Genetic Counselors

Career summary

Genetic counselors learn the medical history of the patient. They talk with patients and read medical records. They decide if genetic testing is necessary. Counselors refer patients to a doctor or laboratory for the actual tests.

Genetic counselors meet with patients and their family to discuss test results. It is important that counselors remain neutral when providing this information. This enables patients to make informed and independent decisions. Counselors talk about cases that were similar, explain possible outcome scenarios, and discuss treatment options.

Genetic counselors address any emotional issues raised by the results of genetic tests. They refer patients and families to community or state support services.

Genetic counselors work with people who want to have children. They may work with people already pregnant who suspect there might be genetic problems. Some patients come with a specific problem. They know they have a genetic disorder, such as Huntington's disease, and need information about it. Or they have a family history of heart disease or cancer and want more information. With the advancements in the field of genetics, this is an expanding discipline.

Most genetic counselors work in a medical setting as part of a health care team. They may also work in:

• Diagnostic laboratories
• Health consulting
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Public health and education
• Research

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Addictions Counselors
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Mental Health Counselors
• Psychologists
• School Counselors
• School Psychologists
• Social and Community Service Managers
• Social Workers
• Special Education Teachers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to genetic counselors.

• Provide genetic counseling in areas such as pediatrics, obstetrics, and neurology.
• Counsel patients and family members by providing information, education, and reassurance.
• Interpret test results and communicate findings to patients and physicians.
• Discuss testing options, benefits, and risks with patients and families. Help them make informed decisions.
• Determine or coordinate treatment plans.
• Interview patients and review medical records to obtain a detailed family medical history.
• Analyze genetic information to identify those at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
• Provide patients with information about common conditions such as certain types of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.
• Stay up to date on developments in the field by talking to colleagues, reading new research, and attending professional meetings.
• Write reports to provide information on complex issues.
• Assess a patient's psychological and emotional needs related to diagnoses, financial concerns, and personal conflicts.
• Explain how certain diagnostic testing works.
• Refer patients to specialists or community resources.
• Maintain detailed records.

Common work activities

Genetic counselors perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Get information needed to do the job
• Assist and care for others
• Document and record information
• Use computers
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Process information
• Analyze data or information
• Perform for or work with the public
• Teach others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Evaluate information against standards
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Perform administrative tasks
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, genetic counselors:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high degree of social interaction. They interact with patients and medical staff throughout the day.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations in which patients and family members may be upset or angry.
• On a daily basis talk with patients and medical staff in person, via telephone, and through letters and memos.
• Often work as part of a medical team.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• May share office space with others.

Work performance

• Must be extremely exact and accurate when discussing genetic tests and results. Errors can seriously impact an individual's health.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that strongly impact patients and their families. They rarely consult with a supervisor or coworkers before making decisions.
• Are usually able to set their tasks for the day without consulting with coworkers or a supervisor.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.

Hours/travel

• Usually work 40 hours per week.
• May work overtime if there is a heavy client load.

Physical demands

Genetic counselors frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for genetic counselors to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for genetic counselors to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.

Skills and abilities

Genetic counselors need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Understand spoken information.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Use math and science

• Use scientific methods to solve problems.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Genetic Counseling

Other programs of study to consider

• Genetics
• Nursing
• Psychology, General
• Public and Community Health
• Social Work

Training

To work as a genetic counselor, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree; and
• have a master's degree in genetic counseling.

Education after high school

To work as a genetic counselor you need to complete a Master's of Genetic Counseling (MGC) degree program. This graduate program is generally two years in length. You complete course work, laboratory work, research experience, and clinical experience. Course work combines the sciences with the social sciences and may include genetics, diseases prognosis and treatment, psychology, ethical issues, counseling, and bereavement. There are over 30 accredited genetic counseling programs in the US.

You need a bachelor's degree to be accepted into this program. Genetic counselors come from many majors, including biology, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health, and social work. It's helpful to have some counseling experience in addition to a science background.

Work experience

Observing or interning with a genetic counselor is a great way to get experience as well as help you with your application for the master's program. Gaining experience in a counseling setting, such as volunteering for a crisis hotline, is also valuable. Some programs require you have experience before applying.

On-the-job training

The last part of the master's program is usually clinical work. This will be in a board-approved medical genetics center. Clinical work will apply the science you have learned with the counseling part of the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anthropology
• Child Development
• Ethnic and Gender Studies
• Parenting
• Psychology
• Sociology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer applicants who have relevant work experience. Internships and volunteer work are good ways to get experience. Some employers hire graduates who completed internships in their medical practice. Employers also look for people who are dedicated and have excellent communication skills.

Genetic counselors must keep their scientific skills up to date and at the same time, help patients through difficult and stressful periods in their life.

Costs to workers

Some workers join professional associations, which may have annual dues.

Licensing/certification

In Washington, genetic counselors must be licensed by the Department of Health. Currently, licensing requirements are:

• having a master or doctorate degree from a program approved by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) or the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG);
• passing the American Board of Genetic Counseling or American Board of Medical Genetics Certification Examination; and
• completing four hours of AIDS education and training.

Counselors must renew their license every year and complete 75 hours of continuing education every three years after their initial license renewal
.
The State licensing fee for genetic counselors is $200 for the application and $200 for annual license renewal. The ABGC certification examination cost is currently $900.

For more information contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Genetic Counselor Program 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877

For more information about examinations and approved programs, see:

American Board of Genetic Counseling 

#Updated cert exam fee 4/3/12 cj.Fees fine 3/28/13 lh. Added renewal info; fees still ok, 3/12/14 cj. updated state fees & exam fee 2/18/15 lh, exam fee 3/22/17 state fees okay. lh. Fees, licensing info ok, 4/2/18 cj. updated urls, all else fine 2/25/19

Wages

Pay varies by employer, area of the country, and the worker's level of experience.

Genetic counselors who work full time may receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Clinics
• Laboratories
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Hospitals

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is growing very fast. However, it is a very small occupation and very few new jobs will be created. As people become more aware of genetics and as genetic interventions develop, genetic counselors will experience growth in their field. More public awareness, coupled with scientific advances in adult disorders and reproductive technologies, have increased the demand for genetic counselors in clinical, teaching, administrative, commercial, private practice, and consulting environments.

Job prospects will be best for those with certifications.

Other resources

American Board of Genetic Counseling 
4400 College Blvd. Suite 220
Overland Park, KS 66211
913.222.8661

Explore Health Careers: Genetic Counselor 

Genetics Education Center (University of Kansas Medical Center) 

Genetics Society of America 
6120 Executive Boulevard, Suite 550
Rockville, MD 20852

List of accredited genetic counseling programs 

National Society of Genetic Counselors 
330 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60611
312.321.6834

The American Society of Human Genetics 
6120 Executive Blvd., Suite 500
Rockville, MD 20852
301.634.7300

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupation

• Genetic Counselors (29-9092.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

Holland occupational cluster

• Social/Investigative/Artistic

COPSystem

• Service Professional