Genetic Counselor

Department/Unit:

HBD - Pediatric Genetics

Work Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Salary Range:

$71,612.39 - $110,999.20Salary Range: $65,057.00 - $107,343.00

Genetic Counselor
Division of Genetics
Albany, NY


Provides genetic counseling, risk assessment and consulting services to patients and family members at Albany Medical Center and those referred to the Clinical Genetics Service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Conducts and informs about genetic risk assessment; provides education regarding the biology and genetics of specific conditions; prepares charts, consultation notes and communication notes

• Completes case preparation prior to appointments

• Coordinates intakes for newly referred patients

• Provides related counseling in regards to psychosocial, legal and ethical issues that arise due to the genetic condition

• Assists the physician in the process of obtaining informed consent for genetic testing; explains the results and potential implications of genetic evaluation/testing

• Supports clinically related genetics research; supports the CGS Director in the development and provision of didactic and clinical programs for residents and others at AMC

• Assists with training of pediatric residents and medical students during genetics rotation

• Creates informational and educational materials

• Provides lectures and workshops for patients, families, health care providers and the general community

• Contributes to the development and support of educational and research grants for the CGS and AMC

Qualification Requirements:

• Master of Science in Genetic Counseling, Human Genetics, or Nursing with certification/credential in genetics

• Board Certification or Board Elligible in Genetic Counseling or equivalent

• Computer experience

Communication Skills:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from physicians, patients, and their family members or other employees within the work setting. 

Mathematical Skills:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.  

Professional Skills:
Ability to be honest, to be punctual, and to perform the job in adherence to the highest standards of ethical conduct as defined by AMC and the tenets of the profession.  Ability to look for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness.  

Reasoning/Critical Thinking Ability:
Ability to identify problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to improve job performance through continuing education. The individual must display a willingness to make decisions within the scope of their authority, exhibit sound and accurate judgment and make timely decisions.  Requires considerable judgment to work independently toward general results, devising methods, modifying standard procedures to meet new or unusual situations, making decisions bases on precedent and within the limits of organizational policies.  Escalates complex or highly sensitive issues to Management.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hand to probe, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms, speak and hear.  The employee is required to sit, and occasionally stoop, kneel or crouch.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:
May be subject to infectious materials and chemicals (Cidex)  
Most of the time is spent sitting or standing in same location or there may be a need to stoop regularly or move/lift light material or equipment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  

This job requires as an essential function that the majority of the time the employee be physically on-site as the work cannot be done from a remote location.

Other Requirements:
All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently.  This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.  Employees will be required to perform any other job-related instructions given by their supervisor subject to reasonable accommodations. 

***This is a best faith effort to clearly define the nature of this position, responsibilities may be added or deleted based upon the ever changing needs of management.  The Individual in this position must have the ability to adapt to change and to be flexible with regard to day to day work responsibilities.

Thank you for your interest in Albany Medical Center!​

Albany Medical is an equal opportunity employer.

This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Medical Center, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that:

Access to information is based on a “need to know” and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Med Center policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification.