Job summary
The post holder will undertake counselling duties within Moorfields Eye Hospital principally within the Genetic Service.
The service has close links with other Clinical Genetic Units particularly at Great Ormond Street (with which the hospital is part of the North-East-West London Genomics Hub), Guy's Hospital and the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine.
The patients and families managed by the inherited eye disease team are often part of research projects (including the national Genomics England, and NIHR Bioresource, natural-history studies, and numerous trials of gene-directed and other interventions), and the post-holder will be expected to facilitate this research, by overseeing recruitment, informed consent and relevant genetic and clinical data.
Main duties of the job
Work as part of a team of genetic support staff, coping with a flexible timetable to cover the clinical requirements of the Genetic Service as efficiently as possible.
Will be responsible for their own clinic and clinical/research workload.
Provide on-going advice and support to patients and families in the outpatient clinics and by telephone.
Explain risks of carrier status to at-risk individuals, modes of inheritance and counselling of patients before undertaking pre-symptomatic testing
Recording family histories and pedigrees
Obtain blood samples using phlebotomy skills.
Ensure that samples are passed to the appropriate laboratories for the correct tests.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
This post will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months.
During the probationary period, your suitability for continued employment will be assessed and provided a satisfactory standard is achieved and maintained, your employment will be confirmed. The probationary period may be extended or your employment terminated either during or at the end of probation, in line with the trust Probationary Policy. For the duration of the probation period, the notice period will be in line with contractual obligations on either side.
About us
The service consists of five consultants - Professor Andrew Webster (adult inherited retinal disease), Professor Michel Michaelides (paediatrics and inherited retinal disease), Mariya Moosajee (Paediatrics and ocular malformations, glaucoma), Omar Mahroo (inherited retina and electrophysiology), Patrick Yu Wai Man (inherited optic neuropathies).
There is a team of four full-time Genetic Counsellors, a service administrator, a phlebotomist, and administrative staff.
There is a dedicated Clinical Scientist at the hospital as well as scientists working on inherited eye disease in the adjacent UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Act as an on-going point of contact for the patients, families and other health professionals.
Work closely with the consultant and junior members of the team to provide continuity of care and supervise junior members of staff.
Work closely with the medical social workers.
Maintain close links with the regional genetics units throughout the UK in the management of patients and families and the overseeing of genetic testing.
Maintain and develop the computerised genetic database of patients and families affected with inherited disorders.
Provide education to the patients and their families.
Contribute to the training of other professional staff.
Assist in development of future policies and procedures and information materials for patients and their families.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Act as an on-going point of contact for the patients, families and other health professionals.
Work closely with the consultant and junior members of the team to provide continuity of care and supervise junior members of staff.
Work closely with the medical social workers.
Maintain close links with the regional genetics units throughout the UK in the management of patients and families and the overseeing of genetic testing.
Maintain and develop the computerised genetic database of patients and families affected with inherited disorders.
Provide education to the patients and their families.
Contribute to the training of other professional staff.
Assist in development of future policies and procedures and information materials for patients and their families.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- MSc Degree in Genetic Counselling or highly specific relevant subject or working towards MSc Degree
- BSC in Life Sciences and or relevant subject/area
Desirable
- Experience of autonomously managing work load or approach to work
- Previous Experience working as genetic counsellor or similar field
Training and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to understand complex genetic results and inheritance pattern
- Relevant experience in basic data monitoring and computer skills
Aptitude and skills
Essential
- Wanting to develop knowledge pertaining to genetic counselling and relevant field of expertise
- Phlebotomy Skills - previous experience or willing to learn
- Excellent communication skills
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- MSc Degree in Genetic Counselling or highly specific relevant subject or working towards MSc Degree
- BSC in Life Sciences and or relevant subject/area
Desirable
- Experience of autonomously managing work load or approach to work
- Previous Experience working as genetic counsellor or similar field
Training and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to understand complex genetic results and inheritance pattern
- Relevant experience in basic data monitoring and computer skills
Aptitude and skills
Essential
- Wanting to develop knowledge pertaining to genetic counselling and relevant field of expertise
- Phlebotomy Skills - previous experience or willing to learn
- Excellent communication skills
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).
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).
