Genetic Counselors
Genetic Counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions like genetic disorders and birth defects. They provide information to healthcare providers or individuals and families linked with the risk of inherited conditions. They offer guidance and suggestions in decision-making and coping methods for those at risk. Also, genetic counselor jobs include conducting research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.
Genetic counselor jobs majorly consist of Interpreting laboratory results and communicating findings to patients or physicians. They are required to discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits, and limitations with patients and families to help them in making informed decisions. Analyzing genetic information for specific disorders or syndromes and then providing counseling to them is the responsibility of genetic counselor jobs.
The required knowledge of biology, psychology, medicine & dentistry, therapy & counselling alongside the English language are the steps that help to answer the question of How to become a genetic counselor? Apart from these, genetic counselors jobs need essential skills like reading comprehension, active listening & learning, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving. The average genetic counselor salary is quite decent as compared to other counselling jobs.
To have a successful career as a genetic counselor jobs, you need to have integrity, attention to detail, concern for others, self-control, and a cooperative attitude. Apart from knowledge of subjects, technical skills will be needed for genetic counselor jobs. These technical skills will comprise Database use interface, medical software, presentation software, spreadsheet software, analytical or scientific software.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- B.Sc. Medicine
- MBBS Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
- M.D. Bio-Physics
- M.Sc. Genetic Counseling
Tasks
- Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
- Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.
- Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
- Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.
- Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
- Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.
- Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
- Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
- Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.
Progression Routes
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