Genetic Counselor | Oncology

UPMC; Colonial Park (PA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Harrisburg, PA seeks a dedicated Genetic Counselor to join our Cancer Center team and provide expert counseling and risk assessment for genetic conditions to patients and their families.

This role involves about 20% travel, a flexible hybrid work arrangement with some work-from-home opportunities, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to support patients throughout their care.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and update the genetic databases.
• Implement treatment plan and make the appropriate referrals to medical, nursing, social work, and psychological services.
• Assist genetic laboratory services with interpretation and communication of results to patients and physicians.
• Responsible for following the mandatory reporting procedures for any incident or serious event that did affect or potentially could have affected the clinical care of any patient.
• Provide comprehensive genetic counseling at all designated sites and to patients and families referred for genetic services following the competencies established by the ABGC.
• Prepare and conduct lectures/seminars on human genetics and genetic counseling for lay groups, students, and health professionals; provide clinical supervision for residents and fellows rotating through genetics.
• Assist in the development and implementation of ongoing clinical investigations in genetics by writing and editing research manuscripts and grants; recruit and enroll patients into ongoing studies.
• Act as mentor to genetic counseling graduate students from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.
• Responsible for maintenance of QA for the clinical genetic counseling services.
• Communicate with patients and physicians by phone and/or in writing regarding patient care/testing, which includes interpretation of test results.
• Serve as a resource for various health care professionals regarding genetic testing, genetically based questions, teratogens, and genetic medical information.
• Coordinate genetic testing and insurance coverage for genetic testing of genetics patients.

Job description

Join Our Team as a Genetic Counselor!

Are you passionate about genetics and eager to make a difference in patients’ lives? We are seeking a dedicated Genetic Counselor to join our Cancer Center team and provide expert counseling and risk assessment for genetic conditions to patients and their families in Harrisburg, PA.

This position requires approximately 20% travel and offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement, including some work-from-home opportunities.

Our patient-focused counselors work as part of a multidisciplinary cancer program, serving central Pennsylvania. Our department works closely with Hillman Cancer Center providers, staff, and patients. With robust administrative support, a strong referral base, and work life balance, faculty have the ability to shape both their professional and personal goals.

UPMC Hillman is one of only 57 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States, one of just three in Pennsylvania, and the only one in western Pennsylvania. The NCI — our nation’s authority on cancer — extends Comprehensive Cancer Center designation to an elite group of centers that demonstrate excellence in research, patient care, education, and community outreach. In the 2020 renewal, UPMC Hillman earned an exceptional rating — the highest possible.

If you are a compassionate and knowledgeable genetic counselor ready to take on a rewarding role at the Cancer Center, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities:

• Operate, maintain, and update the genetic databases.
• Implement treatment plan and make the appropriate referrals to medical, nursing, social work, and psychological services.
• Assist genetic laboratory services with interpretation and communication of results to patients and physicians.
• Responsible for following the mandatory reporting procedures for any incident or serious event that did affect or potentially could have affected the clinical care of any patient.
• Provide comprehensive genetic counseling at all designated sites and to patients and families referred for genetic services following the competencies established by the ABGC. This includes case preparation, contracting, review of medical and family histories, creation of pedigree, genetic risk assessment, discussion of inheritance/risk/diagnosis/natural history, genetic testing options, possible result outcomes and implications for patient and family, limited related psychosocial assessment, and resource identification (disease/community/healthcare).
• Prepare and conduct lectures/seminars on human genetics and genetic counseling for lay groups, students, and health professionals; provide clinical supervision for residents and fellows rotating through genetics.
• Assist in the development and implementation of ongoing clinical investigations in genetics by writing and editing research manuscripts and grants; recruit and enroll patients into ongoing studies.
• Act as mentor to genetic counseling graduate students from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.
• Responsible for maintenance of QA for the clinical genetic counseling services.
• Communicate with patients and physicians by phone and/or in writing regarding patient care/testing, which includes interpretation of test results.
• Serve as a resource for various health care professionals regarding genetic testing, genetically based questions, teratogens, and genetic medical information.
• Coordinate genetic testing and insurance coverage for genetic testing of genetics patients.