Genetic Counselor
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Job Description
Genetic counselors offer people advice and information about medical genetics, using their focused graduate degrees and training as health professionals.
Biology, genetics, psychology, public health, nursing, and similar fields all provide a springboard into this discipline.
When individuals want to undergo genetic testing to assess their disease risk, genetic counselors offer vital help with improving peoples' comprehension of genetic risk factors.
They highlight the meaning of genetics and disease as it relates to family, psychological condition, and overall medical care, and assist people in accepting these factors.
Responsibilities
Genetic counselors also research family medical history, aiding individuals in pinpointing potential genetic predispositions so that they can get the tests they need most.
They educate patients on the risks of contracting particular ailments based on genetic information and family histories.
Their responsibilities include:
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Performing analyses on patient and family histories
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Conducting genetic testing procedures
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Performing genetic risk exams and consult patients
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Educating individuals, family members, and loved ones on patient health risks
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Counseling patients upon diagnosis and assist with management.
Skills
Communication |
Must effectively communicate with your co-workers to ensure the best care and the proper procedures. Must be able to communicate in high-stress environments. |
Active Listening |
Offering your full attention to an individual person or group in order to fully understand problems and their nature. |
Critical Thinking |
Must use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
Judgment and Decision Making |
Needs to be able to act autonomously and make difficult decisions that would benefit the patient or make corrections. Must consider all benefits and repercussions of potential actions and choose the appropriate one. |
Complex Problem Solving |
Must be able to identify complex problems and develop and evaluate corrective options and implement solutions. |
Stress Management |
Must be able to endure intense situations and handle pressure that comes with extreme situations you may encounter. |
Trustworthiness |
Must be trustworthy because you have people's lives in your hands and what you do could help or hurt them. They are entrusted with a great responsibility and must live up to it. |
Perceptiveness |
Gauging how people react and read their body language to decipher their feelings and predict their actions. They must be able to determine if people could be a risk to themselves or others and to distinguish truths from lies. |
Working Conditions
Genetic counselors typically work in clinical settings such as hospitals, doctor's offices, laboratories, research institutes, insurance companies, and various other areas throughout the healthcare industry. Most work the standard 40-hour week.
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Salary Outlook

Estimated Annual Salary | Average Hourly Wage | Positions Nationwide |
---|---|---|
$58,610.00 | $28.18 | 2,000 |
Title | Company | Location | Posted |
---|---|---|---|
Genetic Counselor | Baystate Medical Center | Springfield, MA | 02.18.2019 |
Full / Part Time: Full-Time Location: Springfield, Massachusetts Regular/Temporary: Regular Genetic Counselor This is the opportunity youve been looking for - New Grads welcome to apply! Baystate Health is seeking a Full-time Genetic... | |||
Genetic Counselor II - Levine Cancer Institute Genetics | Carolinas HealthCare System | Charlotte, NC | 02.07.2019 |
Job Req ID: 185236 Position Number: 00166739 Employment Type: Full Time Shift: Day Shift Details : Weekdays, 7-4, M-F Standard Hours: 40.00 Department Name: LCI Genetics Location: Carolinas... | |||
Genetic Counselor - Women's Faculty Practice | Medical University of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | 02.11.2019 |
Reporting to the Genetic Counseling Coordinator performs all components of genetic counseling in Ambulatory Womens Health, governed by broad instruction in a constantly advancing field. | |||
Genetic Counselor I - Children's Specialty Center | Carolinas HealthCare System | Charlotte, NC | 01.16.2019 |
Job Req ID: 183111 Position Number: 00075161 Employment Type: Full Time Shift: Day Shift Details : Mon - Fri 8a-5p Standard Hours: 40.00 Department Name: NEPN - Ped Pavilion Shared Exp Location:... | |||
Financial Counselor | Baystate Medical Center | Springfield, MA | 02.18.2019 |
Full / Part Time: Part-Time Location: Baystate Medical Center Regular/Temporary: Regular About Baystate Health Baystate Health, a leading not-for-profit integrated health system, is transforming the delivery of health care to the... | |||
Financial Counselor | Lake Charles Memorial Hospital | Lake Charles, LA | 02.18.2019 |
The financial counselor supports billing and collections processes by verifying eligibility and benefits, collecting copays, obtaining and maintaining patient insurance. Meets with patient and/or families to explain LCMH expectations to their... | |||
IGM Genetic Technologist II | Nationwide Children's Hospital | Columbus, OH | 02.15.2019 |
Full Time, Benefit Eligible Genetic Technologist II: Responsible for performance of routine and complex laboratory analyses, quality control, operational improvement, preventative maintenance and education within the Institute for Genomic... | |||
IGM Genetic Technologist II | Nationwide Children's Hospital | Columbus, OH | 02.15.2019 |
Full Time, Benefit Eligible Genetic Technologist II: is responsible for performance of routine and complex laboratory analyses, quality control, operational improvement, preventative maintenance and education within the Institute for Genomic... | |||
Per diem - Chemical Health Counselor | Regions Hospital | St Paul, MN | 02.15.2019 |
Job Description: Provides assessment of chemical use problems, creates and monitors individualized treatment plans, provides family counseling and chemical health counseling services to individuals with chemical abuse problems; and performs... | |||
Substance Use Disorder Counselor (1.0 FTE) | Essentia Health | Brainerd, MN | 02.15.2019 |
Responsible for performing chemical dependency evaluations, participating in contributing to interdisciplinary treatment and discharge plans and providing individual and group chemical dependency counseling services. The chemical dependency... | |||
