What You'll Do

  • Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
  • Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.
  • Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
  • Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.
  • Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
  • Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.
  • Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
  • Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
  • Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
  • Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.12/5
Active Listening 4.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 4.0/5
Writing 3.88/5
Speaking 3.88/5
Critical Thinking 3.88/5
Active Learning 3.88/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.88/5
Science 3.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5
Instructing 3.12/5
Service Orientation 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Empathy, Dependability, Cooperation, Intellectual Curiosity

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Written Comprehension 4.25/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.12/5
Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Problem Sensitivity 4.0/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Information Ordering 3.88/5

Technologies & Tools

Benetech PRA BRCAPRO Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool CancerGene CyrillicSoftware Cyrillic Database software FileMaker Pro Ftree Jurek Software Pedigree-Draw Medgen PED Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word PedHunter PediDraw Pedigree drawing and management software Progeny Software Progeny Clinical

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 5.0/5)
  • Empathy (High importance: 5.0/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.77/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.7/5)
  • Intellectual Curiosity (High importance: 4.69/5)

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How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Cancer Genetic Counselor Cancer Program Consultant Certified Genetic Counselor Chromosomal Disorders Counselor Genetic Coordinator Genetic Counseling Medical Specialist Genetic Counselor Genetics Counselor Medical Science Liaison Mitochondrial Disorders Counselor Pediatric Genetic Counselor Prenatal and Pediatric Genetic Counselor Prenatal Genetic Counselor Reproductive Genetic Counseling Coordinator