Genetic Counsellor, Hereditary Cancer - BC Cancer Vancouver

Genetic Counsellor, Hereditary Cancer
BC Cancer
Vancouver, BC

The Genetic Counsellor operationally reports to the Clinical Coordinator, Genetic Counselling and has a matrix reporting to the Practice Lead, Genetic Counselling. Working with direction from Medical Leaders, the Genetic Counsellor participates in a team approach to provide genetic counselling to individual patients and their family members. Additional duties include providing public, professional and academic education and participating in clinical research.

What You’ll Do

• Developing and completing patients’ medical and family history by conducting interviews with patients and their family members.
• Explaining the hereditary cancer pattern in the patient’s family and the cancer risks associated with that pattern.
• Recommending cancer screening based on the family history and standard HCP guidelines.
• Explaining genetic susceptibility testing and the associated potential benefits and harms and schedules genetic testing as appropriate.
• Contacting genetic counselling centres outside of British Columbia to organize genetic counselling and testing for out-of-province family members as required.
• Referring patients to health professionals such as social workers, surgeons and oncologists as necessary.
• Documenting a variety of patient information including personal and family medical history, risk assessments, cancer surveillance strategy and progress reports and outcomes.
• Requesting medical records and tissue blocks from hospitals and physicians as required.
• Participate in the academic training of medical students and the training of residents, fellows and graduate students such as students in the UBC Masters Program in Genetic Counselling on rotation in the Program through methods such as giving lectures, leading small group sessions, teaching counselling skills and supervising patient counselling sessions.
• Contribute to the design, review, maintenance, and evaluation of the HCP database software (Progeny) by performing duties such as identifying additional data fields and standard search criteria.
• Contribute to the development of Program policies and procedures through methods such as reviewing and discussing current research, policies and procedures in place in other HCP programs and providing input for the drafting of policies and procedures for review by the team.

Qualifications

What you bring

• Graduate of an accredited master’s program in Genetic Counselling.
• Minimum of two (2) years of recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Board eligible or Board Certified with the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and/or the American Board of Genetic Counselling.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer contexts found in foundational documents.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of Indigenous-specific racism and broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure.
• Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples.

You Have

• Communicate effectively with patients, families, other professional staff, and the general public.
• Work independently and co-operatively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Accept responsibility, make decisions and teach.
• Operate related equipment including ability to use a variety of word processing and database software.
• Physically carry out the duties of the position.
• Understanding of hereditary cancer syndromes, genetic testing and clinical guidelines.
• Familiarity with design and conduct of quantitative and qualitative research.
• Demonstrated skills in CPR techniques.
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism.

What We Bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer.
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program.

Job type: Temporary, Full-Time (Until May 29, 2026)
Wage: $42.27 - $52.81 per hour.
Location: 750 West Broadway Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1K1
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of work: Monday – Friday; 0730-1530, 0800-1600, 0830-1630, 0900-1700

Requisition Number: 181951E

What We Do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia. BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province.

Attention Current Employees Of PHSA

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.