Item 9.C-July 11, 2014
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
To expedite and facilitate the PDQ review process, please send the PDQ and Org Chart electronically to
marshag@unr.edu for discussion and for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
Questions - call UNR Faculty HR at 682-6114
INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/vpaf/hr/compensation/placement.html for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name (if applicable): Katrina Farwig (11375);
Vacant (11376)
Current Title: Counselor, Genetics (PEDS-LV)
Position #(s): 11375; 11376
Current Range: 3
(JCC: )
Department: Pediatrics – Las Vegas
College/Division: VP, Health Sciences /
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Account #(s): 1108-119-0103
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
(X ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title) (add 2nd position)
( ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
Range:
JCC (Current
or new HR
assigned):
I certify that the statements in this description are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
____________________________________________________________
Employee’s Signature
__________________
Date
I/we have reviewed the statements in this form and they accurately reflect the job assignments.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature Nevin Wilson , Chair, Pediatrics-Las Vegas
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean
Thomas Schwenk, VP, Health Sciences/Dean, SOM
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Stacy Burton, Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs Date
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
77925 Range:
3
Pos #(s): 11375; 11376
JCC:
EEO: 3H
Eff: 7/1/2014
Approved Title: Counselor, Genetics (PEDS-LV)
Employee signs on “final” stamped approved PDQ and sends to HR for personnel file.
Employee Signature:_______________________________________________ __________________
Date
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________
Rev: 12/1/2008
Position Description – Counselor, Genetics (Pediatrics – Las Vegas)
Page 2
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position and its role in the
university. Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division
which reflects the position in it as well as those supervised in the department. (This section is
used for advertisement of the position.)
The Genetics Counselor position is located in the Pediatrics Department at the University of Nevada
School of Medicine (UNSOM) in Las Vegas. The position independently sees and counsels prenatal
and pediatric patients and families with known genetic diagnoses. Pediatric patients are seen in
partnership with the medical geneticist. The incumbent does consultations in the medical community.
The Counselor provides assistance for the genetics program operation and development within the
department. The position provides lectures and supervision of clinical experience for students and
residents. The incumbent presents lectures to the community on topics of genetic significance. The
position reports to the Chair, Pediatrics-Las Vegas.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job (percentage
first with heading and then bulleted information).
65% - Genetic Counseling (Prenatal and Pediatric)
 Attend specialty clinics, provide information 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
 Provide consultation
 Review pertinent medical records and interpret information about the disorder
 Obtain a detailed family, medical, and pregnancy history
 Analyze the pattern of inheritance
 Discuss rationale for recommending specific screening or diagnostic tests
 Review results of recommended laboratory or diagnostic testing with family
 Review results with health care professionals
 Communicate genetic or environmental risk factors to the family, discuss diagnosis, probable
course, and treatment options
 Serve as a patient advocate providing supportive counseling and referring families to
appropriate medical and community resources
 Dictate written report to be sent to family and referring physician
15% - Administrative Activities
 Assess and identify need for genetic services statewide
 Assist in establishing and implementing policies and procedures for clinical genetics program
functioning
 Participate in interviewing and selecting genetic staff
 Triage all patient referrals determining urgency and needed information to see patients
 Participate in training genetic clinic office staff
 Enter patient diagnosis into database
 Assure patient database information is accurate
 Perform queries in the databases
5% - Faculty Clinical Instruction in UNSOM
 Instruct clinical courses for medical students
 Provide lectures, problem sets, and serves as a genetic counseling resource to students and
residents
 Teach obstetric residents during their rotation through prenatal genetic counseling clinics
Position Description – Counselor, Genetics (Pediatrics – Las Vegas)
Page 3
5% - Genetic Counseling Consultant to the Medical Community
 Provide information and consultation to physicians, nurse practitioners, and other health
professionals regarding when a genetic counseling referral is appropriate and what laboratory
tests are indicated based on presenting clinical picture
 Provide lectures and training to allied health professionals
 Communicate and interpret lab results to health professionals
5% - Community Outreach / Lecturers
 Provide community education of topics of genetic significance, genetic disorders and genetic
services
 Participate in the planning and implementation of conferences
 Create brochures and written materials for distribution on genetic topics
5% - Research
 Contribute to original research publications and presentations
 Utilize and enter data into the research database
3. Describe the level of freedom to take action and make decisions with or without
supervision and how the results of the work performed impact the department, division and/or
the university as a whole.
