Genetic Counsellor: Cancer Genetics

Applicants must have a recognised genetic counselling qualification (MSc) and GCRB Registration or eligibility to register within the next 2 years. Applicants who have sufficient experience and the appropriate qualifications to be eligible to work towards registration may be employed at Annexe U/Band 6 level (Search GCRB Org). Evidence of delivering a Band 7 Genetic Counsellor case load will be required for those aspiring to this level.

The post holder will have an autonomous caseload covering cancer genetics. The post holder will work as part of a strong multidisciplinary team and be required to interact with other specialties across the Trust to enable mainstreaming, embedded and multi-disciplinary clinics and educational initiatives.

The team of Genetic Counsellors, Nurses, Clinical Psychologists and Research Practitioners constitutes a key part of this busy and well supported service.

Undertake an autnomous case load of patients referred into the cancer genetic counselling team including genetic testing and relevant management.

Contribute to the education and training of trainees, colleagues and wider multidisciplinary team in cancer genetics.

Practice according to departmental and trust policies.

Maintain professional registration and proactively utilise counselling supervision to maintian personal and professional boundaries and development.

Contribute to and undertake clinical audits, QIPS, SOPs, patient leaflets and other protocols as needed by the service.

Comply with trust clinical governance processes, undertake risk reporting and maintain patient safety.

Work across cancer and associated services to provide genetic counselling input to enhance the engagement, uptake and utilisation of clinical genetics services.

Genetic Counselling team

The Genetic Counselling team is based within the Clinical Genetics Department at Guy’s Hospital but undertake clinical activity through a combination of virtual and in person appointments across our region including travelling to peripheral sites. All take part in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level and many are active in national and international organisations. There are opportunities to be involved in research and audit, with an expectation that work will be presented at national and international conferences and meetings. Genetic Counsellor Registration is actively promoted. However, the department has a long-standing reputation for being a stimulating, challenging and happy environment committed to developing our staff and providing excellent clinical services. The team has a national and international reputation for high standards of practice and patient care. International collaborations with countries developing genetic counselling services is supported through commercial ventures. Genetic Counsellors also lead and deliver several formal courses that attract an international audience. The team is known for being forward thinking, dynamic and autonomous. A supportive and accountable environment with a clear team ethos lies at the core of the genetic counselling team that also has the richness of clinical psychology, research nurses and family history nursing colleagues within it.

**Responsibilities**:
Communication with patients and families

Elicit client’s concerns and expectations and accurately document client’s detailed family history.

Interpret medical, family and psychological history and confirm diagnoses.

Identify and respond to emerging issues for the client or family.

Interpret and communicate normal and abnormal genetic test results to patients and their health care professionals.

Organise, lead or partake in co-counselling with colleagues to provide predictive testing.

Expertly communicate highly sensitive and potentially psychologically damaging information, which may cause high levels of distress such as giving a positive predictive testing result for hereditary cancer.

Communicate with patients who are bereaved and provide support, e.g. around termination of pregnancy. Liaise with relevant colleagues to arrange termination of pregnancy following an abnormal prenatal result, referrals for risk reducing surgery and cancer surveillance.

Use advanced counselling skills to counsel patients about various testing options and to facilitate decision-making.

Identify and manage conflict within families created by sensitive genetic information.

Manage conflict when patients’ demands are incompatible to professional responsibilities and resource.

Deal with patients who have great difficulty accepting a clinical diagnosis or a genetic test result.

Use advanced counselling skills to communicate sensitively in the presence of language, cultural and/or medical issues. Work with interpreters.

Prepare and dictate letters to patients summarising clinic discussions and giving test results.

Develop and utilise patient information leaflets in the Departmental series.

Communication with Colleagues

Liaise with labora