The cancer genetic counselor provides genetic counseling and cancer risk assessment services at University Medical Center New Orleans (UMCNO) to individuals with a personal and/or family history of cancer, including those at risk for hereditary cancer syndromes.  These referrals come from a variety of internal and external sources.  The genetic counselor will work with a supervisory cancer genetic counselor at this institution, and provide education to other healthcare providers and attend various tumor board conferences.

The genetic counselor must be able to work with patients who have diverse cultural backgrounds, diverse life experience, education levels, life styles and socioeconomic statuses.  Sensitivity and the ability to work with patients confidentially and positively are essential.

Knowledge of health care systems, health insurance authorization processes, community resources and the ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team are essential skills and knowledge required for this genetic counselor position.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develops, implements, and maintains cancer genetic counseling services
• Provides cancer risk assessments
• Facilitates genetic testing process, including informed consent and discloses results to patient
• Counsels patients and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance regarding genetic risks and inherited conditions
• Provides standard recommendations for cancer screening and prevention based on patient’s personalized risks
• Communicates all genetic test results, cancer risk estimates, and standard recommendations to patient and any referring physicians
• Documents other patient interactions as appropriate
• Collaborates and coordinates patient care with other disciplines and medical specialties
• Responds to relevant inquiries from patients, staff and physicians
• Collaborates with other health care professionals to provide genetic counseling/testing services to patients, when necessary
• Regularly attends and actively participates in tumor boards
• Assists with research protocols when applicable
• Responds to relevant inquiries from patients, staff and physicians
• Keeps abreast of developments in genetics and genomics
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Education:    

• Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling or Human Genetics from a college or university program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) or a Master’s degree in clinical or medical genetics prior to the establishment of the ACGC

If Other Required Education, please specify:    

• American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) certified or board-eligible genetic counselor; board certification is required according to the availability of the certification exam
• Provisional Temporary Genetic Counselor License through Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) for individuals with active candidate status from ABGC, followed by a Genetic Counselor License upon passing the ABGC certification exam