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Genetic Counselors educate, give advice and provide support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. Genetic Counselors identify families at risks, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence and review available options with the family.  These counselors work as professional members of a health-care team. 

Additionally, Genetic Counselors advocate and refer families to community organizations for ongoing support care.  They conduct research on various genetic traits and illnesses and publish these findings in professional journals.  Genetic Counselors may educate and provide consultative services to other health care professionals. Many of them engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling.

Job Duties 

Genetic Counselors may:

Conduct pre-counseling case preparation by reviewing medical literature, reputable web sites, and relevant medical records

Collect family history and medical history information in order to assess a person or family's chance of developing a health condition or birth defect (genetic risks assessment)

Discuss with patients and families their chance of developing specific genetic conditions or birth defects based on personal medical history

Educate patients and families about the symptoms of the condition for which they are at risk, the inheritances, genetic testing options, management, prevention, available resources, and the status of current research

Help coordinate genetic testing when indicated as part of the health-care team involved in the care of a person at risk for a genetic condition

Provide counseling to promote informed decision-making and to help patients/families cope with their condition or risk

Document in medical records the care provided

Interact with patients/families with a variety of developmental and social cultural backgrounds

Serve as patient advocates and refer individuals and families to community or state support services

Provide specialty consultation to health care staff

Maintain professional relationships with genetics colleagues and other health care team members

Design informational materials and other tools such as genetic counseling aids

Make referrals for ongoing care and support

Follow-up with patients

Conduct programs/seminars that educate physicians, other health care professionals, students and lay (patient) audiences

Participate in continuing education of genetics

Click here  to watch a video clip on Genetic Counselors!

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Genetic Counselors may specialize in these areas:

ADULTS - counsel and provide support to individuals that are diagnosed with or are at risk genetic disorders during their adulthood.

CANCER - provide counseling and supportive services to those who are either diagnosed with cancer or have a family history of cancer.

DNA DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES - serve as a liaison between the health care team (including the physician), patient and the testing laboratory.

NEUROGENETICS - counsel individuals who have neurological and/or neuromuscular disorders such as Huntington disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, and spinal muscular atrophy.

PEDIATRIC GENETICS - help families provide care that will optimize the well-being of newborns, infants, and children. 

PREIMPLANTATION GENETICS - counsel families who wish to use artificial reproductive technology.

PRENATAL - counsel individuals/couples during the course of the pregnancy on issues that include family history, medical history, advance maternal age (women over the age of 35) and other risk factors. Prenatal Counseling can also include working with patients prior to conception.

RESEARCH COORDINATOR - work with families and research scientists to help understand the genetic basis of human disease.

SPECIALTY DISEASE - work with individuals and families at risk for specific diseases or groups of diseases such as cleft lip & palate, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis or cardiovascular disease.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Genetic Counselors typically work in a well ventilated and lit area.  The majority of the work takes place in clinical settings located in medical building or outpatient facilities. Much of the work takes place in a face-to-face meeting with clients. Most Genetic Counselors have a 40-hour work week. However, there are many genetic counselors that work part-time.   

Genetic Counselors must obtain a Master's Degree from an accredited American Board of Genetic Counseling  program. 

Genetic Counselors should also hold a certification from the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Only individuals who have graduated from an ABGC accredited graduate training program are eligible to take the certification exam. The examination is offered every year.  Individuals must be certified within 3-4 years following graduation or additional training will be required.  Eligible individuals who pass the certification examination are recognized as Certified Genetic Counselors (C.G.C.). Licensure of Genetic Counselors is only available in a small number of states at this time.

Many Genetic Counselors choose to belong to associations like the National Society of Genetic Counselors, the American College of Medical Genetics  and/or the American Society of Human Genetics .  Association members must pay annual dues.

You Should Prefer:

·          Activities of a scientific and technical nature

·          Activities involving communication of ideas and information

·          Activities involving direct contact to help people

·          Activities that require personal responsibility and independent thinking

You Should Be Able To:

·          Perform a variety of duties which may change often

·          Communicate effectively in speech and writing

·          Help others reach personal judgments about ideas and actions

·          Interpret feelings, ideas, or facts from a variety of viewpoint

·          Direct and plan an entire activity or the activity of others

·          Deal with people in a tactful and considerate manner

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Should be able to read and understand terminology such as spinal muscular atrophy, pediatric genetics and prenatal genetics

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical, reasoning and decision-making skills in providing counseling to patients and their families.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: The completion of a master's degree (six to seven years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2000 LIFE MANAGEMENT , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program  

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script. (There are some graduate programs and clinics that offer internships.)

***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Genetic Counseling is a new and emerging occupation within the health care industry and opportunities for employment should be plentiful.  Employers of health care or scientific research facilities prefer applicants with college training and a Master's degree in genetics.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Hospital or Health Care employer

internships

volunteer work with a Hospital or Health Care employer

community service work with an agency

Direct application to employers is the usual method of entering the occupation. Openings are found through school placement offices, professional association publications, want ads, Michigan Works! offices, and Civil Service offices. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

The earnings of Genetic Counselor depend on the complexity of the work, and geographical area. Earnings tend to be slightly higher in large urban areas.

According to a bi-annual national survey conducted by the National Society of Genetic Counselors, the average annual salary for Genetic Counselors started at $52,000 per year in early 2009. Depending on their level of expertise, Genetic Counselors salaries ranged from $48,000 to $71,000 or more per year in early 2009.   The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $37,544 in 2008.

In early 2009, Genetic Counselors working in Region 4 (which includes Michigan) had an average starting salary of $50,250 per year depending on their level of experience.  Full Professors teaching Genetics at colleges and universities averaged $102,363 per year in the 2008-2009 school year.

Depending on the employer, Genetic Counselors may receive vacation pay, retirement plans, health and life insurance, sick leave, profit-sharing plans, and dental insurance. Some Genetic Counselors may receive long-term disability insurance. Some employers may offer stock purchase/savings plans for salaried employees.

Genetic Counselors may start out as counselor's assistant, laboratory researcher or may enter higher positions directly with sufficient education and/or training.

Genetic Counselors may advance to higher positions through a combination of experience and further education and training. Those who demonstrate work and leadership skills may advance to the Assistant Director or Director of Genetic Counseling Services within a health care or university setting.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK   

Nationally, according to the American Board of Genetic Counseling, there were a little over 1,900 certified Genetic Counselors employed in 2008. Employment opportunities in this field will continue to see tremendous growth.

Those who specialize in Prenatal, Cancer, Pediatric and Adult Genetic Counseling will have the most opportunities for employment. As more individuals and couples consider genetic counseling as a part of their family planning, there will be a significant increase for certified Genetic Counselors.

With new advancements in technology and new research methods developed at institutions such as the National Human Genome Research Institute (National Institute of Health) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the need for certified Genetic Counselors will increase.  

Additional opportunities should be plentiful for Genetic Counselors in other areas such as private practice, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and health care consulting firms.

In Michigan, there are about 60 Certified Genetic Counselors. As this occupation continues to grow, there will be additional openings occurring throughout the health care industry in Michigan.

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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