Summary
Position Summary: The Cancer Genetics Counselor can help an individual determine whether or not they have inherited an increased risk for cancer. The genetics counselor conducts a full family history intake at every session, orders genetic testing, provides a risk assessment, and provides extensive counseling to the high risk patient and their families. The Genetics Counselor works in conjunction with the Clinical Research Team and is a member of the Cancer Institute Cancer Committee.
Essential Functions:
- Patient Care - As an integral member of the Healthcare Team, conducts a full family history of the patient and provides genetic counseling.
- Tasks: Obtain a full family history of the patient at every session. Conducts intake screening to obtain medical history and family pedigree evaluation including genetic abnormalities in immediate family, family history of cancer, and genetic diseases.
- Patient Education/Counseling - Provide education and counseling to the patient about genetic testing.
- Tasks: Assist in determining if genetic testing is the right decision for the patient. Assist the patient with navigating through various choices, as a result of the genetic testing. Provide emotional support to individuals and their families. Coordinate care among numerous specialties for the support and treatment of the patient. Provide detailed summary to referring providers regarding personal and family history of cancer, explanations of genetics basics and disorders, recommendations for medical management or future testing, and a summary of relevant counseling sessions.
- Customer Service - Ensures that patients/customers needs are met by providing care or service dependably and consistently.
- Tasks: Demonstrates empathy and understanding patient/customer concerns by listening carefully and responding appropriately. Displays a positive image in all encounters with patient/customer. Introduces onself and explains role in the service being provided for the customer. Willingly provides whatever it takes to ensure customer comfort and satisfaction. Ensure customer's right to privacy and confidentiality by creating and maintaining a secure and trusting environment. Exceeds patient/customer needs by anticipating, identifying, and responding to such needs promptly and in a caring and courteous manner. Recognizes everyone, including patients, visitors and co-workers as customers and treats them with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
- Data Management - Maintains key and vital statistics with regard to genetics program.
- Tasks: Maintains genetic counseling program files and records including patient, administrative, etc. Prepares statistical reports for Cancer Institute Administration to include volume indicators such as number of interviews, number of physician referrals, and number of procedures scheduled, etc.
- Genetic Testing/Clinical Research - Provides clinical expertise in determining which test is best suited for the patient's history/condition. Participating in a team of clinical researchers.
- Tasks: Prepares laboratory specimens for internal and external processing in conjunction with prescribed Hospital Guidelines. Adheres to all Hospital infection control and safety policies. Provide the clinical research team a valuable, patient-centered perspective and expertise, while furthering the advances in the care of individuals affected by genetic conditions.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Master's of Science Degree in Genetics or Genetic Counseling
- American Board of Medical Genetics - Genetic Counseling
Additional Information
As one of the largest health care providers in Maryland, with 13,000 team members, We strive to
CARE BRAVELY for over 1 million patients annually. LifeBridge Health includes Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Northwest Hospital, Carroll Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital and Grace Medical Center, as well as our Community Physician Enterprise, Center for Hope, Practice Dynamics, and business partners: LifeBridge Health & Fitness, ExpressCare and HomeCare of Maryland.