Job summary
The post holder will work with and support the National Amyloidosis clinical team to make a significant contribution to the strategic direction of the set-up of a general genetic counselling service. The post holder will utilise advanced genetic counselling skills for individuals and families with or at risk of genetic conditions, working within the AGNC code of Ethics and maintaining GCRB registration. The post holder will contribute to the organisation and development of the general Amyloidosis genetics service, including the Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis Service under the direction of the Consultant Genetic Counsellor for General Genetics and act as a significant educational resource, both to the wider health care system and trainees in clinical genetics and genetic counselling. There are opportunities to be involved in research and audit, with an expectation that work will be presented at national and international conferences and meetings. Genetic Counsellor Registration is actively promoted.
Main duties of the job
- Set-up of a general genetic counselling service
- Development of the general Amyloidosis genetics service
- Educational resource, both to the wider health care system and trainees in clinical genetics and genetic counselling
- Research
- Audits
About us
The NHS National Amyloidosis Centre (NAC), based at the Royal Free Hospital in London, is the only centre in the UK and one of the few centres worldwide specialising in amyloidosis. It provides a comprehensive diagnostic and management advisory service to the national caseload of amyloidosis patients and has state of the art clinical and research facilities.
The National Amyloidosis Centre (NAC) is funded centrally by NHS England to provide the UK service for the diagnosis and management of the whole national caseload of patients with amyloidosis.
The clinical service provides:
- Diagnosis, typing and staging of disease.
- Recommendations and advice for treatment.
- Regular follow-up to monitor disease progress and response to treatment.
- Evaluation of patients with hereditary forms of amyloidosis, including genetic counselling and DNA testing of family members.
- Providing specialist information and support to amyloidosis patients.
- Involvement of patients in clinical research projects.
- Systematic evaluation of existing and new treatments.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Take responsibility for providing expert general genetic counselling for patients and families. This will include seeing patients and their families at within the Trust and various regional clinics. Manage an individual caseload autonomously, including taking a lead role in the provision of predictive genetic testing, management of urgent referral and enquiries. Communicate effectively with patients and families to elicit concerns and expectations. Obtain, document and interpret family, medical and psychosocial history. Receive and interpret complex and sometimes conflicting information and confirm diagnostic information. Take responsibility for communicating highly complex genetic information to patients and relatives. This will include calculating the chance of patients and families being affected by a wide range of genetic disorders, the risks of recurrence and the management options available. Making decisions where expert opinion differs or some information is unavailable. In order to do this, source and interpret complex scientific papers and genetic test results. Apply new scientific and clinical information to respond to changes in risk, needs and issues for the family over an open ended time frame. Use advanced counselling skills to expertly communicate highly sensitive and potentially psychologically damaging information, which may cause high levels of distress such as unexpected non-paternity, risk of recurrence and lack of management options. Lead prenatal genetic counselling appointments and co-counsel with medical colleagues and genetic counselling colleagues in complex cases Lead predictive genetic counselling appointments for neurological conditions and co-counsel with medical colleagues and genetic counselling colleagues in complex cases Lead predictive genetic testing for children at risk of inherited conditions in a sensitive manner and involve the parents to maximise an informed decision. Undertake co-counselling with junior members of the genetic counselling team to enhance their knowledge and skill set Undertake co-counselling with clinical colleagues in complex patients Undertake triage of referrals received in the general genetic counselling team Provide information on the care of other family members including identifying at-risk relatives and advising on how they could obtain genetic counselling or screening. Provide clinical supervision to other staff and engage in own clinical supervision. Liaise with laboratory colleagues to facilitate appropriate testing and storage of specimens, interpret genetic test results and confirm phenotypic information. Liaise with external colleagues to facilitate appropriate sharing of information Work within the principles of medical ethics and maintain confidentiality as deemed appropriate by national guidance Utilising advanced counselling approaches to maximise dissemination of at risk information within families and facilitate access to genetic counselling Phlebotomy
Job description
Job responsibilities
Take responsibility for providing expert general genetic counselling for patients and families. This will include seeing patients and their families at within the Trust and various regional clinics. Manage an individual caseload autonomously, including taking a lead role in the provision of predictive genetic testing, management of urgent referral and enquiries. Communicate effectively with patients and families to elicit concerns and expectations. Obtain, document and interpret family, medical and psychosocial history. Receive and interpret complex and sometimes conflicting information and confirm diagnostic information. Take responsibility for communicating highly complex genetic information to patients and relatives. This will include calculating the chance of patients and families being affected by a wide range of genetic disorders, the risks of recurrence and the management options available. Making decisions where expert opinion differs or some information is unavailable. In order to do this, source and interpret complex scientific papers and genetic test results. Apply new scientific and clinical information to respond to changes in risk, needs and issues for the family over an open ended time frame. Use advanced counselling skills to expertly communicate highly sensitive and potentially psychologically damaging information, which may cause high levels of distress such as unexpected non-paternity, risk of recurrence and lack of management options. Lead prenatal genetic counselling appointments and co-counsel with medical colleagues and genetic counselling colleagues in complex cases Lead predictive genetic counselling appointments for neurological conditions and co-counsel with medical colleagues and genetic counselling colleagues in complex cases Lead predictive genetic testing for children at risk of inherited conditions in a sensitive manner and involve the parents to maximise an informed decision. Undertake co-counselling with junior members of the genetic counselling team to enhance their knowledge and skill set Undertake co-counselling with clinical colleagues in complex patients Undertake triage of referrals received in the general genetic counselling team Provide information on the care of other family members including identifying at-risk relatives and advising on how they could obtain genetic counselling or screening. Provide clinical supervision to other staff and engage in own clinical supervision. Liaise with laboratory colleagues to facilitate appropriate testing and storage of specimens, interpret genetic test results and confirm phenotypic information. Liaise with external colleagues to facilitate appropriate sharing of information Work within the principles of medical ethics and maintain confidentiality as deemed appropriate by national guidance Utilising advanced counselling approaches to maximise dissemination of at risk information within families and facilitate access to genetic counselling Phlebotomy
Person Specification
Values
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Master's level with plus advanced knowledge and clinical expertise in general genetics
- Genetic Counsellor Registration with the GCRB
- Minimum 5 years' professional clinical experience as a Genetic Counsellor
- Demonstrates has met the criteria for Band 8A AGNC Genetic Counsellor - see www.agnc.org.uk (Agenda for Change endorsed career structure)
Desirable
- Formal mentoring qualification
- Format teaching qualification
Experience
Essential
- Utilising advanced counselling skills in working with people who are distressed.
- Specialist interest in general genetics as demonstrated through clinical experience and/or research.
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary setting and liaising with other health professionals.
- Displays commitment to professional development through education, research
- Experience of service development and strategic development in genetics.
Desirable
- Previous experience at band 8A level
- Training in leadership or management
Person Specification
Values
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Master's level with plus advanced knowledge and clinical expertise in general genetics
- Genetic Counsellor Registration with the GCRB
- Minimum 5 years' professional clinical experience as a Genetic Counsellor
- Demonstrates has met the criteria for Band 8A AGNC Genetic Counsellor - see www.agnc.org.uk (Agenda for Change endorsed career structure)
Desirable
- Formal mentoring qualification
- Format teaching qualification
Experience
Essential
- Utilising advanced counselling skills in working with people who are distressed.
- Specialist interest in general genetics as demonstrated through clinical experience and/or research.
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary setting and liaising with other health professionals.
- Displays commitment to professional development through education, research
- Experience of service development and strategic development in genetics.
Desirable
- Previous experience at band 8A level
- Training in leadership or management
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).
