Genetic Counsellor

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's hospital is seeking a Registered Genetic Counsellor to join their multidisciplinary team. This role involves providing expert genetic counselling for patients across cancer, rare disease, and prenatal genetics. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and relevant qualifications. The position offers competitive pay between £56,276 and £63,176 annually and includes opportunities for professional development and innovation in genetic healthcare, within a supportive environment.

Benefits

Access to structured CPD

Opportunities for mentorship and conferences

Supportive and collaborative team culture

Qualifications

• Registered Genetic Counsellor with AHCS or equivalent.
• Experience in rare disease and/or prenatal genetics.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide genetic counselling for individuals and families.
• Support patients through decision-making processes.
• Contribute to service development and education initiatives.

Skills

Strong communication

Empathetic counselling skills

Ability to work independently

Excellent organisational skills

Team collaboration

Education

First degree in relevant subject

MSc in Genetic Counselling

Completion of STP Clinical Scientist training

Job description

Go back Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Genetic Counsellor

The closing date is 18 December 2025

The North East Thames Regional Genetics Service is seeking a Registered Genetic Counsellor to join our dynamic multidisciplinary team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the delivery of high-quality genetic counselling for patients and families across the NE Thames region.

About the Role

You will:

• Provide expert genetic counselling for individuals and families referred to the service, across cancer, rare disease and prenatal genetics, delivered through virtual clinics or face-to-face appointments across the region. The focus of this role will be rare-disease and prenatal genetics.
• Support patients through complex decision-making processes, including diagnostic testing, predictive testing, carrier screening, and reproductive planning.
• Work closely with the wider genetic counselling team, clinical geneticists, administrative personnel, laboratory scientists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure integrated patient care.
• Contribute to service development, audit, and education initiatives within the department.
• Actively participate in multidisciplinary meetings and regional collaborations.

Main duties of the job

About You

For appointment at Band 7 you should be a registered GC with the Academy for Healthcare Science, Health and Care Professionals Council or recognised overseas registration body with a reciprocity agreement in place with GC Registration Advisory Board.

• Strong communication and empathetic counselling skills.
• Experience / interest in rare disease and/or prenatal genetics is desirable.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced clinical environment and to promote an innovative and progressive attitude to the continual improvement of the genetics service.

Our Population

We serve 5.5 million people, one of the UK's most diverse populations spanning a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This diversity brings unique challenges and opportunities for genomic healthcare. We value professionals who can adapt and promote inclusive practice.

What We Offer

• Professional Development: Access to structured CPD, mentorship and opportunities to attend a wide range of conferences.
• Innovation & Research: Opportunities to recruit families to research and to contribute to service development initiatives.
• Education & Teaching: Involvement in training healthcare professionals and students with links to academic institutions.
• Supportive Environment: A supportive and collaborative team culture that values wellbeing and diversity.
• Hybrid Working: We have hybrid working arrangements agreed with the team.

About us

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged.

We welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Person Specification

Essential qualifications and experience:

• First degree in relevant subject and MSc in Genetic Counselling OR Graduate Nurse or Midwife with two years post-registration experience plus counselling skills training of at least 120 hours and an accredited genetics science course of at least 30 hours OR Completion of STP Clinical Scientist (Genomic Counsellor) training.
• Registered Genetic Counsellor with AHCS: if not AHCS Registered, appointment on band 6 is possible with the expectation that Registration is obtained within 3 years of appointment. OR Registered Genetic Counsellor (clinical scientist) with the HCPC OR Registered with an overseas body which has a reciprocity agreement in place with the GCRAB / AHCS and be willing to commit to register with the AHCS within 1-2 years of appointment.

Desirable:

• Approved GCRAB Sign Off Mentor.
• Significant independent experience in genetic counselling.

Experience/Knowledge

• Evidence of continued professional development and review of current practice.
• Working with people who are distressed.
• Understanding of professional and current issues related to genetics, the NHS, and relevant fields.
• Familiarity with databases, ICT and word processing.
• Experience of dealing with families with genetic disorders.
• Knowledge and awareness of safeguarding procedures.

Skills/Abilities

• Ability to work autonomously and manage an independent caseload.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills.
• Self-discipline and good time management to support periods of lone working.
• Obtain or maintain registration with AHCS / HCPC within agreed time frames.
• Ability and willing to travel to clinics across North and East London and Essex.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Great Ormond Street

London

WC1N 3JH

£56,276 to £63,176 a year Inclusive per annum