condition.

• Participates in inpatient consultations.

• Participates in genetic counseling on-call rotation and performs duties such as fielding telephone calls from clinicians and patients requesting genetics information assessing referrals to Genetics and determining appropriate scheduling of patient triaging urgent patient calls etc.

• Keeps up to date on latest clinical and research developments in medical genetics.

• Masters all necessary functions in Epic or current Lurie Childrens electronic medical record software.

• Other responsibilities as they arise that are within the genetic counselors scope of practice.

Laboratory Utilization Management Genetic Counselor Responsibilities :

• Functions as a liaison between laboratory and clinicians to address questions regarding genetic testing and to help ensure appropriate patient referral.

• Screens and reviews orders for genetic tests whether in-house or sent to reference laboratories. Recommends alternative genetic testing based on analysis of the risk benefit and cost.

• Reviews clinical and family histories as required to outline appropriate genetic testing strategy for ordering clinician.

• Provide guidance on obtaining insurance authorization for genetic testing and facilitate the process.

• Maintains list of referral testing sites and maintains communication with referral laboratory representatives.

• Reviews test results by performing necessary literature searches to integrate new discoveries with clinical diagnoses and test interpretation. Effectively communicate this information to ordering clinicians.

• Coordinates appropriate follow up testing with ordering clinicians based on results of the proband and assessment of risk for family members and future pregnancy.

• Provides written documentation/reports of test results summaries recommendations and support groups.

• Works with laboratory management and clinicians to consolidate genetic reference lab testing on an ongoing basis to minimize the number of laboratories used and negotiate the lowest cost per test.

• Assist laboratory revenue cycle coordinator with the establishment of CPT coding for genetic tests to ensure regulatory compliance.

• Other responsibilities as they arise that are within the genetic counselors scope of practice.

Molecular Laboratory Genetic Counselor Responsibilities:

• Along with laboratory directors perform data interpretation and analysis for in house genetic tests including reviewing relevant patient and family histories to correlate test results.

• Generates written documentation/reports of test results and includes disease summaries recommendations and support group information.

• Communicates genetic test results with appropriate follow up recommendations and facilitates or provides genetic counseling services as requested by healthcare providers.

• Performs necessary literature searches to integrate new discoveries with clinical diagnoses and test interpretation.

• Participates in molecular laboratory new test development.

• Maintain and develop standard operating procedures (SOP) or workflows for optimization of in-house genetic testing interpretation reporting and curation.

• Screens and reviews orders for genetic tests whether in-house or sent to reference laboratories and when appropriate recommend alternative genetic testing approach based on analysis of the risk benefit and cost.

• Assist laboratory revenue cycle coordinator with the establishment of CPT coding for genetic tests to ensure regulatory compliance.

• Other responsibilities as they arise that are within the genetic counselors scope of practice.

Research Genetic Counselor Responsibilities:

• Conducts study start-up activities and prepares and maintains all regulatory documents required by sponsor and/or regulatory agencies.

• Prepares protocols informed consent documents modifications renewals and other necessary documents for review by the IRB and/or sponsor.

• Coordinates study activities with other research departments to effectively implement clinical research projects. This includes

  • Obtaining required letters of support and/or approvals as needed (i.e. IBC SRC etc.).

  • Monitoring protocols are followed.

• Obtains high level of knowledge regarding specific condition(s) which is(are) the subject of the research study to provide education on the natural history management genetics and inheritance of genetic disorders with language tailored to study participants and families.

• Identifies verifies and recruits eligible study participants and conducts the informed consent/assent process. This includes:

  • Communicating with appropriate clinical team members to identify eligible patients

  • Using functions in Epic such as SlicerDicer to identify eligible patients

  • Attending meetings and patient gatherings to spread awareness of research being conducted at our organization

• Performs study participant research visits. This includes:

  • Scheduling necessary study assessments and procedures per study protocol

  • Preparing laboratory/specimen collection kits and ensuring samples are processed and sent out appropriately

  • Communicating with research partners such as CRU research pharmacy research laboratory and other applicable departments regarding study visit

  • Communicating with study participants regarding their study visit so participants understand scheduled study procedures

  • Facilitating travel and reimbursement for study participants if applicable

• Conducts site qualification study initiation monitoring and/or close-out visits.

