Genetic Counsellor, Prenatal Diagnosis Unit

Sinai Health; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a dedicated Genetic Counsellor to join their Prenatal Diagnosis Unit. In this vital role, you will provide education and counselling to patients and families, helping them navigate their health and reproductive choices. You will assess unique medical and psychosocial needs, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and contribute to ongoing program development. This position offers a fantastic opportunity to work in a supportive environment focused on patient-centered care while advancing your career in a dynamic healthcare setting. If you are passionate about genetics and making a difference in people's lives, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Completion of a recognized Masters of Science degree program in Human/Medical Genetics required.
• 1-3 years of clinical experience in genetic counselling preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess medical/genetic needs for counselling and education.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop care plans.
• Conduct clinical research and participate in program development.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Knowledge of human, molecular, cancer and clinical genetics

Counselling skills

Problem solving skills

Ability to develop positive working relationships

Leadership and teamwork skills

Education

Masters of Science degree in Human/Medical Genetics

Tools

POSSUM

LDDB

Softgene

Job description

This is a Temporary Full Time Position for 12 months.

Sinai Health is seeking a Genetic Counsellor to support our Prenatal Diagnosis Unit within our Women's and Infants' Health program.

Reporting to the Manager of Prenatal Diagnosis and Medical Genetics Program, this position will work closely with Mount Sinai Fertility and PDMGP programs. As an integral member of the Prenatal Diagnosis and Medical Genetics Program, you will provide education and counselling to patients and families to enable them to make informed choices about their health, reproductive planning, prenatal testing, and ongoing pregnancy care.

About this team:
The Prenatal Diagnosis Unit and Medical Genetics program is a regional tertiary program that provides counselling and support to families undergoing genetic testing, counselling and planning of care. We care for a large prenatal population, from preconception or preimplantation, providing support for diagnosed anomalies, chromosome abnormalities, positive prenatal and postnatal screening, follow up for babies diagnosed with antenally diagnosed abnormalities, counselling for future pregnancies, including ethnic related genetic conditions and other populations at risk. We have a strong academic and research focus, being the clinical placement for University of Toronto MSc program, residents in Pediatrics, Medical Genetics, Obstetrics and Gynecology and fellows from the perinatology training program, Maternal Fetal Medicine fellowships and trainees, and the CCMG program in Medical Genetics and Cytogenetics/molecular Genetics, international observers, clinicians and scientists. We also work with many community partners, hospitals and programs as a collaborative approach in supporting patients and families through their journey.

In this role you will:

1. Assess unique medical/genetic and psychosocial needs of individual families for the purpose of providing appropriate counselling, education and testing options.
2. Review with patients and families all options available to them including diagnostic testing, treatment, and/or termination of pregnancy.
3. Collaborate with clinical geneticist(s), patients, families and other members of the interdisciplinary team to develop individualized plans of care.
4. Communicate with patients and families to evaluate the quality of care provided.
5. Provide clinical mentoring to genetic counselling, medical and other health professional students.
6. Conduct and/or participate in clinical research and dissemination of findings.
7. Contribute to ongoing program development and improvement.
8. Participate in a variety of department and hospital teams and committees.
9. Participate in personal professional development activities. You will join a team of genetic counsellors, medical geneticists, nurses and secretarial staff.

Job Requirements

Job Requirements:

Mandatory

• Completion of a recognized Masters of Science degree program in Human/Medical Genetics (Genetic Counselling).
• Minimum of 1-3 years of clinical experience.

Preferred

• Previous experience working as a Genetic Counsellor.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive knowledge of human, molecular, cancer and clinical, obstetric, neonatal, fertility genetics.
• Familiarity with POSSUM, and LDDB, Softgene an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to practice in accordance with the principles of patient & family centred care.
• Well developed counselling skills including the ability to support families through perinatal loss.
• Demonstrated ability to develop positive working relationships with a variety of health team members.
• Demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills.
• Well developed problem solving skills and ability to manage cases involving complex decisions.
• Demonstrated satisfactory work performance and attendance history.

If this sounds like you and you feel ready to advance your career within health care, apply now and let us know why you would be a great addition to our team.