Genetic Counselors

social interests patient genetics data support risk information family condition

Certified Genetic Counselor, Genetic Counselor, Prenatal and Pediatric Genetic Counselor, Reproductive Genetic Counseling Coordinator

What they do:
Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.
On the job, you would:
  • Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
  • Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
  • Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.

Knowledge

Math and Science

  • biology
  • psychology

Health

  • medicine and dentistry
  • therapy and counseling

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Business

  • customer service

Skills

Basic Skills

  • reading work related information
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • looking for ways to help people

Abilities

Verbal

  • read and understand what is written
  • communicate by speaking

Ideas and Logic

  • use rules to solve problems
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Concern for Others
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Self Control
  • Cooperation
  • Dependability

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software

  • Database software
  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology In Demand

Medical software

  • Prognosis Innovation Healthcare ChartAccess
  • Wageningen MapChart

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
master's degree
usually needed

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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about genetic counselors.