Genetic Counselor II

• Establishes a agreed upon genetic counseling agenda with the patient and their family;
• Elicits and obtains family history and medical information, including pregnancy development;

• Provides professional psychosocial genetic counseling to individuals regarding hereditary conditions posing potential risks to their children;

• Recommends medical or genetic testing to individuals/families at risk for genetic diseases or birth defects;

• Educates and explains technical and medical aspects of diagnostic and screening methods and reproductive options, including associated risks, benefits, and limitations;

• Coordinates communication between patient and multi-disciplinary medical team in the diagnosis and evaluation of birth conditions;

• Provides direct in-patient and out-patient care, including at satellite clinics;

• Charts, reports, coordinates, and categorizes clinical testing and test results that are approved by the specialty clinician;

• Supervises and teaches genetic counseling interns;

• Educates medical students, nurses, residents, and fellows through research, community outreach, and multi-disciplinary clinic development regarding genetic counseling and treatment services and current medical genetic updates;

• Responds to individuals/families in a timely manner;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

• Performs other duties, as required.

• Possess and maintain a Genetic Counselor license issued by the California Department of Public Health, in good standing, for the duration of employment in this classification.

• Possess and maintain a valid certification by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, for the duration of employment in this classification.

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

*As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help.

A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

• Principles of supervision and training and methods of instruction;

• Clinical expertise in area of specialty;

• Inherited disorders and detectable conditions;

• Effective counseling technique and session structure;

• Benefits and risks of noninvasive screening and invasive diagnostic testing;

• Effective techniques for individual case management and collaboration with multidisciplinary health professionals to promote patient care;

• Relevant community agencies and available public and private support services;

• Age-specific competencies required for effective counseling on cases involving infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics;

• English usage, style, grammar, punctation, and spelling;

• Common computer systems and applications.

• Supervise and assign the work of interns;

• Obtain and interpret family medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence;

• Work in collaboration with health professionals to assist families facing prenatal genetic abnormalities and birth defects;

• Identify and respond to issues and problems effectively and in a timely manner;

• Maintain confidentiality; listen and obtain clarification to ensure that instructions/requests are fully comprehended;

• Educate individuals, families, and medical professionals about inherited genetic disorders or birth defects and the medical testing, scientific research, clinical trials, psychological resources, and other options available;

• Counsel patients and families to promote informed choices on various treatment options and adaptation to the risk or birth health condition;

• Counsel patients and families with sensitivity toward those at risk of genetic defects or birth disorders;

• Translate complex language of genetic medicine into understandable terms;

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies.
  
  Special Requirement
• Travel to and provide services at satellite clinics as required.