How Can I Shadow a Genetic Counselor? Updated 2024
Discover how to shadow a genetic counselor and gain valuable insights into the field of genetic counseling. Learn the steps and tips to get started.
SCHOOL ADVICEAPPLICATION HELP
Shadowing a genetic counselor can provide invaluable experience and insight into this specialized field. For those considering a career in genetic counseling, shadowing offers a unique opportunity to observe professionals in action, understand the nuances of patient interactions, and gain a clearer understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities of a genetic counselor. This guide will outline the steps to shadow a genetic counselor and offer tips to make the most of the experience.
How Can I Shadow a Genetic Counselor?
The Importance of Shadowing a Genetic Counselor
Gaining hands-on experience is crucial for anyone considering a career in genetic counseling. By shadowing a genetic counselor, you can observe their interactions with patients, understand the complexities of genetic conditions, and learn about the latest advancements in genetic testing. Shadowing provides a real-world perspective that complements academic learning, helping you to make an informed decision about pursuing this career.
Steps to Shadow a Genetic Counselor
Research and Identify Potential Counselors
Start by researching genetic counselors in your area. However, the CIG team has compiled a list of resources from around the web to help start your search. There are likely other opportunities not listed on this site, but we hope this helps start your journey.
Prepare a Professional Request
Craft a polite and professional email or letter to potential counselors. Introduce yourself, explain your interest in genetic counseling, and express your desire to shadow them. Highlight any relevant academic or volunteer experience, and be sure to convey your enthusiasm for learning from their expertise.
Follow Up and Be Persistent
If you don't receive a response initially, don't be discouraged. Follow up with a second email or call after a week or two. Persistence can demonstrate your genuine interest and dedication.
Complete Any Necessary Paperwork
Some healthcare facilities may require you to complete paperwork or background checks before shadowing. Be prepared to comply with any such requirements to ensure a smooth process.
Schedule and Confirm the Shadowing Experience
Once a counselor agrees to let you shadow them, work with them to schedule a convenient time. Confirm the details a few days before the scheduled date to ensure there are no last-minute changes.
Potential Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Finding Willing Counselors
It may be challenging to find a genetic counselor who is available and willing to be shadowed. Be persistent in your search, and consider reaching out to multiple professionals or institutions.
Handling Rejection
Not all requests to shadow will be accepted. Don’t take it personally. Thank the counselor for considering your request and ask if they might know of any colleagues who could help.
Managing Confidentiality
Patient confidentiality is paramount in healthcare. Always respect the privacy of patients and adhere to any confidentiality agreements or guidelines provided by the counselor.
Possible Shadowing Opportunities in the Alabama Area
The UAB site also lists other shadowing opportunities and contact on its website. Take a look for updated information, however, this is as of September 2023.
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL -
Email Meagan Cochran at mcochran@hudsonalpha.org
if you are interested in shadowing. HudsonAlpha also offers a variety of summer internships, including an internship in genetic counseling.
Clearview Cancer Institute, Huntsville, AL -
Email genetics@ccihsv.com to make a shadow request.
Provide name, year in school, and potential dates of interest. CCI has shadowing paperwork that needs to be filled out before the shadow date, but that will be sent to the shadower once a date is confirmed.
Mitchell Cancer Institute, Mobile, AL -
Email Cassie Gurganus at cagurganus@health.southalabama.edu to learn more about shadowing opportunities.
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS -
Email or call Glenda Hicks to learn more about shadowing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Glenda’s email is gyhicks@umc.edu, and her phone number is 601-984-1900.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham boasts an exemplary genetic counseling shadowing program. According to the UAB website, students can participate in such opportunities from May-August and December. Applicants are required to submit all forms and documents, after which they will be added to a waiting list and contacted once shadowing chances become available.
UAB Shadowing
https://www.uab.edu/shp/cds/genetic-counseling/students/prospective-students
UAB Genetic Counseling Case Series
With its own genetic counseling shadowing case series, UAB provides prospective students with the incomparable chance to gain knowledge and experience even without a direct shadowing opportunity.
