**Company Biography**

Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) is located in the City of Orillia - a beautiful community nestled along the shores of Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. Orillia offers an environment where a health work/life balance is easy to achieve as exceptional urban amenities, natural resources, points of interest, and recreational opportunities abound.

People have always been OSMH’s greatest strength. Our committed team has helped our community for over a century. We offer an environment where each individual works interdependently towards common goals: we value _Trust, Courage and Teamwork_. We are an organization where individuals’ contributions are valued and there are many opportunities for personal growth and development.

**Position Summary**

The Genetics Counsellor at OSMH is a health care provider who works in collaboration with Geneticists and other multidisciplinary members while maintaining a high level of autonomy. The Genetics Counsellor is able to translate complex clinical and scientific information in order to assist individuals and their families to clearly understand their diagnosis, make informed decisions, and benefit from accessing the most appropriate services.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
General:
Genetic Counselling means a communication process that may include:

- Estimating the likelihood of occurrence or recurrence of any potentially inherited or genetically influenced condition or congenital abnormality. Genetic counselling may involve:

- Obtaining and analyzing the complete health history of an individual and family members,
- Reviewing pertinent medical records,
- Evaluating the risks from exposure to possible mutagens or teratogens, and
- Determining appropriate genetic testing or other evaluations to diagnose a condition or determine the carrier status of one or more family members,
- Helping an individual, family or health care provider to:

- Appreciate the medical, psychological and social implications of a disorder, including its features, variability, usual course and management options,
- Learn how genetic factors contribute to a disorder and affect the chance for occurrence of the disorder in other family members,
- Understand available options for coping with, preventing or reducing the chance of occurrence or recurrence of a disorder,
- Select the most appropriate, accurate and cost-effective methods of diagnosis, and
- Understand genetic or prenatal tests, coordinate testing for inherited disorders and interpret complex genetic test results, and
- Facilitating an individual’s or family’s:

- Exploration of the perception of risk and burden associated with a genetic disorder, and
- Adjustment and adaptation to a disorder or the individual’s or family’s genetic risk by addressing needs for psychological, social and medical support.

Specific Duties:

- Receives patient referrals and researches necessary information pertinent to the reason for referral prior to planning for and providing care.
- Contacts patient, referring physician and other members of the multidisciplinary team to review the reasons for referral and to assess the information required and testing arrangements to be made prior to genetic consult.
- Works as part of a team with a geneticist by consulting regarding pending referrals, providing patient management throughout the consultation process, and arranging follow-up testing as required.
- Carries own patient load as outlined by policy or in consultation with the Clinical manager and geneticist.
- Gathers necessary information from the literature and determines what information is missing and guides clerical staff in obtaining records.
- Provides counselling and case management according to policy and procedure or following documented instruction from a geneticist.
- Provides counselling which is informative, supportive, and nondirective.
- Arranges for testing as appropriate and is responsible for the follow-up of results. Consults with a geneticist if results are abnormal or unusual. Manages follow-up as required in consultation with geneticist.
- Maintains communication with the referring physician as necessary.
- Refers patients to appropriate community resources.
- Prepares written summary letters of consultation sessions for patients and referring physicians.
- Assists with collecting and recording clinical patient information for program productivity measures and monthly statistics.
- Plans and provides educational opportunities and presentations to other health care professionals and the community.
- Contributes to research initiatives.
- Assists in the preparation of written educational materials.
- Assists with orientation if required.
- Participates in the development, implementation and review of hospital and program policies and procedures as they relate to the Genetics Program.
- Plays an active role in the continuing quality improvement of the Genetics Program by taking part in formal projects an