Genetic Counselor 2

Genetic Counselor Position at UC Davis Eye Center

Genetic testing and counseling are now the standard of care for a substantial number of patients seen at the UC Davis Eye Center. The Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science seeks a Genetic Counselor to provide specialized genetic counseling and testing support across multiple ophthalmic subspecialties, including inherited retinal diseases, glaucoma, optic neuropathies, ocular tumors, retinal and inflammatory eye diseases, pediatric ophthalmic conditions, and corneal dystrophies.

The Genetic Counselor will collaborate with faculty and clinical teams to assess genetic risk, obtain and evaluate family histories, coordinate appropriate genetic testing, interpret and communicate results, and counsel patients and families regarding inheritance, prognosis, screening, and implications for at-risk relatives. Serving as a department-wide resource, the Genetic Counselor will support the integration of genetic information into diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical decision making while ensuring coordinated access to genetic services as precision and genomic medicine become increasingly important in ophthalmic care.

Minimum Qualifications:

• American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) eligible or Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC) Board eligible or certification from American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC)
• Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC)
• Masters' Degree in Genetic Counseling
• Previous experience in genetic counseling
• Skills in interviewing and counseling techniques to elicit from the patient or family, the information necessary to reach an appropriate conclusion; anticipate area of difficulty and conflict; assist families and individuals, recognize and cope with their emotional psychological needs; recognize situations requiring psychiatric referral; transmit pertinent information effectively; ability to perform complex risk assessments using genetic and mathematic principles.
• Strong written/oral communication and counseling skills.
• Skill in writing comprehensive counseling reports for patient records, referring health professionals and clients.
• Thorough knowledge of theories and principles of human genetics, including knowledge of cell cycle, meiosis and mitosis; knowledge of chromosomal aberrations and associated clinical features; knowledge of chromosomal polymorphisms; knowledge of chromosomal fragility and breakage syndromes, common Mendelian genetic disorders; knowledge of population cytogenetics; knowledge of human, clinical, molecular, biochemical, somatic cell, and developmental and reproductive genetics.
• Knowledge of the statistical methods and procedures, including survey techniques for evaluation of the adequacy of research designs and techniques; ability to communicate in written form: ability to record data in a timely and accurate manner.
• Knowledge of current development in the field of Genomic Medicine; must be able to remain current as well.
• Knowledge of health care resources available for appropriate referral.
• Skills to present in the field of medical genetics to professional and lay groups.
• Skills to integrate and interpret clinical and genetic information in order to understand the limitations, interpretation and significance of specialized laboratory and clinical procedures.
• Knowledge of research techniques to develop, implement and evaluate genetic/genomic research projects.
• Intermediate level computer skills and experience (EMR, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, web-browser).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual in Spanish

Key Responsibilities:

• 90% - Clinical Responsibilities
• 10% - Clinical Responsibilities

Department Overview:

Complex Ophthalmology and Vision Science based department. 20 + clinical and research faculty, 12 residents, 5 fellows. Dept consists of 4 locations located across the greater Sacramento area and covers Yolo and Placer Counties.

Department Specific Job Scope:

Genetic testing and counseling have become an increasingly important standard of care across multiple specialties within the UC Davis Eye Center. Prior to joining UC Davis, Dr. Jayasundera supervised three health-system-employed genetic counselors at the University of Michigan, reflecting the integral role genetic counseling plays within a comprehensive academic ophthalmology program. As he assumes Dr. Sieving's practice and continues to expand UC Davis' established Inherited Retinal Disease (IRD) program, the need for dedicated genetic counseling support is expected to grow. This need extends well beyond the IRD service. The expanding glaucoma division will incorporate Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) assessments to better identify inherited susceptibility to glaucoma and disease progression. Genetic evaluation is also particularly important for pediatric and juvenile glaucoma, where hereditary conditions can influence diagnosis, prognosis, family screening, treatment planning, and, in some cases, surgical decision-making. Genetic testing is similarly relevant across several other Eye Center specialties.

Neuro-ophthalmology evaluates inherited and mitochondrial optic neuropathies, including Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy and Dominant Optic Atrophy. Ocular oncology and retina manage conditions with established genetic associations, while the uveitis service evaluates monogenic and autoinflammatory disorders such as Blau syndrome, ROSAH, and ADNIV. Genetic evaluation can also help distinguish inflammatory disease from inherited retinal disorders, potentially preventing unnecessary immunosuppression and directing patients toward appropriate treatment. Pediatric ophthalmology frequently evaluates children with poor vision, nystagmus, pathologic myopia, and suspected inherited or syndromic disorders, including Stickler, Neurofibromatosis, DiGeorge, and Goldenhar syndromes. Likewise, the cornea service manages patients with corneal dystrophies for whom genetic confirmation can assist with diagnosis, prognosis, and counseling regarding familial risk. Collectively, these services demonstrate that genetic testing is no longer limited to a single ophthalmic subspecialty. Dedicated genetic counseling support would provide a centralized resource across the Eye Center to facilitate appropriate test selection and coordination, interpretation of results, patient and family counseling, identification of at-risk relatives, and integration of genetic findings into clinical management.

Position Information:

• Salary or Pay Range: $ 51.47 - $67.87
• Salary Frequency: Hourly
• Salary Grade: 110
• UC Job Title: GENETIC CNSLR 2 NEX
• UC Job Code: 007898
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100 %
• Shift (Work Schedule): Mon-Fri, 8am 5pm
• Location: Ellison Ambulatory Care Center (HSP098)
• Union Representation: HX-Healthcare Professionals
• Benefits Eligible: Yes

This position is 100% on-site

Benefits:

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.

High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs

UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family

Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans

Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity

Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees

Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources

Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives

On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services

Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements

Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements

Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees

Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands:

• Standing - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Walking - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Sitting - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours