Job Summary

The Department of Pediatrics is looking for a Genetic Counselor to join our team. This position provides genetic counseling services and supports clinical genetic projects and research efforts. Clinical genetic counseling practice areas are primarily in pediatric neurology and serves a broad patient population. The Genetic Counselor provides education, risk assessment, counseling, support, and follow-up to individuals and families who have, or may have, genetic health conditions. This position will help support genetic counseling services and research across multiple pediatric specialties and is housed under the Division of Pediatric Neurology.

The Genetic Counselor will focus on one of the following areas: Leukodystrophy and Epilepsy, Inpatient Neurology, and General Neurology. The area of assignment will be determined during the hiring process.

Responsibilities

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Essential Functions

1. Performs genetic risk assessments by collecting and evaluating medical and family histories.
2. Analyzes and interprets information obtained from patient, medical records and resource materials.
3. Evaluates complex medical and genetic literature and incorporates it into clinical practice.
4. Explains testing options, procedures, test results and their implications; performs psychosocial assessment during genetic consultation and provides grief and crisis counseling as needed.
5. Works with health care team in development and implementation of the care plan.
6. Advises patients and families regarding financial and community resources.
7. Evaluates outcomes and modifies testing or medical recommendations.
8. Facilitates involvement of treatment team members, timely reports and scheduling of team conferences.
9. Assist with prior authorization, working with family and payor to ensure appropriate testing is ordered.
10. Participate in newborn screening follow-up, including counseling of newly identified families and reporting information back to the department of health for conditions referred to pediatric neurology.
11. Participates in University of Utah Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, including clinical rotation supervision, teaching, research or other program activities.

This position will support other at-need divisions as well on request but will be housed within the Division of Neurology.