Substance Use Disorder Counselor (1.0 FTE) | Essentia Health | Brainerd, MN | 02.15.2019 |
Responsible for performing chemical dependency evaluations, participating in contributing to interdisciplinary treatment and discharge plans and providing individual and group chemical dependency counseling services. The chemical dependency... | |||
Spiritual Counselor, Hospice; Per Diem | UMass Memorial Medical Center | Leominster, MA | 02.15.2019 |
The primary responsibility of the Spiritual Counselor is to respond to referrals pertaining to the interfaith spiritual needs of hospice patients, their families and caregivers, and hospice staff. The Spiritual Counselor works as a member of the... | |||
Counselor Inpatient Psych Unit Baystate Wing Hospital | Baystate Medical Center | Springfield, MA | 02.18.2019 |
Full / Part Time: Per Diem Location: Palmer, Massachusetts Regular/Temporary: Regular As a Counselor in the Inpatient Parker Psych Unit at Baystate Wing Hospital, your essential functions inlcude: Performs a wide range of functions related... | |||
IGM Genetic Technologist I | Nationwide Children's Hospital | Columbus, OH | 02.15.2019 |
Full Time, Benefit Eligible Genetic Technologist I: is responsible for performance of routine and complex laboratory analyses, quality control, operational improvement, and preventative maintenance within the Institute for Genomic Medicine.... | |||
IGM Genetic Technologist I | Nationwide Children's Hospital | Columbus, OH | 02.15.2019 |
Full Time, Benefit Eligible Genetic Technologist I: is responsible for performance of routine and complex laboratory analyses, quality control, operational improvement, and preventative maintenance within the Institute for Genomic Medicine.... |
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Genetic Counselor
Springfield, MO
Baystate Medical Center
Full / Part Time: Full-Time Location: Springfield, Massachusetts Regular/Temporary: Regular Genetic Counselor This is the opportunity youve been looking for - New Grads welcome to apply! Baystate Health is seeking a Full-time Genetic...
-
Genetic Counselor II - Levine Cancer Institute Genetics
Charlotte, NC
Carolinas HealthCare System
Job Req ID: 185236 Position Number: 00166739 Employment Type: Full Time Shift: Day Shift Details : Weekdays, 7-4, M-F Standard Hours: 40.00 Department Name: LCI Genetics Location: Carolinas...
-
Genetic Counselor - Women's Faculty Practice
Charleston, SC
Medical University of South Carolina
Reporting to the Genetic Counseling Coordinator performs all components of genetic counseling in Ambulatory Womens Health, governed by broad instruction in a constantly advancing field.
-
Genetic Counselor I - Children's Specialty Center
Charlotte, NC
Carolinas HealthCare System
Job Req ID: 183111 Position Number: 00075161 Employment Type: Full Time Shift: Day Shift Details : Mon - Fri 8a-5p Standard Hours: 40.00 Department Name: NEPN - Ped Pavilion Shared Exp Location:...
-
Financial Counselor
Springfield, MO
Baystate Medical Center
Full / Part Time: Part-Time Location: Baystate Medical Center Regular/Temporary: Regular About Baystate Health Baystate Health, a leading not-for-profit integrated health system, is transforming the delivery of health care to the...
-
Financial Counselor
Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles Memorial Hospital
The financial counselor supports billing and collections processes by verifying eligibility and benefits, collecting copays, obtaining and maintaining patient insurance. Meets with patient and/or families to explain LCMH expectations to their...
-
IGM Genetic Technologist II
Columbus, OH
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Full Time, Benefit Eligible Genetic Technologist II: Responsible for performance of routine and complex laboratory analyses, quality control, operational improvement, preventative maintenance and education within the Institute for Genomic...
-
IGM Genetic Technologist II
Columbus, OH
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Full Time, Benefit Eligible Genetic Technologist II: is responsible for performance of routine and complex laboratory analyses, quality control, operational improvement, preventative maintenance and education within the Institute for Genomic...
-
Per diem - Chemical Health Counselor
St. Paul, MN
Regions Hospital
Job Description: Provides assessment of chemical use problems, creates and monitors individualized treatment plans, provides family counseling and chemical health counseling services to individuals with chemical abuse problems; and performs...
-
Substance Use Disorder Counselor (1.0 FTE)
Duluth, MN
Essentia Health
Responsible for performing chemical dependency evaluations, participating in contributing to interdisciplinary treatment and discharge plans and providing individual and group chemical dependency counseling services. The chemical dependency...
-
Substance Use Disorder Counselor (1.0 FTE)
Duluth, MN
Essentia Health
Responsible for performing chemical dependency evaluations, participating in contributing to interdisciplinary treatment and discharge plans and providing individual and group chemical dependency counseling services. The chemical dependency...
-
Spiritual Counselor, Hospice; Per Diem
Worcester, MA
UMass Memorial Medical Center
The primary responsibility of the Spiritual Counselor is to respond to referrals pertaining to the interfaith spiritual needs of hospice patients, their families and caregivers, and hospice staff. The Spiritual Counselor works as a member of the...
-
Counselor Inpatient Psych Unit Baystate Wing Hospital
Springfield, MO
Baystate Medical Center
Full / Part Time: Per Diem Location: Palmer, Massachusetts Regular/Temporary: Regular As a Counselor in the Inpatient Parker Psych Unit at Baystate Wing Hospital, your essential functions inlcude: Performs a wide range of functions related...
-
IGM Genetic Technologist I
Columbus, OH
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Full Time, Benefit Eligible Genetic Technologist I: is responsible for performance of routine and complex laboratory analyses, quality control, operational improvement, and preventative maintenance within the Institute for Genomic Medicine....
-
IGM Genetic Technologist I
Columbus, OH
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Full Time, Benefit Eligible Genetic Technologist I: is responsible for performance of routine and complex laboratory analyses, quality control, operational improvement, and preventative maintenance within the Institute for Genomic Medicine....