Genetics Counselor jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Position Objective: Provide services as a Genetics Counselor in support of the overall functions of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Contractor will independently provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of the National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research. The primary objective is to provide services and deliverables through performance of Genetic Counseling services.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide genetic education and counseling by (1) performing cancer risk assessments including personal and family health histories, creates a three-generation pedigree from the information collected, assesses for prior germline and/or somatic genetic testing, determines patients educational and psychosocial needs; (2) documenting the Genetic Education and Counseling encounter in CRIS including completing the pedigree tab and completing a Genetic Consult note; (3) recognizing and addressing social and psychological support needs for individual patients and their families; (4) facilitating local support resources for continuity of care; and (5) maintaining contact with advocacy, volunteer and/or service health organizations. 1
• Perform research to develop clinical research studies including but not limited to (1) quantitative or qualitative research into the impact of genomic conditions upon probands and/or family members; (2) intervention studies that explore or test alternative approaches to genetic counseling of families; and (3) development of practical tools for the assessment and treatment of psychosocial needs, or other relevant studies. 4
• Perform research to work collaboratively with the CCR Intramural Research Investigators to meet the genomic research needs of their patients and/or protocols including providing input on genomic methods or procedures relevant to the investigators protocol. 5
• Perform research to submit regulatory paperwork as required for all research prior to initiation.
• Perform research to report on findings from research including but not limited to (1) submit abstracts as applicable for relevant meetings; (2) present findings in the form of poster or podium presentations; and (3) contribute as an author (lead or co-author) as indicated on manuscripts for peer reviewed publications from personal and/or research team research.
• Perform research to identify research problems or deficiencies in protocols and initiates corrective action.
• Perform research to determine the time and resources needed to implement a research study.
• Provide genetic testing to (1) identify patients who are candidates for germline or paired germline/somatic genetic testing including from team specific clinical case conferences; (2) respond to consults for both adult and pediatric cases for germline or paired germline/somatic genetic testing, or case reviews as indicated; (3) establish the optimal germline test to order if applicable based on evidence-based guidelines and/or the peer reviewed literature; (4) provide pre-test genetic education, responds to all questions from the patient/family and obtains in-formed consent for testing as applicable; (5) for tests not available at the NIH, enters the genetic test order with the applicable laboratory; (6) determine the optimal sample type for collection, (i.e. blood, saliva, buccal swab, skin fibroblasts) and makes the sample collection arrangements; (7) facilitate sample delivery to the laboratory; (8) submit required information for billing for testing at outside laboratories as applicable (i.e., OMS, POTS); (9) track submitted samples for delivery of results; (10) inform the investigator that generated the consult of the results of findings from the genetic testing; (11) deliver post-test genetic education and counseling regarding the results to the patient, family; and (12) upload the genetic test results in in CRIS. 2
• Provides documentation by (1) collecting outside patient/family records as indicated (i.e. outside genetic test reports, cancer confirming medical records); (2) uploading collected medical records into CRIS; (3) creating a Genetic Consult note for all patients seen including appending the note with any follow-up, (i.e. genetic test results if applicable); and (4) tracking all patient encounters for periodic clinical reporting requests as part of documenting the Clinical Cancer Genetics Program activities. 3
• Participates in the weekly Clinical Cancer Genetics Program Clinical Case Conference (1) identify cases for presentation that cover important education/training concepts; (2) being prepared for case conference with relevant cases, history, pedigree, genetic test results if applicable, literature, etc.; and (3) presenting in a clear and precise way and responds to all questions.
• Mentors genetic counseling student clinical experiences involving genetic education and counseling, assessment and management of psychosocial needs of patient/family, establishing the differential genetic diagnosis, performing genetic risk assessment, determining eligibility for genetic testing, laboratory selection, and consent for testing as applicable.
• Mentors genetic counseling student pedigree construction, documentation and other documentation.
• Works with students to help brainstorm and refine potential research thesis ideas.
• Provide documentation of any and/or all work product, including, but not limited to work products and documents relating to volume and types of patients seen for clinical genetic services. - Ad-Hoc
• Provide documentation of any and/or all work product, including, but not limited to work products and documents relating to volume and types of students mentored. - Ad-Hoc
• Provide documentation of any and/or all work product, including, but not limited to work products and documents relating to clinical research activities. - Ad-Hoc
• Provide documentation of any and/or all work product, including, but not limited to work products and documents relating to compliance with the genetic test payment procedures (POTs, OMS). - Ad-Hoc
• Provide documentation of any and/or all work product, including, but not limited to work products and documents relating to training to maintain credentialing and board certification. - Ad-Hoc

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling or related discipline.
• Graduate from a Genetic Counseling Training Program.
• Board certified or board eligible in for certification in Genetic Counseling by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
• Skilled in CRIS.
• Experienced in performing genetic testing and genetic education and counseling.
• Ability to collect, upload, create, and track genetic documentation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to multi-task and pay close attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by this position.  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

GAP Solutions provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job us at recruiting@gapsi.com. You will need to reference the requisition number of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need an accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a requisition number will not be returned.

GAP Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, sex, religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, familial status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status or characteristics.

This position is contingent upon contract award.