Genetic Counselors
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
- Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
- Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
- Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.
- Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
- Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
- Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as breast, ovarian, prostate and colon cancer; cardiovascular disease; Alzheimer's disease; and diabetes.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics.
- Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
- Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.
- Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.
- Refer patients to specialists or community resources.
- Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients or medical personnel.
- Evaluate or make recommendations for standards of care or clinical operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, ethics, legislation, or policies.
- Design and conduct genetics training programs for physicians, graduate students, other health professions or the general community.
- Collect for or share with research projects patient data related to specific genetic disorders or syndromes.
- Engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics or genetic counseling.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Identify funding sources and write grant proposals for eligible programs or services.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.
