Genetic Counsellor - #437592

Job Summary

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator, Genetic Counsellor working with direction form Medical Leaders, the Genetic Counsellor participates in a team approach to provide genetic counselling to individual patients and their family members. Additional duties include providing public, professional and academic education and participating in clinical research.

Duties/Accountabilities

• Provides genetic counselling to patients in the Hereditary Cancer Program by performing duties such as:
• Developing and completing patients’ medical and family history by conducting interviews with patients and their family members.
• Explaining the hereditary cancer pattern in the patient’s family and the cancer risks associated with that pattern.
• Recommending cancer screening based on the family history and standard HCP guidelines.
• Explaining genetic susceptibility testing and the associated potential benefits and harms and schedules genetic testing as appropriate.
• Contacting genetic counselling centres outside of British Columbia to organize genetic counselling and testing for out-of-province family members as required.
• Referring patients to health professionals such as social workers, surgeons and oncologists as necessary.
• Documenting a variety of patient information including personal and family medical history, risk assessments, cancer surveillance strategy and progress reports and outcomes.
• Requesting medical records and tissue blocks from hospitals and physicians as required.
• Responding to patient questions regarding cancer risks and disease management in consultation with the referring physician, the medical geneticist, oncologists or other health professionals as required.
• Reviewing and triaging referrals to the HCP by assessing the family history based on eligibility criteria and determining the urgency of the appointment.
• Participates in the academic training of medical students and the training of residents, fellows and graduate students such as students in the UBC Masters Program in Genetic Counselling on rotation in the Program through methods such as giving lectures, leading small group sessions, teaching counselling skills and supervising patient counselling sessions.
• Contributes to the design, review, maintenance, and evaluation of the HCP database software (Progeny) by performing duties such as identifying additional data fields and standard search criteria.
• Contributes to the development of Program policies and procedures through methods such as reviewing and discussing current research, policies and procedures in place in other HCP programs and providing input for the drafting of policies and procedures for review by the team.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of new services and procedures in the area of hereditary cancer through methods such as providing input on the effectiveness of counselling services within the Program, identifying opportunities for change and contributing to recommendations for quality improvement.
• Participates in HCP Case Conferences meetings through methods such as contributing to the preparation of the agenda and presenting patient and family case histories and concerns at patient care conferences.
• Collaborates with members of the HCP interdisciplinary team to develop research proposals and participates in conducting approved research projects through methods such as drafting research proposals, providing information on proposed budgets, collecting data, analyzing data, summarizing information and participating in disseminating research findings.
• Provides informal and formal consultation to the community, both public and professional groups on topics related to genetic counselling and hereditary cancer through methods such as lecturing and facilitating discussion groups.
• Provides input to the design and revision of the curriculum for the BCCA component of the accredited UBC Masters Program in Genetic Counselling.
• Attends and participates in a variety of meetings as a representative of the Genetic Counselling area to provide input and/or receive information and participate in decision making.
• Maintains knowledge of current developments in Genetic Counselling through methods such as reviewing relevant literature, consulting with other professionals and attending relevant education programs in order to recommend new applications and contribute to improvement in care in the Program.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduate of an accredited Masters program in Genetic Counselling.
• Minimum of two (2) years of recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Board eligible or Board Certified with the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and/or the American Board of Genetic Counselling.
  
  

Skills And Abilities

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, other professional staff, and the general public.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and co-operatively as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Demonstrated ability to accept responsibility, make decisions and teach.

Demonstrated understanding of hereditary cancer syndromes, genetic testing and clinical guidelines.

Familiarity with design and conduct of quantitative and qualitative research.

Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment including ability to use a variety of word processing and database software.

Demonstrated physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.