Genetic Counsellor

The Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP pension plan

Health and dental

Staff Health and Well-being Strategy

Job summary

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto is recruiting a Genetic Counsellor to apply genomic expertise and provide family-centered counselling. You’ll work with clinicians, researchers and health professionals to support patients from around the world.

You will triage newborns, coordinate testing, interpret results, and educate families on risks and options while contributing topublic health newborn screening and teaching opportunities.

Qualifications

• Master of Science in Genetic Counselling required or expected.
• Certification (or eligible) by CBGC and/or ABGC is required.
• Knowledge of rapidly changing medical genetics principles and practice.

Responsibilities

• Triage and manage newborn screen positives with counselling.
• Arrange diagnostic testing to confirm or rule out conditions.
• Provide expert genetic counselling for families with newborn risk.
• Interpret genetic/genomic test results and communicate options.
• Counsel regarding cascade testing and recurrence risks.
• Coordinate with physicians and multidisciplinary teams.
• Support newborn screening initiatives and data management.
• Teach/supervise in university programs and educate clinicians.

Skills

Genetic counselling

Communication skills

Leadership

Collaborative teamwork

Technology proficiency

Education

Master of Science in Genetic Counselling

CBGC/ABGC eligibility

Job description

Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected paediatric healthcare centres in the world. As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education. Our reputation would not have been built - nor could it be maintained - without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day. SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice.

When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world's best in paediatric healthcare.

We are recruiting for a Genetic Counsellor to join our team at SickKids! This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to apply your advanced knowledge of genomics and to provide genetic assessment and counselling for patients/families with a medical history of or at increased risk for genetic disorder(s). In this role, you would work alongside internationally renowned Physicians, Genetic Counsellors, Researchers and other health professionals to provide excellent family-centered care to patients from around the world.

Here's What You'll Get To Do

• Triage and management of newborn screen positive infants including result disclosure and family counselling.
• Arrange appropriate diagnostic testing to rule in/out screen positive condition
• Assess and provide expert genetic/genomic counselling to families with a newborn with positive newborn screening and an increased risk for a genetic condition
• Assess and provide expert genetic/genomic counselling for individuals/families with a known or suspected medical history of a genetic condition
• Provide comprehensive genetic information regarding the diagnosis, etiology, recurrence risk and available testing options for a variety of disorders
• Contribute to the interpretation of genetic and genomic test results.
• Provide genetic counselling regarding genetic test results and options regarding cascade genetic testing.
• Address other genetic risks identified in the patient/family.
• Assess psychosocial issues and structure counselling session(s) accordingly.
• Assist the patient/family in making informed decision consistent with their beliefs, while respecting cultural diversity and ethical issues.
• Liaise with physicians and interdisciplinary teams from multiple subspeciality groups.
• Contribute to newborn screening as a public health initiative, including clinical outcome data management and participating in provincial newborn screening meetings.
• Provide international leadership in genetic counselling services, research and education.
• Function as a resource to other members of the Hospital, other health care providers outside of SickKids and liaising with the public; striving to improve the genetic health of individual populations through discovery, application and communication of genetic knowledge.
• Teaching/supervising opportunities in the University of Toronto/SickKids MSc Program in Genetic Counselling.
• Educate other health care professionals on interpretation of genome-based results both at SickKids and at other institutions

Here's What You'll Need

• A Master of Science in Genetic Counselling.
• Certification (or eligible for) by the Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling (CBGC) and/or the American Board of Genetic Counsellors (ABGC).
• Professional knowledge of the rapidly changing principles and practice of medical, clinical and laboratory genetics.
• Effective oral and written presentation and communication skills, including telephone counseling.
• Superior critical thinking, organizational, time management, decision-making, teaching and continuous learning skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and collaborative teamwork skills.
• Commitment to the provision of evidence-based, family-centred care.
• Highly developed computer skills and/or the ability to learn new computer programs
• Demonstrated commitment and actions in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in genetic counselling, with experience pertaining to pediatric genetics

Here's What You'll Love

• This position is eligible for employee benefits coverage including but not limited to, HOOPP pension plan, health and dental. The full benefits package will be discussed at the time of the offer.
• A focus on employee wellness with our new Staff Health and Well-being Strategy. Self-care helps us support others.
• A hospital that welcomes and focuses on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• The opportunity to make an impact. Regardless of your role or professional interest, you will be making a difference at SickKids and contributing to our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.
• For more on why you'll love working at SickKids, visit our careers site

Employment Type

• Full time, 12-month contract

SickKids is committed to championing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do, fostering an intentionally inclusive and culturally safe environment that reflects the diversity of the patients, families and communities we serve. Learn more about workplace inclusion.

If you require accommodation during the application process, please reach out to our aSKHR team. SickKids can provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and selection process as well as to ensure candidates are able to perform their duties once successfully hired. If you are invited for an interview and require accommodation, please let us know at the time of your invitation to interview. Information received related to access, inclusion or accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Every application is reviewed by a human recruiter and all hiring decisions are made by people. In some cases, AI-assisted tools are used to help review applications based on job-related qualifications.

All positions posted on the SickKids Hospital's Careers Site represent current vacancies, unless otherwise posted in the job description.