What is a Genetic Counselor?

What is a Genetic Counselor?

Expertise in medical genetics and counseling define the role of genetic counselors, who possess a unique knowledge set to support families and individuals.

Genetic Counseling is an educational process whereby clinicians assess and explain how genetic variants may influence an individual's health. It also involves providing emotional support and equipping patients with the knowledge to make informed healthcare decisions.

How Genetic Counselling Roles Have Changed from Tradition

Historically, genetic counselors were primarily found in hospitals or clinics. Although many still operate in such settings, such as pediatric hospitals, cancer clinics, and OB/GYN offices, a genetic counselor's role may include meeting with patients who have cancer or a family history of cancer. This includes collecting family histories, elucidating the risk of hereditary forms of cancer, providing genetic testing if appropriate, composing the test if requested by the patient, informing customers about the results of the tests and accompanying follow-up recommendations for them and their family members.

OB/GYN offices, genetic counselors regularly meet with expecting parents (and their support people) to outline the genetic tests routinely administered during pregnancy or those that may be available due to anomalies detected on ultrasound.

Prenatal genetic counselors collaborate with an OB/GYN to clarify the testing options, place orders for the test, decipher the results, explain follow-up measures to the patients, and render psychological support.

Pediatric genetic counselors typically convene with pediatric patients and their families, in conjunction with a geneticist, to gather a medical and familial history for children exhibiting birth disparities or neurological differences.

These are just a few common roles for clinical genetic counselors. From preconception genetic counseling to pharmacogenetics, there are dozens of specialized areas to choose from, including psychiatry, neurology, cardiology and personalized medicine. Genetic counselors can work in many different environments too, not just university medical centers and private practices.

Genetic Counselors Widen Scope of Duties beyond Patient Care

Since 2010, genetic counselors have broadened the scope of their duties beyond just patient-related tasks. Essential roles now extend to diagnostic laboratories, academic institutions, non-profit organizations focusing on rare diseases, insurance carriers, pharmaceutical corporations and state bodies.

Nowadays, genetic counselors fulfill a wide range of roles, from never speaking to patients to interpreting genetic variants and overseeing research and grant applications. These professionals can ascend upwards as managers, supervisors, or directors in their organization, or even embark on entrepreneurial endeavors by starting their own businesses.

Holding a degree in genetic counseling opens the door to an abundance of possibilities with no limits. The exciting prospects are virtually endless and widely varied.

Pursue a Rewarding Career - Get Your Genetic Counselor Master's Degree Now!

If you seek a rewarding career that offers ample flexibility and generous salary prospects with only a two-year master's degree, consider becoming a genetic counselor.

Expertise in medical genetics and counseling define the role of genetic counselors, who possess a unique knowledge set to support families and individuals.

Genetic Counseling is an educational process whereby clinicians assess and explain how genetic variants may influence an individual's health. It also involves providing emotional support and equipping patients with the knowledge to make informed healthcare decisions.

How Genetic Counselling Roles Have Changed from Tradition

Historically, genetic counselors were primarily found in hospitals or clinics. Although many still operate in such settings, such as pediatric hospitals, cancer clinics, and OB/GYN offices, a genetic counselor's role may include meeting with patients who have cancer or a family history of cancer. This includes collecting family histories, elucidating the risk of hereditary forms of cancer, providing genetic testing if appropriate, composing the test if requested by the patient, informing customers about the results of the tests and accompanying follow-up recommendations for them and their family members.

OB/GYN offices, genetic counselors regularly meet with expecting parents (and their support people) to outline the genetic tests routinely administered during pregnancy or those that may be available due to anomalies detected on ultrasound.

Prenatal genetic counselors collaborate with an OB/GYN to clarify the testing options, place orders for the test, decipher the results, explain follow-up measures to the patients, and render psychological support.

Pediatric genetic counselors typically convene with pediatric patients and their families, in conjunction with a geneticist, to gather a medical and familial history for children exhibiting birth disparities or neurological differences.

These are just a few common roles for clinical genetic counselors. From preconception genetic counseling to pharmacogenetics, there are dozens of specialized areas to choose from, including psychiatry, neurology, cardiology and personalized medicine. Genetic counselors can work in many different environments too, not just university medical centers and private practices.

Genetic Counselors Widen Scope of Duties beyond Patient Care

Since 2010, genetic counselors have broadened the scope of their duties beyond just patient-related tasks. Essential roles now extend to diagnostic laboratories, academic institutions, non-profit organizations focusing on rare diseases, insurance carriers, pharmaceutical corporations and state bodies.

Nowadays, genetic counselors fulfill a wide range of roles, from never speaking to patients to interpreting genetic variants and overseeing research and grant applications. These professionals can ascend upwards as managers, supervisors, or directors in their organization, or even embark on entrepreneurial endeavors by starting their own businesses.

Holding a degree in genetic counseling opens the door to an abundance of possibilities with no limits. The exciting prospects are virtually endless and widely varied.

Pursue a Rewarding Career - Get Your Genetic Counselor Master's Degree Now!

If you seek a rewarding career that offers ample flexibility and generous salary prospects with only a two-year master's degree, consider becoming a genetic counselor.