Genetic Counselling Specialist Nurse

Job responsibilities

1. RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

1. Support the implementation of new developments in antenatal and newborn screening services, in collaboration with other members of the screening team.
2. Contribute to shaping the strategic direction of the service by identifying and implementing solutions that ensure effective delivery of national and local standards, including those set by the National Screening Programmes.
3. Work collaboratively with key stakeholders involved in Antenatal and Newborn Screening, including Maternity and Neonatal Services, Haematology, specialist laboratory clinicians, primary care (GPs and health visitors), other Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia centres, Clinical Commissioners, and Public Health England.
4. Coordinate the antenatal and newborn screening programmes in accordance with national and local policies and guidelines.
5. Serve as a specialist resource, offering expert advice and support to staff within the Trust and the wider community.
6. Support the coordination, delivery, monitoring, and performance management of antenatal and newborn screening services to ensure the provision of a high-quality service for women and their families.
7. Provide support to staff and offer cover for the Service Manager during periods of absence.

2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEADING AND MANAGING

1. Develop, implement, and deliver educational programmes to equip staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality care to clients.
2. Facilitate the effective induction of staff in line with national antenatal and newborn screening policies, including the management of women with major haemoglobinopathies during pregnancy.
3. Plan, implement, and deliver both formal and informal training sessions to enhance understanding of genetically inherited haemoglobinopathies across the multidisciplinary team.
4. Participate in basic and continuing education programmes within the College of Nursing and Midwifery to support professional development and service excellence.
5. Maintain and enhance personal professional knowledge through active engagement in local, regional, and national networks, including collaboration with members of the national Haemoglobinopathy teams.

Professional / Personal Development

1. Always adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, Midwives Rules, relevant codes of practice, and Trust policies and procedures.
2. Demonstrate professional behaviour by upholding and adhering to the Trust's Code of Conduct and professional standards.
3. Take responsibility for maintaining accurate, timely, and confidential written and electronic records of patient care in accordance with Trust and professional guidelines.
4. Manage time effectively and take responsibility for planning and prioritising own workload.
5. Maintain professional knowledge, skills, and clinical credibility by regularly undertaking relevant clinical duties.
6. Ensure confidentiality is always maintained in relation to staff, women, and their families.
7. Provide supervision, guidance, and support to other team members as required to promote development and maintain high standards of practice.

3. RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES

1. Ensure accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of all patient interactions in both written and electronic records, in accordance with Trust policies and professional guidelines.

2. Maintain and update patient information within relevant databases, including the Haemoglobinopathy Register and national screening systems.

3. Interpret, record, and manage complex genetic and screening data to support effective clinical decision-making and continuity of care.

4. Ensure secure handling, storage, and sharing of sensitive personal and medical information, in line with data protection legislation and information governance standards.

5. Contribute to the preparation of reports and data summaries for audits, service evaluations, and submissions to commissioning or regulatory bodies

6. To Create leaflets and posters for patient information and update webpages, communication via social media .

7. Act as a knowledgeable resource for colleagues and external partners in accessing, understanding, and utilising screening and genetic information appropriately.

4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

1. Develop, implement, and agree clinical guidelines and protocols based on current best evidence and practice.
2. Regularly review existing practices and lead the development of strategies to implement changes where improvements are identified.
3. Establish, monitor, and audit the quality of services against standards set by Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia service commissioners and the clinical governance framework.
4. Collect, analyse, and report data on antenatal and newborn screening to monitor service uptake and inform continuous improvement.
5. Identify, measure, and audit clinical outcomes, and provide relevant statistical reports as required for service evaluation and planning.
6. Ensure robust failsafe procedures are in place to confirm that all screen-positive haemoglobinopathy results have been communicated to women, and that appropriate referrals and follow-up actions have been completed within nationally agreed timeframesthis includes failsafe checks during pregnancy and for partner testing.
7. Consistently demonstrate and uphold the Trusts core values: Personal, Safe, Respectful, and Responsible.
8. Promote, facilitate, and participate in research activities within the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia team to support evidence-based practice and service improvement.

Values

Essential

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Education & professional Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Nursing or equivalent healthcare-related degree
• Registered General Nurse (RGN) with a minimum of 3 years' post-registration experience

Desirable

• Completion of a recognised Genetic Counselling Course (e.g., PEGASUS, King's College London Haemoglobinopathies Course, or equivalent specialist counselling qualification).

