Genetic Counsellor Job In Dublin

Job Description

Location: On site / Lucan, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Job Type: Contract / Full-time
Sector and Subsector: Medical & Healthcare | Nursing & Midwifery
Salary: Competitive Salary

About the Role

The purpose of this post is to contribute to the provision of a comprehensive, specialist, high quality genetic counselling service for families at risk of inherited diseases and to develop a research programme in cancer genetics under the guidance of Professor Gallagher.

In conjunction with the Consultant Geneticist, the post holder will:

• Comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis, probable course of the disorder, and the available management.
• Appreciate the way heredity contributes to the disorder, and the risk of recurrence in specified relatives.
• Understand the options (including genetic testing) for dealing with the risk.
• Choose the course of action most appropriate for them.
• Make the best possible adjustment to the disorder/risk of the disorder.
• Provide expert knowledge, information and psychological support for all patients referred to the service.
• Attend outpatients and meet patients and their families in clinics.
• Confirm diagnostic information from clinical records and provide normal, uncertain, and abnormal test results to patients and healthcare professionals.
• Communicate highly sensitive and potentially distressing information to patients and relatives about their genetic status with implications for biological and social family relationships.
• Use counselling skills to facilitate decision making and promote adjustment in patients and family members.
• Use specialised counselling skills to communicate sensitively in the presence of language, cultural or ethical issues.
• Ensure the best possible standard of work by applying scientific and clinical understanding and counselling expertise to unique clinical situations.
• Work in collaboration with the Oncology Team in relation to treatment plans.
• Order genetics tests as clinically appropriate and according to agreed guidelines.
• Maintain a full and accurate record of work undertaken in both manual and computerised records and preserve their confidentiality.
• Liaise, facilitate and maintain communications with laboratory colleagues to communicate clinical information necessary for appropriate genetic testing.
• Liaise regionally, nationally and internationally with other genetics centres, laboratories, and a range of clinical departments.
• Calculate risks for a range of genetic disorders, including carrier risks, recurrence risks for pregnancy, and risk of becoming affected for patients and their relatives.
• Attend weekly departmental clinical meetings to participate in discussion and feedback on clinical cases.
• Discuss cases with ethical complexity with colleagues at weekly clinical meetings.
• Offer psychological support to patients during cancer genetic risk assessment and genetic testing.
• Assess patients to determine the need for specialist therapeutic counselling or psychiatric assessment, and make appropriate referrals.
• Establish and develop specialist advice and act in a supportive role for the patient's relatives and caregivers affected by hereditary cancer.
• Work as part of the multidisciplinary team liaising with other specialist teams as required.
• Assess the patient's needs for health education and inform and advise patients, families, and caregivers of details of and access to education and support resources.
• Update and develop relevant protocols and standards relating to counselling in Cancer Genetics cancer care.
• Endeavour to achieve for all individuals seen a good understanding of the genetics information and the best possible adjustment to the presence of genetic disease in their family.
• Communicate with, and support, patients who are recently bereaved.
• Identify and respond to emerging issues for the patient or family over an open-ended time period.
• Present findings of research, audit and clinical practice regionally, nationally, or internationally.

Education & Experience

• An Approved Master of Science degree in Genetic/Genomic Counselling.
• OR Attainment of the NHS Scientific Training Programme (STP) in Genomic Counselling.
• OR A qualification recognised for professional registration via the grandfather clause by the GCRB/AHCS or an equivalent overseas Genetic Counselling Board/Regulatory Body with current registration.
• Professional experience in a Clinical Genetics setting is desirable.
• Professional registration with the GCRB/AHCS or EBMG.

Why work at the Hermitage Clinic

The Hermitage Clinic is passionate about our people and believes in their development and growth. As a member of the Hermitage Clinic team, you can benefit from:

The Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality at all levels of the organisation. If you require assistance due to a disability during the recruitment process, please email

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