How to become A Genetic Counselor

Genetic Counselors are professionals who have specialized training in medical Genetics and Counseling to provide personalized help individuals or families may need as they make educated decisions about their genetic health and adapt to their particular condition.

• Certified Genetic Counselor
• Licensed Genetic Counselor

What do Genetic Counselors do?

A Genetic Counselor would typically need to:

• Interview patients face-to-face or over the phone to get comprehensive individual family and medical histories
• Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders and syndromes
• Interview patients to obtain comprehensive medical histories; document the findings to provide information on complex genetic concepts for patients or referring physicians
• Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits, and limitations with patients and families
• Order genetic tests and arrange medical and diagnostic testing as well as testing of relatives
• Take blood samples from patients for genetic testing; interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians
• Counsel patients and family members by providing information, education, reassurance regarding genetic risks and inherited conditions
• Deal with psychological and ethical issues raised by individuals and their families
• Determine patient treatment plans by reviewing laboratory work, literature, and patient histories
• Communicate with laboratories about the tests they offer; advocate for patients with their insurance companies

Genetic Counselors work in a variety of clinical, laboratory, and research settings. Genetic Counselors work with families, patients, and other medical professionals. Travel within a workday is standard, as clinics may be spread across different hospitals. Genetic Counselors need to dress professionally in a way that does not intimidate the patients or their families.

Most Genetic Counselors work full time and have a standard work schedule. You may usually work 40 hours a week and do not generally have to work weekends or evenings. Start and finish times may be flexible, depending on the department. Part-time work and job share opportunities may be available.

As a Genetic Counselor, you may work in public health settings to improve access to services and determine public policy. You may also function as consultants for pharmaceutical companies.

Genetic Counselors are generally employed by:

• Hospitals
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Schools
• Colleges
• Universities
• Doctor’s Offices
• Genetic Testing Laboratories
• Research Studies
• Insurance Companies

Professional associations and organizations are crucial for Genetic Counselors interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your Resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as a Genetic Counselor

• Confidentiality
• Multiplex testing
• Recognition of social and cultural differences
• Need for a genetically literate public
• Heavy workload
• Emotionally demanding because of interaction with distressed individuals and families

Clinical rotations provide supervised experience for students, allowing them to work in different work environments, such as prenatal diagnostic centers, pediatric hospitals, cancer centers. Students must complete clinical rotations, during which they work directly with patients and clients.

Some schools offer internships or summer programs for students interested in Genetic Counseling. They allow students to gain experience at clinics or hospitals and prepare them for a graduate degree program. Some schools require applicants to have performed some type of counseling work. Relevant experience may be gained through healthcare work (e.g., nursing/social work) or supporting a vulnerable child or adult.

If your degree did not include modules on Genetics and Counselling, it is recommended that you get basic training on these disciplines before applying for courses.

Genetic Counselors typically need an accredited master’s degree in Genetic Counseling or Genetics with emphasis on public health, epidemiology, psychology, developmental biology, or Genetics. These programs include rigorous academic coursework, clinical training, and a research component.

A bachelor's degree in biology or a healthcare-related field offering students the necessary knowledge in embryology, biology, chemistry, anatomy, statistics, or cell biology is a prerequisite for enrolling in a master's program in Genetic Counseling.

In some locations, professionally-qualified and registered nurses who have completed training in counseling skills and human genetics graduates with a relevant degree and training in genomic counseling may apply for the post of Genetic Counselor.

Certifications from professional organizations serve as proof of competency for Genetic Counselors and give candidates an edge in employment. Employers typically require or prefer prospective Genetic Counselors to be certified, even if the government does not require it. To become certified, a student must complete an accredited master’s degree program and pass an exam.

Some locations require Genetic Counselors to become licensed before performing work with the public. Certification is a must to obtain a license.

There is a structured career path within the public health service from pre-registration Genetic Counselor to Genetic Counselor to principal/lead Genetic Counselor, and, ultimately, to Consultant Genetic Counselor. Once qualified, you can progress through the grades by gaining experience. Promotion is based on merit, and you may need to move to other hospitals to make the most of available opportunities.

Principal Genetic Counselors are experts with substantial experience and training beyond that of a Genetic Counselor. Consultant Genetic Counselors have a lead role locally and nationally in a field of expertise. Opportunities to become a consultant Genetic Counselor are rare and only available in some clinical genetics departments.

You can develop your career by becoming a committee or board member for professional bodies. Some Genetic Counselors choose to pursue careers as researchers on psychosocial issues of Genetic Counselling, either combined with their clinical practice or exclusively doing research.

Genetic Counselors who graduate from an accredited program and pass the board certification exam can generally expect the most favorable job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is the holistic commitment of professionals towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. There are a host of CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help professionals in the field.

CPD allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. It stops practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated, allows individuals to identify any knowledge gaps, and allows professionals to progress to a new specialism.

Guided reflection on your work and exploration of the interaction between you and your patients under the supervision of an experienced senior will improve your practice and enhance the quality and safety of patient care.

Combining the Science and Psychological Impact of Healthcare on Patients

Genetic Counseling is one of the few medical professions that includes extensive training in the science and the psychological impact of healthcare on patients. A master's degree in Genetic Counseling helps students develop the skills needed to research, counsel and consult with patients, their families, and members of the healthcare community while gathering and disseminating information on genetic conditions.

Most Genetic Counselors work in traditional areas including prenatal, pediatrics, cancer, and several specialty areas, including cardiovascular health, genomic medicine, neurogenetics, psychiatry, and assisted reproductive technologies.

Why Do Patients Go to Genetic Counselors?

Patients consult with a Genetic Counselor for a wide variety of reasons. Some individuals want to determine if they have a genetic disease. Other individuals have a strong family history of cancer or some other genetic disorder, are pregnant, and have an ultrasound abnormality or abnormal blood testing in pregnancy.

How Do Genetic Counselors Support Patients?

Genetic Counselors are specialists, which means that they work with a patient’s healthcare provider as a part of a patient’s complete care. They explain family history and inheritance and how a condition may occur or reoccur.

Genetic testing can be complicated, and technological advances in testing make the choices even more difficult. Genetic Counselors have the expertise to make sure the right test is recommended. Most genetic disorders involve lifelong care, and Genetic Counselors often coordinate a patient's care amongst several specialties and support them across their lifespan.

Shadowing a Genetic Counselor

If you want to explore whether Genetic Counseling is a career that is right for you, then shadowing a Genetic Counselor can help you learn more about the profession and perhaps help you reach a decision

Shadowing a Genetic Counselor can enhance your application to a Genetic Counseling postgraduate school program. Some centers/hospitals offer a one-day shadowing option, while others may provide long-term experiences that last a semester or more. These could include Genetic Counseling Assistant positions that may either be paid or unpaid.

Additional Duties

Experienced Genetic Counselors may need to design and implement clinical genetics audits, undertake and present findings of research to colleagues, or mentor junior or trainee Genetic Counselors and students.

More than 80 percent of children with genetic diseases are born to parents with no prior history in their families.

Genetic counseling gives its practitioners a good split between patient care and hard science research. The field of Genetics is expanding and being incorporated into many different areas of medicine. This diversity of practice provides a unique flexibility so that each Genetic Counselor can find a niche that matches their interests and goals.

Keeping up with the latest in genomics, where new developments happen almost daily, can be challenging. Yet the ability to impact more than just the patient by studying the genome makes the job well worth it.