UAB's unique genetic counseling shadowing case series provides students with the invaluable opportunity to explore the field of genetic counseling through an indirect shadowing experience. This groundbreaking program is designed to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of the profession without having to be physically present in a counseling setting. UAB's innovative genetic counseling shadowing case series provides an excellent learning experience and is truly a gift for those seeking to enter the field of genetic counseling.
Simulated Genetic Counseling Case Series
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
University of South Carolina
Absorb invaluable expertise in the realm of genetics by shadowing counselors at the University of South Carolina. Begin your journey by simply clicking the link and following the instructed steps on the programs website.
Shadow a GC at Medical University of South Carolina
https://chp.musc.edu/academics/genetic-counseling/prospective-student-resources
The University of Iowa
Shadowing A Genetic Counselor at University of Iowa
Gain invaluable experience in the field of genetics by shadowing counselors at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics - simply email iihg@uiowa.edu to get started. A brief questionnaire inquiring about your interests and motivations for shadowing will be required. Unfortunately, virtual shadowing opportunities are currently not available.
Shadowing A GC at University of Iowa
https://medicine.uiowa.edu/humangenetics/follow-applying-genetic-counseling-programs-event
Iowa's Summer Internship in Genetic Counseling
https://humangenetics.medicine.uiowa.edu/education-division/summer-internship-genetic-counseling
Columbia University
Columbia University offers several open houses and webinars for prospective students. However, the program also offers an experiential practicum. The program from Columbia allows students to gain valuable insight into the essential clinical functions of a genetic counselor through our practicum program. Those accepted will virtually collaborate with our in-house specialist genetic counselors, observing and discussing client interactions in reproductive genetics, general genetics, cancer genetics, and neurogenetics clinics.
Students admitted into the practicum will gain the unique experience of attending an interdisciplinary genetics meeting hosted on our campus (virtually) as well as joining a journal club which focuses on the clinical nuances of genetic counseling and interacting with clients.
This link will take you to the Columbia page offering resources and application updates to the experiential practicum.
Medical College of Wisconsin
The Medical College of Wisconsin presents the Genetic Counseling Career Research & Exploration Workshop, an online program for undergraduates, recent graduates and prospective practitioners to gain comprehensive insights into their chosen career. This free workshop takes place during the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms and is designed for individuals who aspire to become genetic counselors.
Genetic Counseling Career Research & Exploration Workshop
Opportunities in Wisconsin to Shadow a Genetic Counselor
Wisconsin is an ideal location to explore the burgeoning field of genetic counseling. With a plethora of institutions, including universities, research centers, hospitals, and clinics, Wisconsin offers aspiring genetic counselors vast opportunities to gain experience and insight into the practice. By shadowing a current genetic counselor, prospective practitioners can get an inside look into the clinical aspects of genetic counseling, such as risk assessment, genetic testing interpretation, and reporting, as well as the counseling and support services that constitute the core of the profession. Furthermore, they can observe firsthand how established genetic counselors interact with their clients and collaborate with other health professionals. Shadowing is an invaluable resource for those interested in the field, as it allows them to develop a deep understanding of the complexities of genetic counseling and gain an appreciation for the critical role it plays in helping patients make informed decisions about their health and futures.
Wisconsin Genetics Clinics/Genetic Counseling Sites Offering Job Shadows
Observers aged 18 and over must meet the requirements of each observation site, which may entail executing a confidentiality agreement, submitting immunization documents, or completing an application form. Kindly note that processing applications may take up to several weeks.
Feel free to contact the listed persons and inquire about shadowing with a genetic counselor.
