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Genetic Counselor

Overview and Key Facts

woman counselor
Education
Education
Master's degree
Median Pay
Median Pay
$80,150
Job Growth
Job Growth
18.20%
(Above US Average)
Jobs in 2031
Jobs in 2031
3,500

What Do They Do?

A genetic counselor could...

Overview Listen to this section

Many decisions regarding a person's health depend on knowing the patient's genetic risk of having a disease. Genetic counselors help assess those risks, explain them to patients, and counsel individuals and families about their options.
Watch this video from NOVA scienceNOW to learn how personal DNA sequencing may revolutionize healthcare.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Genetic Counselor?


  1. Reading Comprehension: ?
  2. Active Listening: ?
  3. Complex Problem Solving: ?
  4. Social Perceptiveness: ?
  5. Writing: ?

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Genetic Counselor might do:
  • Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
  • Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
  • Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
  • Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
  • Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
  • Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
  • Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.
  • Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
  • Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.
  • Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.
  • Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics.
  • Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients or medical personnel.
  • Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.
  • Refer patients to specialists or community resources.
  • Design and conduct genetics training programs for physicians, graduate students, other health professions or the general community.
  • Evaluate or make recommendations for standards of care or clinical operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, ethics, legislation, or policies.
  • Engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics or genetic counseling.
  • Collect for, or share with, research projects patient data on specific genetic disorders or syndromes.
  • Identify funding sources and write grant proposals for eligible programs or services.

Salary & Job Openings

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Genetic Counselor

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