Genetic Counselor

Duties and Responsibilities:
Genetic counselors work as members of a health care team,providing information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. They identify families at risk, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risk of recurrence and review available options with the family. Genetic counselors also provide supportive counseling to families, serve as patient advocates and refer individuals and families to community or state support services. They serve as educators and resource people for other health care professionals and for the general public. Some counselors also work in administrative capacities. Many engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics and counseling.

Salary:
$25,000 - $55,000

Education:

 Degree Level     Master's degree
Degree Field      Genetic counseling, biology, psychology or related field*
Licensure and Certification          Certification is required by some employers; licensing is required by many states*
Experience         Experience requirements vary by employer, but generally the minimum is two years*
Key Skills              Excellent writing, communication and decision-making skills*
Computer Skills Knowledge of Human Mutation Databases and Genome Browsers**
Technical Skills   Knowledge of Human Genome Variation Society (HGVS) nomenclature**