JOB DESCRIPTION
1.
JOB DETAILS
Job Title: Genetic Counsellor
Band: 7
Reports to: Senior Genetic Counsellor
Department / Directorate:
2.
Peninsula Clinical Genetics Service (PCGS), Child & Women’s Health
Directorate
JOB PURPOSE
To provide a high quality genetic counselling service at specialist level within the Peninsula service as
part of the Clinical Genetics team.
To help individuals and families deal with a genetic disorder. This is to be achieved by helping the
patient and their families to:
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Comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis, probable course of the disorder, and the
available management.
Appreciate the way in which heredity contributes to the disorder, and the risk of recurrence in
specified relatives
Understand the alternatives for dealing with the risk of recurrence
Help clients choose the course of action which seems to them most appropriate
Make the best possible adjustment to the disorder in an affected family member and/or the risk of
recurrence of that disorder.
To act as a significant educational resource, both to the wider health care system trainees in genetics
and genetic counselling and medical students.
3.
DIMENSIONS/ KEY WORKING RELATIONS
The PCGS, which is hosted by the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, has its main head
office in Exeter, with additional offices based in Plymouth and Truro. In its entirety the peninsula
service covers the counties of Devon and Cornwall.
Key working relationships
 Senior Genetic Counsellor
 Consultant Clinical Geneticists
 Clinical Genetic Counsellors/Nurses
 Clinical Services Manager for Genetics
 Genetics Laboratory teams
 Multidisciplinary teams, including: cancer, paediatrics, obstetrics and fetal medicine, cardiac
and neurology teams, pathology, community care, primary care and GPs.
4.
ORGANISATIONAL CHART:
Consultant Clinical Genetics
SpRs
Clinical Services Manager
for Genetics
Senior Genetic Counsellor
Genetic Counsellors
Denotes reporting relationship --------------------Line Management
5.
KEY RESULT AREAS/PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The post holder will work within the agreed job plan as below:
Communication with patients and families:
 Elicit patient’s concerns and expectations
 Elicit and accurately document client’s detailed family history
 Interpret medical, family and psychological history
 Confirm diagnostic information
 Communicate genetic information to patients and their relatives
 Receive and provide highly complex and possibly conflicting information
 Identify and respond to emerging issues for the client or family
 Identify changes of risk within the family
 Interpret and communicate normal and abnormal genetic test results to patients and health care
professionals
 Take responsibility for his/her own work managing and prioritising an individual caseload
autonomously
 Take a role in the provision of predictive genetic counselling
 Organise and participate in co-counselling with colleagues (eg as part of predictive testing)
 Expertly communicate highly sensitive and potentially psychologically damaging information,
which may cause high levels of stress following discussion with a Consultant Clinical Geneticist
Communication with Colleagues
 Liaise regionally and nationally with laboratory directors and other staff to order and communicate
about genetic tests and to discuss complex test results that are difficult to interpret.
 Liaise regionally and nationally with other health care professionals including departments of
histology, surgery, screening, midwifery, psychiatry, cardiology, social work and others as needed
to obtain and provide information.
 Act as patient advocate in appropriate situations.
Educational Activities
 Present findings of research, audit and clinical practice to large groups of staff or members of the
public, within the trust, regionally, nationally or internationally.
 Participate in the teaching of genetics to medical personnel, including students, other health care
professionals and members of the public.
Patient/Patient Care
 Use non-directive and other counselling skills to counsel patients about available options and
facilitate decision making
 Help to arrange relevant prenatal diagnostic tests for genetic patients who inform the department
of a pregnancy, ensuring continuity of care through to outcome in conjunction with the named
consultant
 Employ the methods, procedures and approach established within the department
 Undertake an equitable and appropriate proportion of the total genetic counsellors’ workload
whilst maintaining the necessary quality of work.
 Maintain a full and accurate record of work undertaken (including pedigrees, telephone and home
visit reports, correspondence and other notes) in both manual and computerised records and
preserve their confidentiality.
 Ensure that best possible standards of work are maintained.
 Facilitate communication between medical, field working, clerical and laboratory staff within the
department to ensure the best possible service to families.
 Maintain effective communication with professionals (e.g. medical, nursing, social work) outside
the department, both for the benefit of individual families as well as to promote general awareness
of the genetic counselling service.
 Undertake any other duties, within the context of this job description and appropriate to the grade
of the post, necessary for the changing needs of an effective and efficient patient service.
Professional Development and Education:
 Attend departmental seminars/teaching sessions, and national meetings equitably within the team
after discussion with supervisor and Principal Genetic Counsellor.
 Participate in reflective practice in all areas of patient care and has an understanding of current
research with the speciality.
 Collate clinical and educational development opportunities towards the portfolio of evidence
required for Genetic Counsellor registration.
