Genetic Counsellor - 18 Month Contract

at  Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• An Approved Master of Science degree in Genetic/Genomic Counselling

OR

• Attainment of the NHS Scientific Training Programme (STP) in Genomic Counselling, or

OR

• A qualification recognised for professional registration via the grandfather clause by the GCRB/AHCS or an equivalent overseas Genetic Counselling Board/Regulatory Body hold current registration with that Genetic Counselling Board/Regulatory Body

Desirable:

• Professional experience in a Clinical Genetics setting is desirable.
• Professional registration with the GCRB/AHCS or EBMG.

The purpose of this post is to contribute to the provision of a comprehensive, specialist, high quality genetic counselling service for families at risk of inherited diseases and to develop a research programme in cancer genetics under the guidance of Professor Gallagher.

In conjunction with the Consultant Geneticist the post holder will:

• Comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis, probable course of the disorder and the available management;
• Appreciate the way heredity contributes to the disorder, and the risk of recurrence in specified relatives;
• Understand the options (including genetic testing) for dealing with the risk;
• Choose the course of action most appropriate for them;
• Make the best possible adjustment to the disorder / risk of the disorder.
• Provide expert knowledge, information and psychological support for all patients referred to the service including;
• Attend outpatients and meet patients and their families in clinics
• Confirm diagnostic information from clinical records and give normal, uncertain, and abnormal test results to patients and health care professionals.
• Communicate highly sensitive and potentially distressing information to patients and relatives about their genetic status with implications for biological and social family relationships and use counselling skills to facilitate decision making and promote adjustment in patients and family members.
• Use specialised counselling skills to communicate sensitively in the presence of language, cultural or ethical issues (including patients with learning difficulties or psychiatric disorders).
• Ensure the best possible standard of work by applying scientific and clinical understanding and counselling expertise to unique clinical situations.
• Work in collaboration with the Oncology Team in relation to treatment plans
• Order genetics tests as clinically appropriate and according to agreed guidelines.
• Maintain a full and accurate record of work undertaken (including pedigrees, family history telephone and home visit reports, correspondence and other notes) in both manual and computerised records and preserve their confidentiality. Document the concerns and expectations of patients and relatives.
• Liaise, facilitate and maintain communications with laboratory colleagues to communicate clinical information necessary to ensure appropriate genetic testing is carried out and to discuss complex test results that are difficult to interpret.
• Liaise regionally, nationally and internationally with other genetics centres laboratories, and a range of clinical departments
• Calculate risks for a range of genetic disorders, including carrier risks, recurrence risks for pregnancy, and risk of becoming affected, for patients and their relatives. This can involve making decisions where expert opinion differs or where limited information is available.
• Attend weekly departmental clinical meetings to participate in discussion and feedback on clinical cases.
• Discuss cases with ethical complexity with colleagues at weekly clinical meeting.
• Offer psychological support to patients during cancer genetic risk assessment and genetic testing and assess patients to determine where there is a need for specialist therapeutic counselling or psychiatric assessment, and make appropriate referrals.
• Establish and develop specialist advice and act in a supportive role for the patient’s relatives and caregivers affected by hereditary cancer, from the first consultation onwards.
• Work as part of the multidisciplinary team liaising with other specialist teams as required and act as a resource to the multi-professional team in the care of patients with hereditary cancer.
• Assess the patient’s needs for health education and inform and advise patient’s, families and caregivers of details of and access to education and support resources organisations as required
• Update and develop relevant protocols and standards relating to counselling in Cancer Genetics cancer care in consultation with appropriate members of the multi-professional team.
• Endeavour to achieve for all individuals seen a good understanding of the genetics information and the best possible adjustment to the presence of genetic disease in their family.
• Communicate with, and support, patients who are recently bereaved including patients and family members.
• Identify and respond to emerging issues for the patient or family, over an open-ended time period.
• Present findings of research, audit and clinical practice regionally, nationally, or internationally.