Genetic Counselor 2

Penn Medicine; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn Medicine is seeking a Genetic Counselor 2 in the Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania (CPUP) – Neurology unit at 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia. This full-time position combines clinical genetic counseling with research duties in ALS/FTD centers, including recruitment, consent, and data management.

The role emphasizes collaboration across clinical and research teams, with approximately 80% research effort and 20% clinical duties, contributing to educational and scholarly

Qualifications

• Masters degree in Genetic Counseling (ACGC accredited).
• 2+ years of experience as a genetic counselor.
• Strong knowledge of genetic testing and risk communication.
• Experience with research coordination and IRB processes.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and team collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for cases by identifying relevant medical records and ensuring they are obtained.
• Collect and evaluate patient medical history; construct a pedigree with proper nomenclature.
• Perform comprehensive genetic risk assessment and explain testing options.
• Interpret genetic test results and communicate findings to patients and clinicians.
• Provide genetic counseling and psychosocial support to patients and families.
• Document encounters; write notes and letters; manage patient communications.
• Support clinical research activities and participate in IRB protocol development where needed.

Skills

Genetic counseling

Research coordination

Pedigree construction

IRB protocol knowledge

Patient communication

Education

Master's in Genetic Counseling

ACGC accredited program

Job description

Description

Penn Medicine is dedicated to our tripartite mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in the field of medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaboration with top clinical, technical and business professionals across all disciplines.

Today at Penn Medicine, someone will make a breakthrough. Someone will heal a heart, deliver hopeful news, and give comfort and reassurance. Our employees shape our future each day. Are you living your life's work?

Entity: Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania (CPUP)

Department: Neurology

Location: 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA

Hours: Full-Time

The Genetic Counselor 2 will provide a dual role that includes:

(1) Provision of genetic counseling services and care coordination to patients in the Penn Comprehensive Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Center and

(2) Support of observational and clinical trial research activities within the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center.

In addition to the clinical responsibilities outlined in the primary job description, the genetic counselor will have the following research accountabilities:

• Manage recruitment and retention in observational and trial research activities.
• Provide research support including prospective collection and retrospective review of pedigrees to support ongoing genetic research activities and management of consortium research activities.
• Provide predictive and symptomatic genetic counseling and testing as part of research protocols.
• Obtain participant consent.
• Contribute to writing of IRB protocols.
• Provide centralized support for national consortium research including review and management of a distributed team of GCs.

In addition to the skills and abilities outlined in the primary job description, the genetic counselor should have:

• Experience and interest in contributing to clinical trial or observational research activities.
• The dual role will have approximately 80% research effort, and 20% clinical effort

Responsibilities

• Prepare for cases by identifying relevant medical records and ensuring that these are obtained
• Collect and evaluate patient medical history, construct a pedigree using appropriate nomenclature
• Perform comprehensive genetic risk assessment, explain natural history of diagnosis, explain relevant genetic factors, explain available testing and facilitate testing
• Interpret genetic test results and communicate to patients and other healthcare professionals
• Perform psychosocial assessment and provide counseling
• Document clinical encounters. Write clinic notes, physician letters, patient letters and other communications
• Recognize key clinical factors that suggest genetic risk beyond chief complaint
• Recognize emerging technologies and advances that may affect clinical care
• Identify patient education documents and forms to enhance communication effectiveness with patients
• Provides cross coverage within specialty as needed
• Mentorship: Model team qualities within the clinic. Serves as a clinical resource and mentor for other GCs and staff within the unit
• Quality improvement: Make suggestions for improvement within the clinic for process improvement
• Genetic counselors are encouraged and expected to participate in a diverse set of professional activities related to clinical supervision, research and/or leadership.
• Demonstrate an interest in growth through participation in professional activities.
• Some examples may include:
• Provides educational lectures to advance understanding of genetics at Penn
• Facilitate patient support groups, organize patient education seminars and conferences, and create patient materials
• Participation in a genetics related outreach activity o If research focused position, obtains patient consent for research study, contributes to writing of IRB protocol
• Participates in data collection
• Contributes towards manuscript development
• Submit abstracts or give presentations at local/regional meetings

Credentials

• Genetic Counselor - License (Required)
• PA State LicensureApplication for Genetic Counseling license must be completed within 30 days of start date as required by the state in which patients will be seen. Barring any circumstances outside of the incumbents control the license must be in place by completion of the 180 day probationary period. Failure to obtain license by the end of the 180-day introductory period will result in termination

Education or Equivalent Experience

• Masters Degree (Required)- ACGC accredited genetic counseling training program
• 2+ years work experience as a genetic counselor. Demonstrated competency as a skilled care provider able to manage complex cases with independence and with evidence of strong knowledge in at least one area of clinical practice (Required)

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Live Your Life's Work

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.