Genetic Counselor Assistant

Under direct supervision by genetic counselors and guided by the procedures of Ambulatory Services, we are seeking a Genetic Counselor Assistant who will be responsible for supporting the clinical work of the Johns Hopkins Prenatal Genetics office. This will involve direct contact with the genetic counselors (GC), patient service coordinators, other team members, referring providers and patients. The GCA works as a team member with other practice staff and consistently projects a professional and courteous demeanor. They must pay close attention to detail and demonstrate excellent customer service skills with patients and staff.

Under the supervision by genetic counselors, the Genetic Counselor Assistant (GCA) will work primarily with the clinical genetic counselors (GCs) to assist with all aspects of patient care. The GCA is responsible for collaborating with GCs, other clinicians, patients and hospital staff in the operational functioning of the genetic counseling clinical activities to ensure optimal communication and efficient services are provided; thus, meeting the needs of patients and families served by the genetic counseling program.

Critical features of this position are described below and are subject to change at the discretion of management. This job description reflects the designation of essential job functions but does not provide an all-inclusive list of duties that may be assigned.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Assisting genetic counselors with all aspects of patient intake, genetic counseling and documentation. Genetic Counselor assistant will work primarily with clinical (5) genetic counselors.

Review of genetic test results

• Review incoming faxed routine lab reports.
• Receive results through reference lab online portals and disseminate to appropriate GC.
• Fax test results to referring OBs.
• Call out negative routine genetic test results using script provided by GC and arrange follow-up telephone call with GC as needed (cfDNA, expanded carrier screen, etc.).

Coordinate and assist with all aspects of genetic testing, including,

• Transport specimens to/from Cytogenetics lab, Pathology Customer Service, etc.
• Investigate genetic test options.
• Contact lab to determine price, turn-around-time, and sample requirements.
• Complete electronic and paper test requisition forms.
• Order specimen collection kits.
• Compile clinical information for lab.
• Track ordered tests.

Assist GC in preparing for patient appointments

• Obtain basic pedigree from patient by phone prior to appointment.
• Review relevant medical records and obtain missing documents.
• Perform searches of medical literature (e.g. PubMed, OMIM) and publicly-available genetic databases (e.g. ClinVar, HGMD, DECIPHER), as requested by GC.

Prepare correspondence and documentation

• Prepare letters of medical necessity to obtain insurance authorization and/or provide supporting evidence as necessary related to genetic testing and genetic counseling.
• Draft components of genetic counseling visit notes, result summary letters, and other patient/family educational materials for review by GC.
• Document any patient correspondence in electronic medical record.

Assist with general office tasks, including

• Answer phones and field general phone calls.
• Serve as back-up to schedule appointments when patient service coordinator is out of office.
• Maintain the master Outlook calendar.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biological/Health Science or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Successful completion of at least one undergraduate course in genetics preferred.
• Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office software, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both over the telephone and in person. Ability to deal sensitively and effectively with patients. Excellent organizational skills. Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills. Ability to work well both independently, with little supervision, and in a team setting.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Classified Title: Genetic Counselor Assistant
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MB
Starting Salary Range: $42,330 - $74,110 Annually ($58,220 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: School of Medicine Campus
Department name: SOM OB GYN Cytogenetics
Personnel area: School of Medicine

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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