Experience

Essential

• Proficient in interpreting and translating haematology and genetic blood test results
• Extensive post-registration clinical experience across a range of settings
• Demonstrated experience in service development and improvement
• Proven management and leadership experience within a clinical environment
• Sound knowledge of the NHS National Screening Programs, particularly antenatal and newborn screening
• Experience in screening processes and prenatal diagnostic pathways
• Skilled in communicating screening results, including delivering diagnoses of affected babies to parents
• Experienced in conveying sensitive information with empathy and clarity
• Practical experience working with individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease and thalassemia
• Competent in providing non-directive counselling to support informed reproductive decision-making, including discussions around prenatal diagnosis and possible outcomes
• Experienced in delivering emotional and psychosocial support throughout the screening and diagnostic journey

Desirable

• Proficient in interpreting and translating haematology and genetic blood test results
• Extensive post-registration clinical experience across a range of settings
• Demonstrated experience in service development and improvement
• Proven management and leadership experience within a clinical environment
• Sound knowledge of the NHS National Screening Programs, particularly antenatal and newborn screening
• Experience in screening processes and prenatal diagnostic pathways
• Skilled in communicating screening results, including delivering diagnoses of affected babies to parents
• Experienced in conveying sensitive information with empathy and clarity
• Practical experience working with individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease and thalassemia
• Competent in providing non-directive counselling to support informed reproductive decision-making, including discussions around prenatal diagnosis and possible outcomes
• Experienced in delivering emotional and psychosocial support throughout the screening and diagnostic journey

Skills and aptitudes

Essential

• Demonstrates both basic and advanced clinical nursing skills relevant to this role
• Skilled in interpreting screening and diagnostic test results and communicating findings clearly, accurately, and sensitively
• Proven ability to make sound clinical decisions and to support and develop others in clinical decision-making
• Strong understanding of Clinical Governance and its practical application in healthcare settings
• Effective people management skills, with the ability to navigate complex political and organisational environments
• Skilled in negotiation, decision-making, and leadership
• Demonstrates competence in conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Experienced in initiating and managing change within clinical services
• Aware of current issues, developments, and national priorities relating to antenatal and newborn screening programs.
• Demonstrates the ability to coordinate and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including midwives, obstetricians, haematologist, laboratory staff, and others, to ensure seamless care pathways and timely referrals.

Desirable

• Demonstrates both basic and advanced clinical nursing skills relevant to this role
• Skilled in interpreting screening and diagnostic test results and communicating findings clearly, accurately, and sensitively
• Proven ability to make sound clinical decisions and to support and develop others in clinical decision-making
• Strong understanding of Clinical Governance and its practical application in healthcare settings
• Effective people management skills, with the ability to navigate complex political and organisational environments
• Skilled in negotiation, decision-making, and leadership
• Demonstrates competence in conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Experienced in initiating and managing change within clinical services
• Aware of current issues, developments, and national priorities relating to antenatal and newborn screening programs.
• Demonstrates the ability to coordinate and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including midwives, obstetricians, haematologist, laboratory staff, and others, to ensure seamless care pathways and timely referrals.

Personal Qualities & attributes

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Enthusiastic and committed to the role and its responsibilities
• Demonstrates professional integrity, credibility, and a high standard of ethical practice
• Able to manage challenging and sensitive situations appropriately, including providing support during bereavement
• Skilled in supporting the education and training of healthcare professionals involved in antenatal and newborn screening
• Capable of working independently and proactively contributing to service development, audit activities, and ensuring compliance with national screening standards and policies

Desirable

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Enthusiastic and committed to the role and its responsibilities
• Demonstrates professional integrity, credibility, and a high standard of ethical practice
• Able to manage challenging and sensitive situations appropriately, including providing support during bereavement
• Skilled in supporting the education and training of healthcare professionals involved in antenatal and newborn screening
• Capable of working independently and proactively contributing to service development, audit activities, and ensuring compliance with national screening standards and policies

Others

Essential

• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service
• Willingness and ability to rotate to other duties as required to support service delivery

Desirable

• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service
• Willingness and ability to rotate to other duties as required to support service delivery

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).