• Communicates with study sponsor and study vendors and responds to queries/requests promptly.

• Records submits and maintains study data and documents as outlined in study protocols. This includes:

  • Abstracting data from medical records and enters medical information/data onto protocol specific case report forms study flow sheets and other required study forms

  • Preparing abstracted/coded data for processing/analysis

  • Recording data on source documents and CRFs and/or electronic web-based systems

  • Creating and/or updating case report forms and/or source document templates

  • Maintaining all study documents such as regulatory binders source documents correspondence etc. as required by sponsor and/or regulatory agencies.

• Monitors documents and reports adverse events as required.

• Maintains inventory of research related supplies lab kits and equipment.

• Functions as a patient liaison and addresses study questions billing issues barriers to compliance etc. and appropriately communicates with study patients clinical team as needed.

• Assists with QA/QC procedures and QA/QC checks for database validity and data monitoring.

• Tracks study progress and deadlines for grants/deliverables.

• Attends investigator meetings.

• Contributes on the preparation of abstracts/posters for scientific meetings and manuscripts for publication.

• Continues to learn new research methods tools systems and scientific principles.

• Promotes the ethical conduct of research by actively participating in research related educational meetings/conferences (planning presenting etc.).

• Adheres to research protocol in compliance with applicable institutional local and federal regulations (OHRP FDA GCP etc.).

• Other responsibilities as they arise that are within the genetic counselors scope of practice.

Research Activities not associated with Research Genetic Counselor Responsibilities:

• Identifies appropriate research opportunities for patients; and if desired by patients facilitates patient participation.

• For laboratory-based GCs participates in laboratory research initiatives including data curation and Precision Medicine initiatives when applicable.

Education Activities:

• Participate in student education by supervising genetic counseling students and medical students and working with residents fellows APN students and nutrition students during their rotation in Genetics.

• Provide education to fellow Genetics team members by sharing information from meetings conferences journal clubs and other educational resources.

• Provides shadowing opportunities or professional advice to those interested in the genetic counseling field.

• For laboratory based GCs participates in educational activities for referring clinicians laboratory staff students and community healthcare partners on genetic disorders available genetic tests and general information on genetic test techniques.

Advocacy Activities:

• Participate in family support education and patient advocacy programs.

Leadership and Professional Development Activities:

• Participate in various Division or Hospital committees programs or working groups.

• Active members of various professional societies such as GTFI NSGC ASHG ACMG SIMD etc.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Education: Masters degree from an accredited genetic counseling graduate program

• Certification/Licensure/Registration: Active IL Genetic Counseling License

• Years of Relevant Experience: none

• For research genetic counselors maintains CITI certifications outlined by IRB to serve as study coordinators

• Computer Skills (i.e. Software/Hardware): Microsoft Office Programs

• Equipment: None

• Other Skills (i.e. Project Management Negotiation)

Education

Pay Range

At Lurie Childrens we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity reflecting individual contributions experience and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions. In addition to base salary Lurie Childrens offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees leadership incentivesfor select roles health and retirement benefits and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO) Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Life AD&D and Disability

• Critical Illness Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage

• Tuition assistance

• Student loan servicing and support

• Adoption benefits

• Backup Childcare and Eldercare

• Employee Assistance Program and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members

• Discount on services at Lurie Childrens facilities

• Discount purchasing program

Theres a Place for You with Us

At Lurie Childrens we embrace and celebrate building a team with a variety of backgrounds skills and viewpoints recognizing that different life experiences strengthen our workplace and the care we provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly appreciate differences and make meaningful connections that foster belonging. This is a place where you can be your best so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.

Lurie Childrens and its affiliatesare equal employment opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression religion national origin ancestry age disability marital status pregnancy protected veteran status order of protection status protected genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

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