Genetic Counselor

Psychology&Social Science

0.9 FTE, 8 Hour Day Shift - 6 Month Fixed Term

At Stanford Children's Health, we know world-renowned care begins with world-class caring. That's why we combine advanced technologies and breakthrough discoveries with family-centered care. It's why we provide our caregivers with continuing education and state-of-the-art facilities, like the newly remodeled Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. And it's why we need caring, committed people on our team - like you. Join us on our mission to heal humanity, one child and family at a time.

Job Summary

This paragraph summarizes the general nature, level and purpose of the job.

Genetic Counselors provide professional genetic counseling, education, and emotional support to patients and/or families, particularly those who have a familial history of birth defects or genetic disorders, or who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions to help them understand and adapt to the medical, psychosocial, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. Genetic Counselors are responsible for analyzing and interpreting family medical histories and genetic test results to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence; facilitating the understanding of a genetic diagnosis; providing education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources, and research; making referrals for social services for families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders, or who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions; and counseling to promote informed choices and adaptation to the risk or condition. Genetic Counselors also provide teaching and consultative services to other professionals and health care students.

Essential Functions

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings.

Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the hospital's policies and procedures, including its Service Standards and its Code of Conduct.

• Assists families to understand alternatives for dealing with risk of genetic disorders, choose the course of action they deem appropriate and act in accordance with that decision, and make the best possible adjustment to the disorder in an affected family member and/or to the risk of recurrence of that disorder.
• Counsels patients regarding the significance of genetic disorders, inheritance patterns, recurrence risks for birth defects and genetic disorders, and management of a given diagnosis. Conveys complex genetic information, test results, and address the emotional impact of such information to patients and families, both in person and by telephone, using understandable terminology and knowledge of genetic and psychosocial principles.
• Determines current knowledge regarding specific diagnoses, including modalities of testing, treatment options, and genetic basis. Recommends specialized genetic testing.
• Educates patients regarding their risks/options; explains disease signs and symptoms, probability of recurrence, prognosis, diagnostic methods/procedures, alternate courses of action and available options.
• Ensures that patients and/or family understand implications, risks and benefits of genetic testing, should testing be indicated. Coordinates genetic testing, interprets the results, and communicates this information to the patient and referring clinician.
• Maintains case documentation and prepares detailed genetic counseling summary letters for referring clinicians.
• Makes appropriate referrals to social service agencies, parent support groups, and other specialists.
• Obtains detailed family and pregnancy histories to identify potential risk factors and inheritance patterns; obtains and analyzes all pertinent medical records; reviews medical genetics literature to develop a clinically appropriate counseling plan; and obtains and documents informed consent for procedures and tests.
• Provides specialty consultation and education to other health care professionals, health sciences students, and others staff on genetic diseases, birth defects, prenatal diagnosis and genetic screening. Responds to genetic inquiries from other hospital departments and clinics.
• Reviews referrals and prioritizes cases for genetic counseling with an individual or couple concerning their risk of having a baby born with a birth defect or genetic disease based on factors such as maternal age, family history, stage of pregnancy and likelihood of genetic disorder recurrence.
• Works with health care team in development and implementation of the care plan. Minimum Qualifications Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying. Education: Master's degree in a work-related field/discipline from an accredited college or university. License/Certification: CGCL - Valid California license as a Genetic Counselor. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to perform successfully the essential functions of the job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education, or licensure/certification.
• Ability to develop a clinically appropriate genetic counseling plan.
• Ability to ensure that all recommended testing ordered is completed and that patients have been appropriately informed of the results.
• Ability to present relevant genetic information to individuals and families from diverse cultural backgrounds in an informed, compassionate manner and to help families obtain the medical and social services they may need.
• Ability to provide genetic, medical, and technical information in a comprehensive, understandable, nondirective manner to patients and families.
• Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English effectively at a level appropriate for the safe and effective performance of the job.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply genetic counseling methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of genetic diseases and disorders, birth defects, risks/options, and prenatal diagnosis screening tools. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions The Physical Requirements and Working Conditions in which the job is typically performed are available from the Occupational Health Department. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Pay Range

Compensation is based on the level and requirements of the role.

Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, location, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Typically, new team members join at the minimum to mid salary range.

Minimum to Midpoint Range (1.0 FTE): $116,168.00 to $137,228.00

Equal Opportunity Employer

L ucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford 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, LPCH does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, 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, and where applicable, in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. REQNUMBER: A