Job summary
We are delighted to offer a fixed term post for a dedicated and enthusiastic Genetic/Genomic Counsellor. This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Cancer Genetics team and work within a Clinical Genetics service developing expertise in supporting patients with a known pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in a cancer susceptibility gene including those tested as part of the NHS Jewish BRCA testing programme (JBRCA). The successful candidate will be integrated into the excellent and friendly genetic counselling team at the North West Thames Regional Genetics Service. They will be responsible for running gene-carrier management clinics for patients identified through the JBRCA programme, maintaining a log of all patients being referred from this programme and auditing the service. The post holder will also be responsible for running management clinics for carriers identified outside of the JBRCA programme and may also manage an independent caseload of diagnostic, pre-symptomatic and urgent cancer cases. There may be the opportunity to support one of the specialist clinics depending on the needs of the service.
Main duties of the job
- Provide genetic/genomic counselling using different communication modalities such as in-person, virtual and telephone consultations (including preparation and planning for consultation and post clinic follow-up)
- Accurately document family history using paper and appropriate computer systems such as Phenotips
- Keep up-to-date records
- Make appropriate referrals for patients
- Maintain a log of all patients referred from JBRCA programme and be responsible for JBRCA programme audit and sending relevant information to NHSE or JBRCA programme management as needed
- Liaise with other stakeholders involved in the JBRCA programme such as Jnetics and Chai Charity
- Take a lead role in clinic appointments
- Support and work alongside cancer mainstream colleagues in the region
- Order genetic tests where appropriate
- Liaise with other healthcare professionals
- Be responsible for attending and presenting cases at MDT meetings
- May triage referrals of patients to the service within their area of expertise, using appropriate protocols
- Risk assessment within their area of expertise using appropriate software
- Act as a cancer genetics resource and participate in teaching of genetics to other healthcare professionals/students or patient/public groups.
- Be responsible for overseeing some of the cancer team database/spreadsheets of known pathogenic/likely pathogenic carriers for cancer predisposition syndromes
Contribute to service development, audit and studies
About us
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.
Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.
We run major acute services at:
- Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country's top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
- St Mark's Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
- Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
- Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.
We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential
- oEducated to Master's Level with advanced knowledge and clinical expertise in cancer genetics. AND oGenetic Counsellor Registration with HCPC or AHCS (or be working towards registration)
Desirable
- Counselling skills qualification
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- oSpecialist interest in cancer genetics as demonstrated through clinical expertise and/or research
- oExperience in genetic counselling, at level of Trainee Genetic Counsellor (Band 6) or equivalent
- oExperience of managing an individual caseload
Desirable
- oPrevious experience as a band 7 genetic counsellor
- oExperience of teaching
- oExperience in working in cancer genetics
- oExperience of dealing with families with cancer syndrome
Skills, abilities and attributes
Essential
- oDemonstrate ability to receive and present highly complex information verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences
- oAbility to work autonomously and manage an independent caseload
- oWorks within AGNC and AHCS code of ethics and scope of practice
- oAbility to work under pressure
- oAbility to use all relevant computer/ IT programs
- oAbility to review current literature and apply new data to risk analysis
- oExcellent organisational skills, attention to detail and recognition of the importance of record keeping
- oExcellent verbal and written communication and listening skills
Desirable
- oProven ability to educate genetic and non-genetic healthcare professionals
- oAttending of, taking minutes, leading and /or organise multidisciplinary meetings/clinics
- oKnowledge/ experience of working with the Jewish community
HEART values
Essential
- Demonstrate commitment to Trust HEART values - Honesty, Equality, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential
- oEducated to Master's Level with advanced knowledge and clinical expertise in cancer genetics. AND oGenetic Counsellor Registration with HCPC or AHCS (or be working towards registration)
Desirable
- Counselling skills qualification
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- oSpecialist interest in cancer genetics as demonstrated through clinical expertise and/or research
- oExperience in genetic counselling, at level of Trainee Genetic Counsellor (Band 6) or equivalent
- oExperience of managing an individual caseload
Desirable
- oPrevious experience as a band 7 genetic counsellor
- oExperience of teaching
- oExperience in working in cancer genetics
- oExperience of dealing with families with cancer syndrome
Skills, abilities and attributes
Essential
- oDemonstrate ability to receive and present highly complex information verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences
- oAbility to work autonomously and manage an independent caseload
- oWorks within AGNC and AHCS code of ethics and scope of practice
- oAbility to work under pressure
- oAbility to use all relevant computer/ IT programs
- oAbility to review current literature and apply new data to risk analysis
- oExcellent organisational skills, attention to detail and recognition of the importance of record keeping
- oExcellent verbal and written communication and listening skills
Desirable
- oProven ability to educate genetic and non-genetic healthcare professionals
- oAttending of, taking minutes, leading and /or organise multidisciplinary meetings/clinics
- oKnowledge/ experience of working with the Jewish community
HEART values
Essential
- Demonstrate commitment to Trust HEART values - Honesty, Equality, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.
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).