 Undertake any other duties, within the context of this job description and appropriate to the grade
of the post, necessary for the changing needs of an effective and efficient patient service.
Registered Nurse only
 To be accountable for own professional practice and work within the NMCs Code of Professional
Conduct
 To be an active member of the NMC’s professional register
Other Responsibilities:
To take part in regular performance and development review
To undertake any training required in order to maintain competency including mandatory training, e.g.
Fire, Manual Handling
To contribute to and work within a safe working environment
The post holder is expected to comply with Trust Infection Control Policies and conduct him/herself at
all times in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection
THE TRUST - PURPOSE AND VALUES
We are committed to serving our community by being a high quality specialist Hospital with
consultant-led services. We aim to co-ordinate our services with primary and community care, and to
develop a limited number as Sub-Regional Referral Centres with appropriate levels of research,
development and educational involvement. Where appropriate, and consistent with our services, we
may provide services aimed at preventing disease and debilitation.
We aim to make all our services exemplary in both clinical and operational aspects. We will show
leadership in identifying healthcare needs to which we can respond and in determining the most costeffective way of doing so. We will share our knowledge with neighbouring healthcare agencies and
professionals.
We recruit competent staff that we support in maintaining and extending their skills in accordance with
the needs of the people we serve. We will pay staff fairly and recognise the whole staff’s commitment
to meeting the needs of our patients.
We are committed to equal opportunity for all and encourage flexible working arrangements including
job sharing.
The Trust is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse workforce and so we welcome
applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion,
sexual orientation, maternity/pregnancy, marriage/civil partnership or transgender status. The Trust
expects all staff to behave in a way which recognises and respects this diversity, in line with the
appropriate standards.
GENERAL
This is a description of the job as it is now. We periodically examine employees' job descriptions and
update them to ensure that they reflect the job as it is then being performed, or to incorporate any
changes being proposed. This procedure is conducted by the Manager in consultation with the
jobholder. You will, therefore, be expected to participate fully in such discussions. We aim to reach
agreement on reasonable changes, but if agreement is not possible, the Trust reserves the right to
insist on changes to your job description after consultation with you.
The RD&E is a totally smoke-free Trust. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on Trust property,
including all buildings, grounds and car parks. For help to quit call: 01392 207462.
As an employee of the Trust, it is a contractual duty that you abide by any relevant code of
professional conduct and/or practice applicable to you. A breach of this requirement may result in
action being taken against you (in accordance with the Trust’s disciplinary policy) up to and including
dismissal.
The post holder is expected to comply with Trust Infection Control Policies and conduct him/her at all
times in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection.
This post has been identified as involving access to vulnerable adults and/or children and in line with
Trust policy successful applicants will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service
Disclosure Check.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST: Genetic Counsellor
BAND: 7
REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING
Obtained GCRB** accredited MSc degree in Genetic Counselling
OR
Attainment of 1st or MSc degree
Plus
Attainment of professional qualification as registered nurse or
midwife or social worker and maintenance of current professional
registration
Plus
Previous experience as a senior registered practitioner having
developed and demonstrated proficiency as an autonomous
professional in a health or social care setting
Plus
Completion of a genetics course of no less than 30 hours duration
which has academic accreditation
Plus
Completion of training in counselling skills of at least 90 guided
learning hours.
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS
Ability to work within a multidisciplinary environment
Ability to work as a member of a team
Ability to manage own workload
Ability to work within supervision
Good report and writing skills
Extensive verbal and written communication skills
Counselling skills
Knowledge of genetics
EXPERIENCE
Teaching experience
Knowledge of clinical governance
Experience of research governance
Experience of literature searching and critical analysis
Experience of clinical audit
Experience of working in a Regional Genetics Unit
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Excellent attention to detail and standards of care and thorough
record keeping.
Highly motivated, flexible and enthusiastic
Excellent ability to work within and contribute to the development
and maintenance of a highly skilled and motivated team
Ability to self-motivate and work autonomously
Awareness and respect for the needs and values of patients and
professional colleagues
Commitment to further professional training
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
PhlebotomyCurrent, clean driving licence
Knowledge and previous experience of using PC software,
particularly word processing and databases.
Essential/Desirable ** Genetic Counsellor Registration Board
At
Recruitment
At 2nd KSF
Gateway
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Laboratory Specimens
Blood / Body Fluids
Radiation / Lasers
Solvents
Respiratory Sensitisers
Cytotoxic Drugs
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HAZARDS:- Updated 31st May 2013
Clinical contact with Patients
Dealing with violence &
aggression of patients/relatives
Dusty Environment
VDU Use (occasional)
Challenging Behaviour
 Manual Handling
Driving
Noise / Vibration
Food Handling
Working in isolation
Electrical work
Night Working
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