Principal Genetic Counsellor

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be the lead genetic counsellor in the genetics department for the Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust:

Lead and supervise the genetic counselling team and other genetic support staff, in co-ordinating a flexible timetable to cover the clinical requirements of the Genetic Service as efficiently as possible.

In association with the head of genetic services, lead the development and delivery of training and development programmes within genetic counselling service and lead on research and practice development within the genetic counselling service.

To lead in developing an increase in service provision and quality of care within the genetic counselling services.

Provide specialist advice to colleagues and other health professionals.

Act as an on-going point of contact for the patients, families and other health professionals.

Work in partnership with other support services to develop a strategic approach for the provision of specialist genetic counselling services.

Deliver professional leadership and consultancy, setting standards and promoting best practice.

Work autonomously and be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own professional activities.

Provide expert genetic counselling and management of complex cases, demonstrating advanced knowledge and skills, including the integration of research evidence into practice by expert clinical reasoning and decision-making.

Order genetic tests as clinically appropriate and according to agreed guidelines.

Endeavour to achieve for all families seen a good understanding of the genetic information and the best possible adjustment to the presence of genetic disease in their family.

Refer patients to relevant patient-led organisations, and other support services.

Develop specialised programmes of care and provide highly specialist clinical services. This includes arranging appropriate specialist screening and testing programmes, interpreting diagnostic test results, and advising accordingly.

Develop and design care pathways for referral of genetics patients in conjunction with other multi-disciplinary team members.

Direct and use the results of specialist investigations (e.g. array CGH and next generation sequencing) to assist formulation of diagnoses and plan patient management.

Provide expert advice and second opinion to health care professionals, including when views may differ or conflict. This includes the formulation of accurate assessment and recommendation of best practice.

Demonstrate expert ability to elicit and communicate highly complex, sensitive, or contentious information to patients, carers and other staff.

Expertly communicate highly sensitive and potentially distressing information to patients and relatives about their genetic status with implications for biological and social family relationships.

Advise on factors that can influence risk.

Communicate with, and support, patients who are recently bereaved including parents after the loss of a child or termination of pregnancy for abnormality

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• MSc Genetic Counselling or STP Clinical Scientist (Genomic Counsellor) training or Equivalence or Professional qualification (e.g. RGN, social work) and relevant first degree or MSc in related field
• Genetic Counsellor Registration Board Registration or Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) Clinical Scientist (Genomic Counselling) registration

Desirable

• Relevant PhD
• Managerial or Leadership Qualification
• Teaching Qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Significant professional experience as a Genetic Counsellor
• Extensive experience in a specialist genetics service
• Experience of working in the NHS and understanding of professional and current issues related to genetics, the NHS, and relevant fields
• Experience of communicating highly complex and sensitive information to patients
• Experience of working across a diverse group of staff and skill mix
• Experience of active involvement with innovative practice and service developments and evidence of significant achievements gained
• Experience of training and mentoring junior staff
• Experience of teaching other health professionals about genomics
• Experience of supporting the mainstreaming of genomic medicine
• Experience of leadership within a clinical setting

Desirable

• Experience of audit and service improvement
• Experience of a managerial role or responsibilities (such as line management, staff appraisals, managing annual leave/staff sickness)
• Experience in staff recruitment

Skills

Essential

• Ability to work autonomously and manage a clinical caseload
• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on a range of inherited diseases and genetic issues
• Ability to take responsibility for the clinical care of patients
• Ability to line manage staff including performing staff appraisals
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment
• Computer literacy
• Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems

Desirable

• Ability to use patient administration database- Openeyes and Electronic Records System

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.

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

Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Moorfields Eye Hospital

162 City Road

London

EC1V 2PD

Employer's website

https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)