Genetics Coordinator

The Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff Health and Well‑being Strategy

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Opportunity to make an impact

Job summary

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, Ontario, is seeking a Molecular Laboratory Coordinator/Genetic Counsellor to join the Genome Diagnostics Division. You will coordinate testing, liaise with clients and lab staff, and provide genetic counselling on a limited basis.

Join a leading paediatric genome diagnostics team using next-generation sequencing and advanced informatics. The role blends education, research and patient care in a collaborative hospital setting.

Qualifications

• Master's in Genetic Counselling with certification by (or eligibility for) the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC) and/or the American Board of Genetic Counselling (ABGC).
• Professional knowledge of the rapidly changing principles and practice of medical, clinical and molecular genetics.
• Superior critical thinking, organizational, detail focused, time management, decision‑making, teamwork, teaching and continuous learning skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Effective oral and written presentation and communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment and actions in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion objectives

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary liaison for laboratory users regarding molecular genetic testing.
• Coordinate laboratory office processes related to test intake and reporting, and liaison with laboratory users.
• Participate in education of laboratory users on selection and significance of laboratory results.
• Participate in lab activities for quality assurance programs, and maintain appropriate laboratory standards.
• Assist in provision of genetic assessment and counselling on a limited basis.
• Function as a community resource by liaising with health care providers as needed and striving to improve the genetic health of individual populations through discovery, application and communication of genetic knowledge.
• Participate in teaching/supervisory opportunities in the University of Toronto/SickKids MSc Program in Genetic Counselling
• Opportunity to aid in a genetics clinic as a clinical genetic counsellor on a limited basis

Skills

Communication skills

Independent worker

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Teaching ability

Education

Master's in Genetic Counselling

Tools

Laboratory information systems

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.

The Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine (DPLM) at SickKids is a leading, world-class facility working towards reducing the impact of childhood illness by providing diagnostic information that allows for early selection of best treatment options. DPLM is a valuable and integral part of the SickKids team, generating original research and providing timely, specialized diagnostic services for health care providers in Canada and around the world. The department comprises of five divisions: Clinical Biochemistry, Genome Diagnostics, Haematopathology, Microbiology, and Pathology. All DPLM laboratories are accredited by Accreditation Canada Diagnostics.

The Division of Genome Diagnostics (Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics and Microarray, Clinical Fibroblast Service) specializes in advanced genetic testing for rare disorders and cancers affecting the paediatric population. Genome Diagnostics is also the first lab to establish a clinical genome-wide sequencing service in Canada, following the culmination of a successful pilot project that enabled testing for eligible paediatric and adult patients in Ontario.

As a valued member of a large, collaborative team comprising 100 laboratory and technical staff, you will play a key role in our complex testing pathway, which utilize the latest technology in next‑generation sequencing and informatics, karyotype imaging and analysis, and automated sample preparation. This is a dynamic role in a rapidly advancing field, with diverse learning and growth opportunities beyond routine testing, such as test development, case review participation, and teaching.

The Genome Diagnostic Division at the Hospital for Sick Children is currently seeking a Molecular Laboratory Coordinator/Genetic Counsellor to become an integral member of our team dedicated to fostering an environment promoting excellence and innovation in patient care, research and education. Our molecular laboratory is the largest in the country serving over 15 million people. We currently offer testing for over 50 genetic conditions using a variety of molecular diagnostic technologies including next‑generation sequencing.

In this position you will be a key member of the laboratory team as a primary source for communication between clients (referring physicians or genetic counsellors) and laboratory staff. You will coordinate and track testing, inform on reported results, act as a client liaison and serve as an educator and resource for in‑house staff, clients, other health care professionals and the general public. You will also be expected to keep abreast of new developments in the area of molecular diagnostics and may participate in translational research projects related to molecular diagnostics.

Here's What You'll Get To Do

• Serve as primary liaison for laboratory users regarding molecular genetic testing.
• Coordinate laboratory office processes related to test intake and reporting, and liason with laboratory users.
• Participate in education of laboratory users on selection and significance of laboratory results.
• Participate in lab activities for quality assurance programs, and maintain appropriate laboratory standards.
• Assist in provision of genetic assessment and counselling on a limited basis.
• Function as a community resource by liaising with health care providers as needed and striving to improve the genetic health of individual populations through discovery, application and communication of genetic knowledge.
• Participate in teaching/supervisory opportunities in the University of Toronto/SickKids MSc Program in Genetic Counselling
• Opportunity to aid in a genetics clinic as a clinical genetic counsellor on a limited basis

Here's What You'll Need

• A Master's of Science in Genetic Counselling, with certification by (or eligibility for) the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC) and/or the American Board of Genetic Counselling (ABGC).
• Professional knowledge of the rapidly changing principles and practice of medical, clinical and molecular genetics.
• Superior critical thinking, organizational, detail focused, time management, decision‑making, teamwork, teaching and continuous learning skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Effective oral and written presentation and communication skills.
• Highly developed computer skills and/or the ability to learn new computer programs.
• Demonstrated commitment and actions in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion objectives

Here's What You'll Love

• 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

• Temporary contract
• 37.5 hours/week

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.

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