Level of Freedom:
UNSOM-Genetics is the only genetics program in the State of Nevada. Patients from throughout the
State and individuals from other geographic areas (i.e., southern Utah, southern Arizona, and
northern California, etc.) are referred to the program. The decision to consult with the medical
geneticist is left to the discretion and judgment of the Genetics Counselor. The Genetics Counselor
functions with a high degree of autonomy in regard to the decisions and judgments made. Due to the
highly technical nature of the field and rapidly advancing diagnostic capabilities, Genetic Counselors
must be able to continually update their existing knowledge base in order to provide families with
accurate information.
Impact:
The information provided to patients has a high degree of consequence of error. Families may, based
on a genetic counseling consultation, make a decision to terminate a pregnancy, seek sterilization, or
choose to adopt. In some cases, family dissolution may occur. For these reasons, it is critical that the
decisions and judgments made by the Genetics Counselor are accurate and sensitive as well as
culturally competent to the needs of individual families.
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written
communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity and
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Principles, practices, and techniques in genetics counseling
 Student development theory and methodology and factors contributing to excellence in
teaching and ways to mentor students to achieve excellence
 The medical education process, including clinical medicine
 Federal law as related to position, i.e., Family Educational Rights and Privacy
 Reporting to university, State, and/or Federal agencies
 Clinical features and natural history of a broad range of genetic diseases
Position Description – Counselor, Genetics (Pediatrics – Las Vegas)
Skills:
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Assessment and counseling skills
Analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
Interpersonal and human relations skills
Proficiency in use of a personal computer and current software applications involving statistical
databases
Excellent verbal and written communication to include public speaking and lecturing
Teach and mentor staff and students
Evaluate complex medical and genetic literature from a variety of sources and incorporate into
counseling and clinical management
Ability to:
 Interpret highly technical information and communicate this information to families
 Handle a great deal of stress and the willingness to work with families in crisis
 Work autonomously and to accept a large amount of responsibility for patient care decisions
 Stay abreast of a rapidly changing technological field
 Lecture to a variety of diverse audiences
 Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
 Be sensitive to disabilities and cultural and ethnic diversity issues
 Show tact and diplomacy in sensitive situations
 Maintain professional business and work ethics and standards
5. Describe the type of personal contacts encountered in performing the duties of the job.
Explain the nature and purpose of these contacts: i.e., to provide services, to resolve
problems, to negotiate.
Internal
UNSOM physicians and staff
Genetics Clinic staff
Reason for Contact
To provide services, resolve problems, teach
To provide medical supervision and resolve problems
External
State of Nevada Division of
Health, Division of child and
Family Services
Private physicians, nurse
practitioners, and other allied
health professionals
Genetics Clinic patients/parents
Community at large
Reason for Contact
To provide patient services, training, and consultation, and
statistical data
To provide patient services, consultation, and training
To provide services, consultation, referrals, etc.
To provide information regarding available services and teaching
6. Indicate the minimum qualifications which are necessary in filling this position should it
become vacant. Please keep in mind the duties/responsibilities of the position rather than the
qualifications of the incumbent.
a.
Minimum educational level, including appropriate field, if any.
Master’s Degree in genetics counseling from a regionally accredited institution
Position Description – Counselor, Genetics (Pediatrics – Las Vegas)
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b.
Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above required
education necessary for a person entering this position.
Master’s Degree and two years of experience in pediatric genetics counseling
Preferred Licenses or Certifications: None
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
American Board of Genetic Counseling Board Certification