Genetic Counselor, Cancer Center
Pay as listed: $57.53-$76.22/hr · Palo Alto, California · pays above the median of 49 Counselor listings (86th percentile).
Listed compensation
$57.53-$76.22/hr
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
If you're ready to be part of our legacy of hope and innovation, we encourage you to take the first step and explore our current job openings. Your best is waiting to be discovered.
Day - 08 Hour (United States of America)
This position is for a cancer genetic counseling position at the new Sutter Medicine Stanford Healthcare Hospital in Oakland, California.
The genetic counselor will work in -person in Oakland, supported by a genetic counselor assistant.
This position will require a several month training at Stanford Palo Alto.
This is a Stanford Health Care job.
A Brief Overview
The Genetic Counselor Level I is an entry level position focused on acquiring job skills and knowledge of policies and procedures. A GC I develops clinical judgement within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action. Performs work in assigned area(s) to develop expertise needed to be fully functional in an assigned specialty area/clinic.
Locations
Stanford Health Care
What You Will Do
Collecting appropriate family history information, reviewing patient medical records, and records of key affected individuals in the family, as needed
Educating patients about hereditary conditions, inheritance patterns, genetic contributions to disease, recurrence risks in the patient and family members, and any guidelines specific to the genetic condition
Discussing genetic testing options and potential outcomes; Obtaining informed consent
Conveying information and results to patients in a level appropriate to the patient’s understanding and addressing the emotional impact of the information to facilitate patient processing
Identifying potential genetic risks to family members and recommending genetic counseling and testing in the family
Maintaining case documentation and clinical notes
Providing Appropriate Referrals to Specialty Services
Working with the healthcare team to deliver timely genetic counseling and testing to patients; contributing to the development of a patient’s care plan
Pursuing professional growth by participating in educational programs, reviewing literature, and attending local, regional and national conferences.
Participating in process improvement projects
Education Qualifications
Master's degree in genetic counseling from an accredited college or university
Experience Qualifications
0 to 1 years of relevant experience required.
- Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to develop a clinically appropriate genetic counseling plan
- Ability to facilitate genetic testing for patients and communicate results
- Ability to effectively communicate with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds in a compassionate manner.
- Ability to provide genetic, medical and technical information in an understandable and comprehensive way
- Ability to provide appropriate referrals
- Ability to work independently and apply clinical judgement
- Knowledge of genetic conditions and disorders
- Knowledge of and ability to apply genetic counseling methods and techniques
- Knowledge of community support services and funding agencies
- Ability to supervise, advise and train other medical professionals and/or students in the area of expertise
- Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops
Licenses and Certifications
CGCL - CA Genetic Counselor License required.
Physical Demands and Work Conditions
Blood Borne Pathogens
Category II - Tasks that involve NO exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, but employment may require performing unplanned Category I tasks
These Principles Apply to ALL Employees
SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience
Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other.
C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford’s patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery.
You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars, from the patient and family’s perspective:
- Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care
- Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health
- Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination
#LI-BS1
Equal Opportunity Employer Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment.
Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above.
People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.
Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $57.53 - $76.22 per hour
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage.
Key Responsibilities
The genetic counselor will collect family history, educate patients on hereditary conditions, and facilitate genetic testing options. They will also maintain clinical documentation and collaborate with the healthcare team to develop patient care plans.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in genetic counseling from an accredited institution and possess a California Genetic Counselor License. The role requires 0 to 1 years of relevant experience and the ability to work independently in a clinical setting.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Key Skills
Genetics — Counselor Career Context
Of the 50 active Genetics listings this role was benchmarked against, 56% are remote, 26% have no call, 64% require no weekends.
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$139k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $126k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Stanford Health Care holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 72/100, 38 active listings.
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