PRENATAL
Aurora Health Care
Multiple Clinical locations
Contact: Kate Stuewe (kate.stuewe@aah.org)
Gundersen Health System
La Crosse, WI Contact: David Seiffert (djseiffe@gundersenhealth.org)
UnityPoint Health - Meriter Madison, WI
Contact: Laura Dattilo (laura.dattilo@unitypoint.org)
CANCER
Aurora Health Care
Multiple Clinical locations
Contact: Kate Stuewe (kate.stuewe@aah.org)
Gundersen Health System
La Crosse, WI Contact: David Seiffert (djseiffe@gundersenhealth.org)
ProHealth Care Waukesha, WI
Contact: Margo Grady (margo.grady@phci.org) Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19
ThedaCare Appleton, WI
Contact: Alyson Krokosky (alyson.krokosky@thedacare.org)
UW Health Madison, WI
Contact: Angela Tess (atess@uwhealth.org)
PEDIATRIC
Children’s Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI
Contact: Kaegan Mestel (kmestel@mcw.edu)
Gundersen Health System
La Crosse, WI Contact: David Seiffert (djseiffe@gundersenhealth.org)
UW Health
Madison, WI Contact: mgcs@pediatrics.wisc.edu Temporarily suspended due to COVID-19
GENERAL
HSHS St. Vincent Green Bay, WI
Contact: Brooke Sample (brooke.sample@hshs.org)
The Genetic Counseling Experience Initiative (GCEI)
Aims to enhance awareness of genetic counseling by fostering meaningful connections between genetic counselors and prospective students. This initiative features virtual journal clubs and case series presentations. Stay updated with GCEI across various platforms to discover their upcoming presentations.
Indiana University
At Indiana University, the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics offers an invaluable experience for students aged 18 or above to explore the essence of genetic counseling through first-hand shadowing.
IU Link to Request to Shadow a GC
The Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic offers a Genetic Counseling Informational Interview and Shadowship program. This program aims to equip undergraduate and graduate students eager to enter the field of genetic counseling with a worthwhile learning experience.
The program will allow participants to gauge if genetic counseling is the ideal career path for you by undertaking an informational phone interview with a genetic counselor and shadowing one over the course of a day or half. This will enable you to gain insightful information and invaluable experience that will further inform your decision.
Mayo Clinic Genetic Counseling Informational Interview & Shadowship Application
The link to the google document can be found here.
Gain a Comprehensive Overview of the Genetic Counselor Profession with Online Courses
THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI GENETIC COUNSELING GRADUATE PROGRAM
This online portal offers courses pertaining to genetic counseling, including the Genetic Counseling Case Series, which provides an introductory overview of the genetic counseling field through illustrative clinical and laboratory case studies.
For a full list of courses offered here
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA: GENETIC COUNSELING ONLINE COURSE
This course harnesses lectures, professional literature readings, and hands-on activities to cultivate your knowledge of the profession and equip you for success in graduate school.
For a full list of courses offered here
JOHNS HOPKINS GENETIC ASSISTANT ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM
The program includes two fully online, 10-week courses that offer a comprehensive foundation in molecular genetics, laboratory science, and clinical medicine, designed for anyone aspiring to work in clinical genetics.
Spring: February 5–April 12, 2024
Summer: June 3 –August 9, 2024
Fall: September 9–Nov 15, 2024
For more information visit their website here
FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF GENETIC COUNSELORS
The Florida Association of Genetic Counselors has a list of GCs in its association and an indication if they would be open to shadowing opportunities.
Find the Directory Here
Baylor College Of Medicine Genetic Counselor Shadowing
Currently, clinical shadowing opportunities with our genetic counselors are very limited. However, our genetic counselors are available for one-on-one informational interviews, allowing you to learn more about the profession and specific subspecialties. To be considered for these opportunities, please provide a copy of your CV/resume for review. Contact Amanda Gerard at Amanda.Gerard@bcm.edu to request information about potential shadowing and/or informational interview opportunities with a genetic counseling faculty member at Baylor College of Medicine. For general inquiries regarding the Genetic Counseling Program, please reach out to gcprogramadmissions@bcm.edu.
