Senior Prenatal Genetic Counselor

Department Overview

The Senior Genetic Counselor provides outpatient genetic counseling services in the ambulatory clinics of the Center for Women’s Health. They provide preconception/reproductive and prenatal genetic counseling, educate patients and professionals about genetic diseases and genetic testing options, advise patients on the social and ethical issues associated with a genetic disorder or genetic test result, and help patients cope with a diagnosis of a genetic disease.

Function/Duties of Position

• Obtains accurate personal and family history and interprets the data obtained in terms of genetic risks to the offspring and whether these conditions are detectable through various tests.
• Provide professional genetic counseling services and assist patients in understanding genetic disease or congenital anomalies.
• Documents in and updates medical records, works with the healthcare team apprised of the patients’ problems.
• Work as part of the healthcare team, dealing with a broad range of
• individuals such as the patient, referring physician, outside agencies, and OHSU physicians and staff.
• Coordinates handling and shipping of samples for specialized genetic testing.
• Work with managed care regarding insurance authorization for genetic testing as needed.
• Monitors information resulting from test results and reviews case for further evaluation to assure continuity of patient care and education of patient/family in nature of disease/problem.
• Assesses patients’ physical and emotional needs to plan appropriate subsequent care.
• Consult with patients and families facing emotional distress and assist them in understanding and coping with unexpected fetal and genetic findings.
• Receive and respond to inquiries regarding a wide range of genetic topics from a variety of individuals including health care providers, existing patients, and others in the community.
• Continue to keep current on advances in the field of genetics including continuing education.
• Participate in and attends case conferences, in services, and continuing education events which are relevant to the position.
• Supervise and train genetic counseling graduate students.
• Teaching responsibilities of CWH learners including OB/GYN residents, MFM and REI Fellows, as well as continuing education of referring providers .

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 5 years’ experience as a genetic counselor 
• Education: Master’s degree in human genetics and counseling or related field 
• Certifications/Licenses: Board certified as a genetic counselor by the American Board of Genetic Counselors

Preferred Qualifications

• Effective oral and written communication skills Effective organizational skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team Knowledge of psychosocial aspects of genetic counseling
• including risk perception, support mechanisms, coping mechanisms, relationships, and decision making processes
• Knowledge of available resources for practitioners and patients Ability to perform medical literature searches from various databases. Ability to read, understand, interpret, and extrapolate information found in the literature and apply to clinical situations
• Ability to identify, evaluate, develop, and administer appropriate educational materials to enhance patient understanding of potentially complex genetic information
• Ability to communicate with individuals from a broad range of socioeconomic, educational, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds

Additional Details

• Monday – Friday, days
• Provide in-person and/or virtual/remote consults to meet the needs of the clinic.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, push/pull, climb stairs, carry and lift up to thirty (35) pounds without undue
• strain, and other similar normal physical activities which may be inherent in the position described.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]