Genetic Counsellor

Job Description

We are seeking a skilled Genetic Counsellor - Prenatal, Pediatric and Adult Genetic Specialist to join our multidisciplinary team at Health Sciences North.

About the Job

The successful candidate will provide information to clients and families about genetic factors in conditions, disabilities, and birth defects. They will educate patients about genetic risks and the availability of testing to help them make informed choices.

About Us

Health Sciences North (HSN) is an academic health sciences centre affiliated with the Health Sciences North Research Institute and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. We rank among Canada's Top 40 hospitals and are a regional resource and referral centre across Northeastern Ontario.

Responsibilities

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• Provide genetic counselling to clients and families who seek information due to a family history, recent diagnosis, or suspected diagnosis of a genetic condition.
  
• Identify, organize, and summarize pertinent medical and genetic information for use in counselling.
  
• Convey genetic, medical, and technical information to clients who have a variety of education, socio-economic, and ethno-cultural backgrounds.
  
• Explain technical and medical aspects of diagnostic and screening methods and reproductive options, including associated risks, benefits, and limitations; assess client understanding and response.
  
• Identify major concerns and respond to emerging client or family issues.
  
• Provide counselling to pregnant women and couples.
  
• Provide short-term, client-centered counselling and psychological support to clients and those individuals/couples who have suffered a pregnancy loss.
  
• Design a case management plan around clients' decisions and systematically evaluate the extent to which optimal outcomes have been achieved.
  
• Provide attending Geneticists with a succinct and precise case summary of each client prior to appointment.
  
• Work collaboratively with Geneticists, other physician specialists, patients, families, and members of the health care team to identify priorities, target dates, strategies, or interventions to facilitate the development of an individualized plan of care.
  
• Attend clients' clinic appointments to ensure continuity of care and for self-educational purposes.
  
• Arrange and coordinate testing and follow-up with clients, laboratories, and professionals; make referrals to other professionals and agencies as required.
  
• Ensure privacy and confidentiality of medical information.
  
• Act as a resource and identify local, regional, and national resources and support services.
  
• Establish and maintain inter and intra-disciplinary professional relationships to function as part of a health care delivery team.
  
• Participate in regional, provincial, and national professional organizations, including the Ontario Health Provincial Genetics Program (OH-PGP) and Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC).
  
• Participate in program planning, development, meetings, and educational days.
  
• Develop and update policies and procedures for the department and identify education needs.
  
• Plan, organize, and conduct public and professional education programs on human genetics, patient care, and genetic counselling issues.
  
• Promote the services offered through the Medical Genetics Program to the public and physicians.
  
• Develop pamphlets and written information on different topics for client use.
  
• Determine and align improvement projects with HSN's Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
  
• Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
  
• Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
  
• Educate and promote health, safety, and wellness in the workplace.
  
• Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required.
  
• Perform other duties as required.
  

Requirements

To be considered for this position, you must have:

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• A minimum of a Master's Degree in Genetic Counselling from an accredited university.
  
• Current certification or eligible for certification with the Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling (CBGC) or American Board of Genetic Counselling (ABGC).
  
• Two years' experience working in a Prenatal, Pediatrics, Adult, and/or Cancer Genetics department within a healthcare environment.
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of human genetics as it applies to genetic counselling.
  
• Demonstrated sound judgement with organizational, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
  
• Demonstrated superior client and family service orientation.
  
• Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success, and continue improvement.
  
• Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and patient information systems.
  
• Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
  
• Demonstrated ability to manage routine correspondence, multiple tasks/projects, diversified workload, and rapidly changing priorities and challenging deadlines.
  
• Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
  
• Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.
  

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $45.14 to $55.26 per hour.

We offer competitive salary and vacation, extended health and dental benefits, a pension plan through HOOPP, and a relocation allowance to assist with moving expenses.

Application Instructions

Candidates will be selected for this position based on their skill, ability, experience, and qualifications as identified in their resume and completed application form submitted.

Selection will be conducted according to HSN's equal opportunities policy.