Genetics Counselor

UCI Series Concepts

Class Specifications – H.65

Genetic Counselor III – Supervisor (9284)

Genetic Counselor III   (9285)

Genetic Counselor II – Supervisor (9286)

Genetic Counselor II (9287)

Genetic Counselor I (9288)

February 1, 1990

SERIES CONCEPT

Genetic Counselors utilize a professional knowledge of the principles and practices of genetic counseling to educate and counsel individuals, couples, families, and groups to help make optimal adjustment to the potential diagnosis of a genetic disorder or other birth defect; to describe options/services available for diagnosis, management, treatment and prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders and other birth defects; to provide teaching and consultative services to other professionals and health care students; and to perform other related duties as required.

The same professional concepts, principles, and techniques are used by all Genetic Counselors, but the circumstances and the immediate occasions of service differ among University or clinical settings.  Some representative responsibilities are as follows:

• As members of the medical genetics team, the Genetic Counselor participates in the evaluation and consultation relating to the impact on the family of a genetic disorder or birth defect. 
• The Genetic Counselor has the initial contact with families referred for genetic counseling and screens for appropriate referrals to genetics clinic.  The counselor gathers relevant medical records and may meet with the family prior to the clinic appointment to obtain a family medical history and to assess the psychosocial status of the family. 
• Counsels patients and relatives on the ramifications of the disorder, which may include diagnosis, inheritance patterns, range of severity, age of onset, prognosis, management, treatment, carrier testing, reproductive options, prenatal diagnosis
• Provides immediate and ongoing support to patients and/or relatives to assist them in adjusting to the physical/emotional/ psychological burdens associate with the disorder, which may include crisis intervention and grief counseling
• Refers clients to community or private resources for treatment, financial assistance, support, and long-term therapeutic counseling as appropriate.
• Aids and participates in obtaining and documenting informed consent for certain medical procedures such as skin biopsy, prenatal diagnosis, or fetal surgery.

In addition, the Genetic Counselors provide educational services to both professionals and lay persons.  Within the University, this includes postdoctoral trainees, residents, medical students, genetic counseling students, nurses, and other affiliates.  Education of community groups may include high school and college students, parents and individual disorder support groups.

Duties may include program administration and evaluation, grant writing, determination of needs for new services and their implementation as indicated, and development of and/or participation in research projects.  Responsibilities may also include supervision of genetic counseling students, support staff, and/or other genetic counselors.

CLASS CONCEPTS

Genetic Counselor III – Supervisor

Genetic Counselor III           

Under general supervision and in addition to the full range of operational duties, incumbents are assigned responsibility for design, administration, and evaluation of specialized counseling programs; design and conduct ongoing research programs; or serve as the designated experts, consultants, or sources of specialized knowledge within the genetic counseling profession.

Genetic Counselor II – Supervisor  

Genetic Counselor II

Under supervision, incumbents perform the full range of genetic counseling duties.  Incumbents assess the patients’ knowledge, understanding and psychosocial status as it relates to their medical/genetic situation, and counsel accordingly with respect to these issues based on a sound integration of theory and practice.  In addition, incumbents assist in research for publication and/or presentation; provide public and health professional education; and/or assist in the training of genetic counseling students, medical students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows.

This is the operational level in the series, the level of independent professional practice.

Genetic Counselor I

Under close supervision, incumbents perform genetic counseling duties at a beginning level dependent upon their prior experience in a training program.  Incumbents assess the patients’ knowledge, understanding and psychosocial status as it relates to their medical/genetic situation and counsel accordingly with respect to these issues, based on a sound integration of theory and practice.

This is the entry level class in the series.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Genetic Counselor III – Supervisor

Genetic Counselor III           

A master’s degree from a recognized genetic counseling program or an equivalent combination of education and experience; at least three years’ experience in genetic counseling (post-master’s degree), at least one of which should include administration, supervision, or major responsibilities for independent programs; board certification in genetic counseling by the American Board of Medical Genetics; knowledge and skills essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

Genetic Counselor II – Supervisor  

Genetic Counselor II

A master’s degree from a recognized genetic counseling program or an equivalent combination of education and experience; at least one year’s experience in genetic counseling (post-master’s degree); board eligible or board certification in genetic counseling by the American Board of Medical Genetics; knowledge and skills essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

Genetic Counselor I

A master’s degree from a recognized genetic counseling program or an equivalent combination of education and experience; knowledge and skills essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position; board eligible in genetic counseling by the American Board of Medical Genetics.

A 6-month probationary period is allowed to meet the minimum requirements for this position.