Genetic Counselor I, Genomics Laboratory

Genetic Counselor Level I

The Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is excited to announce a new genetic counselor level I position for our Genomics Laboratory. This is a full-time laboratory genetic counseling role supporting our growing genomic testing program. The genetic counselor will work closely with our laboratory directors, genomic analysts, and experienced genetic counselors. The genetic counselor will be involved in variant interpretation for our exome and genome platforms and generation of test reports. The genetic counselor will contribute to the development of new standard operating procedures and quality improvement projects for genomic laboratory operations. There is also opportunity to be involved in research projects and ClinGen initiatives. In addition to the primary work responsibilities, there are opportunities for teaching and engaging with students, fellows, and other trainees. While this is a non-clinical position, the laboratory genetic counselors engage with our clinical teams to provide cutting edge genomic services. Those with a desire to build a career as a laboratory genetic counselor are encouraged to apply. You will be joining a growing team of >30 genetic counselors in a variety of disciplines throughout our organization.

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.

Core Responsibilities for all Genetic Counselors:

• Proficient in the core skills of genetic counseling as outlined 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.

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 communicates 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 Children's electronic medical record software.
• Other responsibilities as they arise that are within the genetic counselor's 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 counselor's 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 counselor's 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