Job summary
The North East Thames Regional Genetics Service is seeking a Registered Genetic Counsellor to join our dynamic multidisciplinary team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the delivery of high-quality genetic counselling for patients and families across the NE Thames region.
About the Role
You will:
Provide expert genetic counselling for individuals and families referred to the service, across cancer, rare disease and prenatal genetics, delivered through virtual clinics or face-to-face appointments across the region. The focus of this role will be rare-disease and prenatal genetics.
Support patients through complex decision-making processes, including diagnostic testing, predictive testing, carrier screening, and reproductive planning.
Work closely with the wider genetic counselling team, clinical geneticists, administrative personnel, laboratory scientists, and other healthcare professionals to ensure integrated patient care.
Contribute to service development, audit, and education initiatives within the department.
Actively participate in multidisciplinary meetings and regional collaborations.
Main duties of the job
About You
For appointment at Band 7 you should be a registered GC with the Academy for Healthcare Science , Health and Care Professionals Council or recognised overseas registration body with a reciprocity agreement in place with GC Registration Advisory Board.
Strong communication and empathetic counselling skills.
Experience / interest in rare disease and/or prenatal genetics is desirable.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced clinical environment and to ability to promote an innovative and progressive attitude to the continual improvement of the genetics service.
Our Population
We serve 5.5 million people, one of the UK's most diverse populations spanning a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This diversity brings unique challenges and opportunities for genomic healthcare. We value professionals who can adapt and promote inclusive practice.
What We Offer
Professional Development: Access to structured CPD, mentorship and opportunities to attend a wide range of conferences and opportunities
Innovation & Research: Opportunities to recruit families to research and to contribute to service development initiatives
Education & Teaching: Involvement in training healthcare professionals and students with links to academic institutions
Supportive Environment: A supportive and collaborative team culture that values wellbeing and diversity
Hybrid Working: We have hybrid working arrangements agreed with the team
About us
GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.
We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed.We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.
We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.
We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women's staff networks.
Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust's mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
Person Specification
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential
- First degree in relevant subject and MSc in Genetic Counselling OR Graduate Nurse or Midwife with two years post-registration experience plus counselling skills training of at least 120 hours and an accredited genetics science course of at least 30 hours OR Completion of STP Clinical Scientist (Genomic Counsellor) training
- Registered Genetic Counsellor with AHCS: if not AHCS Registered, appointment on band 6 is possible with the expectation that Registration is obtained within 3 years of appointment. OR Registered Genetic Counsellor (clinical scientist) with the HCPC OR Registered with an overseas body which has a reciprocity agreement in place with the GCRAB / AHCS and be willing to commit to register with the AHCS within 1-2 years of appointment.
Desirable
- Approved GCRAB Sign Off Mentor
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of continued professional development-reviewing current practice and research developments and application to clinical practice
- Working with people who are distressed
- Understanding of professional and current issues related to genetics, the NHS, and relevant fields
- Works within AGNC code of ethics and the GCRAB code of conduct
- Familiarity with databases, ICT and word processing
- Understanding of audit and research methodologies
- Experience of dealing with families with genetic disorders
- Experience of managing an individual caseload
- Knowledge and awareness of safeguarding procedures
Desirable
- Significant independent experience in genetic counselling
- Previous experience of research and audit
- Understanding of resource management, health and safety and clinical governance
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously and manage an independent caseload
- Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
- Excellent organisational skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills
- Able to problem solve and initiate change
- Self-discipline and good time management to support periods of lone working
- Obtain or Maintain Registration with AHCS / HCPC within agreed time frames
- Ability and willing to travel to clinics across North and East London and Essex
Desirable
- Ability to analyse research findings to inform practice development
- Ability to undertake phlebotomy
- Proven ability to teach and educate professionals and families
Person Specification
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential
- First degree in relevant subject and MSc in Genetic Counselling OR Graduate Nurse or Midwife with two years post-registration experience plus counselling skills training of at least 120 hours and an accredited genetics science course of at least 30 hours OR Completion of STP Clinical Scientist (Genomic Counsellor) training
- Registered Genetic Counsellor with AHCS: if not AHCS Registered, appointment on band 6 is possible with the expectation that Registration is obtained within 3 years of appointment. OR Registered Genetic Counsellor (clinical scientist) with the HCPC OR Registered with an overseas body which has a reciprocity agreement in place with the GCRAB / AHCS and be willing to commit to register with the AHCS within 1-2 years of appointment.
Desirable
- Approved GCRAB Sign Off Mentor
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of continued professional development-reviewing current practice and research developments and application to clinical practice
- Working with people who are distressed
- Understanding of professional and current issues related to genetics, the NHS, and relevant fields
- Works within AGNC code of ethics and the GCRAB code of conduct
- Familiarity with databases, ICT and word processing
- Understanding of audit and research methodologies
- Experience of dealing with families with genetic disorders
- Experience of managing an individual caseload
- Knowledge and awareness of safeguarding procedures
Desirable
- Significant independent experience in genetic counselling
- Previous experience of research and audit
- Understanding of resource management, health and safety and clinical governance
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously and manage an independent caseload
- Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
- Excellent organisational skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills
- Able to problem solve and initiate change
- Self-discipline and good time management to support periods of lone working
- Obtain or Maintain Registration with AHCS / HCPC within agreed time frames
- Ability and willing to travel to clinics across North and East London and Essex
Desirable
- Ability to analyse research findings to inform practice development
- Ability to undertake phlebotomy
- Proven ability to teach and educate professionals and families
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street
London
WC1N 3JH
Employer's website
https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
