What are the responsibilities and job description for the Genetic Counselor position at Kaiser Permanente?
Job Summary:
Provides genetic counseling and referral services for patients of all age groups (including obstetric-prenatal counseling, multiple miscarriage counseling, reproductive screening and advice, newborn consultation and cancer patients) who have or are at risk for genetic conditions or birth defects. Acts as a consultant to health care providers regarding highly specialized genetic information pertinent to management of their patients.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Upholds Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities and applicable state, federal and local laws.
- Provides genetic counseling services for all areas of medical genetics including pediatric, prenatal, adult, and cancer referrals.
- Reviews patient chart and evaluates family history through investigation of outside records, examination of affected individuals, or family testing of chromosome analysis, DNA studies, metabolic screening, etc.
- Assesses recurrence risk and recommends medical or genetic testing based on analysis of the risk, benefit and cost.
- Provides crisis intervention and psychosocial counseling to members upon discovery of unexpected findings (e.g., malformation, biochemical disorders) regarding genetic conditions.
- Reviews implications and discusses options with member and/or family members. Makes referrals for ongoing care and support.
- Provides case management for complex genetic cases including coordination medical recommendations and management plans, testing and ongoing counseling.
- Develops, implements and coordinates a wide variety of genetic programs (e.g., prenatal diagnosis, California Prenatal Screening Program, carrier screening and specialty clinics). Follows guidelines mandated by the State of California.
- Produces culturally sensitive and age appropriate patient and health professional educational materials, and participates in community education programs.
- Conducts literature search on rare genetic diseases and keeps abreast of developments in the field.
- Develops and presents in-service education to physicians and health professional education materials, and current medical genetic topics.
- Maintains statistics, survey trends, and adjusts protocols to ensure appropriate patient referral and care.
- Recommends and implements enhanced clinical practice standards.
- Participates in research projects.
- Participates in group quality assurance case conferences with the Medical Geneticist.
- Reviews complex family pedigrees, unusual cases, abnormal AFP results, viewing of photographs, DNA studies, etc.
- Assume other activities and responsibilities from time to time as directed.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
Experience
- N/A
Education
- Masters degree in Genetic Counseling or complete degree prior to employment.
License, Certification, Registration
- Genetic Counselor License (California) required at hire from American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics OR Temporary Genetic Counselor License (California) required at hire
- National Provider Identifier required at hire
Additional Requirements:
- Knowledge of Federal, State and Local requirements.
- Demonstrated analytic and diagnostic reasoning skills.
- Ability to clearly explain complex medical information in both verbal and written form.
- Previous experience or knowledge of crisis intervention and interviewing techniques.
- Experience in development of educational programs in human and medical genetics.
- Must be able to work in a Labor/Management Partnership environment.
- For temporary Genetic Counselor license, must work under the general supervision of a licensed genetic counselor or licensed physician: expiration is after 24 months or 30 days after notification that applicant has failed the ABGC certification exam and it cannot be renewed (whichever comes first)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of computer operations preferred.
Notes:
- Metabolic position
