Genetic Counselor

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Time Type

Full time

Department: Specialties

All Locations

17 Main Street – WCHC

Position Summary

Individuals in this position will work in the Center for Genetics & Prevention program providing genetic counseling services to adult patients and families under the leadership of the Clinical Director, Disease Center Leader and Associate Director of Genetic Counseling.

While each genetic counselor may develop certain areas of expertise, all genetic counselors are cross-trained to be able to see the full range of hereditary cancer conditions, including hereditary breast and ovarian syndrome, hereditary GI cancers, sarcoma, GU cancers including prostate and renal, hematologic malignancies, brain tumors, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, SDHX associated syndromes, VHL and others. Participation in numerous research initiatives is also possible.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Genetic Counselor I

Provide genetic counseling for patients in the Center for Cancer Genetics & Prevention.

Provide consultation services for patients in other Dana-Farber disease centers and clinics, including our Satellite location at South Shore

Review medical records documentation of cancer and other diagnoses to facilitate evaluation and assessment of family histories

• Evaluate and select most appropriate genetic testing options and optimal laboratory
• Coordinate collection of blood and tissue samples for genetic analysis
• Complete required documentation in electronic medical record

Assists with Variant Interpretation for Clinical Cases

Communicate with patients, other genetic counselors and health care professionals to review family histories and determine eligibility for genetic testing and research protocols

Aid in the professional development of genetic counseling interns, medical students and other health care providers

Genetic Counselor II

In addition to the above, this position will require the individual to undertake an increasingly independent role. The individual will also be expected to become more deeply involved in one or more key facets of the profession including supervision, training, education and research. Individuals at this level will be expected to participate in many of the following:

Provide genetic counseling services for satellite clinics as part of Dana-Farber’s community outreach programs or actively participate in the development and expansion of existing Dana-Farber clinics/consult programs

Educate oncology and community health care providers about cancer genetics, hereditary cancer syndromes and appropriate referrals

Facilitate patient support groups, organize patient educational seminars and conferences and create patient-oriented materials regarding cancer genetics

• Teach genetics classes for genetic counseling students and medical students
• Clinically supervise genetic counseling interns, medical students and genetics fellows
• Communicate with media and outside organizations regarding cancer genetics, hereditary cancer syndromes and genetic counseling services
• Aid in clinical research studies on hereditary cancer syndromes and/or cancer prevention

Submit data for abstracts or presentation at major genetics and/or oncology meetings and/or submit manuscripts for publication

Genetic Counselor III

In addition to the above, this position will require the individual to undertake an increasingly independent role. The individual will also be expected to become more deeply involved in one or more key facets of the profession including supervision, training, education and research. Individuals at this level will be expected to participate in many of the following:

• Lead and assist in clinical research studies on hereditary cancer syndromes and/or cancer prevention
• Demonstrate proficiency and autonomy in managing complex, cross disease center projects including analysis and interpretation of high-level results
• Participate in the Institute’s initiative on genomic analysis for patients as it applies to hereditary cancer
• Serve as a mentor and guide for other staff through experience in counseling for specific diseases and encouraging professional growth
• Aid in the training of genetic counselors and other staff in variant analysis and interpretation
• Coordinate internal education of genetic counselors and other staff in the CGP through patient reviews, journal clubs and lectures as necessary
• Initiate, delegate and oversee clinical research projects with an advanced level of complexity

Lead Genetic Counselor

In addition to the above, this position will require development and management of a specific specialty area with GEP. Individuals will be expected to provide innovative contributions that lead to program growth and satisfaction.

• Provide leadership in a specific broad specialty area, such as Pediatric Oncology, and Satellites
• Communicate directly with the GEP Leadership team at monthly meetings
• Provide point of contact to manage and enhance relationships related to specialty program
• Problem solve and innovate solutions to changing circumstances as needed
• Recruit and manage members of the genetic counseling team for specialty roles

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Genetic Counselor I:
• Ability to provide genetic counseling through collection of family history, assessment and evaluation of histories, knowledge of genetics and appropriate testing, and psychosocial support
• Basic knowledge of hereditary cancer syndromes, cancer genetics and cancer risk assessment tools
• Some experience in cancer genetic counseling, medical research and genetic technologies
• Ability to tailor, translate and communicate complex information in a simple, relevant way for a broad range of audiences (in both oral and written format)
• Knowledge of pedigree standards and specialized pedigree-drawing software
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with other members of the Center for Cancer Genetics & Prevention team
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional awareness
• Research skills, especially the ability to review and synthesize relevant medical literature

Genetic Counselor II

• This position will require more advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities than that of Genetic Counselor I:
• Ability to provide genetic counseling through collection of family history, assessment and evaluation of histories, knowledge of genetics and appropriate testing, and psychosocial support
• Expert knowledge of the major hereditary cancer syndromes, cancer genetics and cancer risk assessment tools
• Some knowledge of whole genome analysis and personalized genomic medicine
• Ability to tailor, translate and communicate complex information in a simple, relevant way for a broad range of audiences (in both oral and written format)
• Knowledge of pedigree standards and specialized pedigree-drawing software
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with other members of the Center for Cancer Genetics & Prevention team
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional awareness
• Research skills, especially the ability to review and synthesize relevant medical literature
• A minimum of 3 years of in-depth experience in cancer genetic counseling, medical research and genetic technologies
• Advanced presentation skills and teaching abilities

Genetic Counselor III

This position will require more advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities than that of Genetic Counselor II:

Ability to provide genetic counseling through collection of family history, assessment and evaluation of histories, knowledge of genetics and appropriate testing, and psychosocial support

Expert knowledge of both the major hereditary cancer syndromes and rare syndromes, cancer genetics and cancer risk assessment tools

• Some knowledge of whole genome analysis and personalized genomic medicine
• Ability to tailor, translate and communicate complex information in a simple, relevant way for a broad range of audiences (in both oral and written format)
• Knowledge of pedigree standards and specialized pedigree-drawing software
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with other members of the Center for Cancer Genetics & Prevention team
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional awareness
• Research skills, especially the ability to review and synthesize relevant medical literature
• A minimum of 6 years of in-depth experience in cancer genetic counseling, medical research and genetic technologies
• Advanced presentation skills and teaching abilities
• Leadership skills

Lead Genetic Counselor

• This position will require more advanced knowledge, leadership skills, and ability to manage, adapt and innovate than that of Genetic Counselor III:
• Ability to innovate growth and program restructuring as needed
• Excellent communicator among multidisciplinary faculty and staff across the Institute
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks for large initiatives
• Identify opportunities for collaboration with internal and external providers and organizations
• Manage the specialty program to support development, initiation and progression of GEP initiatives
• SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: (include number of direct reports)

Genetic Counselor I

Aiding in