Genetic Counselor Assistant

Under direct supervision and guided by the procedures of Ambulatory Services, the Hospital Assistant III – Genetic Counselor Assistant is responsible for:

• Interview patients and document personal and family medical history
• Request outside medical records and upload to Apex and departmental database
• Assist with clinic flow, including scheduling, rooming patients, and managing coordination of joint visits with genetic counselors and physicians
• Staff Genetic Testing Station – share video and hand-out-based education
• Reviewing research consent form with patients and send Docusign consent form
• Taking patients to laboratory for blood draws or facilitate collection of saliva samples for genetic testing.
• Preparing blood or saliva samples for transportation to laboratories within and outside of UCSF
• Monitor communications with genetic testing laboratories, including responding to requests for additional documentation or samples
• Consultations with healthcare providers and laboratories
• Drawing and updating patient pedigrees using Progeny pedigree drawing software and patient history forms.
• Entering data into the Cancer Risk Program (CRP) database
• Other patient preparation and follow-up tasks
• Support for clinical research projects, including consenting, data collection, documentation, and other tasks

They work as a team member with other practice staff and consistently projects a professional and courteous demeanor. The Genetic Counselor Assistant is required to comply with the Medical Center House and Telephone Standards. They must pay close attention to detail and demonstrate excellent customer service skills with patients and staff.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• %
• of time

Essential Function (Yes/No )

Key Responsibilities

• (To be completed by Supervisor)
• 60%

Yes

Assisting genetic counselors with all aspects of patients scheduling, intake, genetic counseling, genetic testing and documentation.

• Genetic Counseling assistant will work primarily with 5-6 genetic counselors. He/she will learn all aspects of those genetic counselors’ clinical areas and needs to work independently coordinating clinical care and patient visits. This will include:
• Scheduling of clinic visits as needed.
• Telephone and in-person contact regarding genetic counseling, genetic testing and participation in support groups for enrollment or follow-up purposes
• Assisting low income patients with the steps to determine eligibility for counseling and/or genetic testing at reduced or no charge.
• Interview patients and document personal and family medical history
• Entering data into the Cancer Risk Program (CRP) database
• Chart preparation and updating, including obtaining and uploading outside records
• Drawing and updating patient pedigrees using Progeny pedigree drawing software and patient history forms
• Preparation of letters of medical necessity
• Assist with clinic flow, including scheduling, rooming patients, and managing coordination of joint visits with genetic counselors and physicians
• Contact laboratories to determine all necessary steps for gene testing for specific genes. Act as liaison with laboratories to make sure all samples and required forms and samples are completed and received.
• Request authorizations for complex gene testing
• Research specific cancer syndromes and complete searches for relevant articles
• Reviewing research consent form with patients
• Taking patients to laboratory for blood draws
• Obtaining saliva samples for genetic testing
• Preparing blood or saliva samples for transportation to laboratories within and outside of UCSF
• Preparation of family genetic counseling reports
• Consultations with healthcare providers and laboratories
• Other patient preparation, care, and follow-up tasks.

30%

Yes

Genetic Testing Station

• Staff Genetic Testing Station – share video and hand-out-based education

Reviewing research consent form with patients and send Docusign consent form

• Facilitate genetic testing and arrange follow-up with genetic counselor

10%

Yes

Performing other duties as assigned

• Including outreach event participation and preparation of fliers, etc. to facilitate identification of high risk hereditary cancer families. Also, filing, transporting samples to and from labs, letters, follow up with referring health professionals, and typing. Other duties as assigned.

100%

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Ability to communicate effectively, both over the telephone and in person. Ability to deal sensitively and effectively with patients. Excellent organizational skills. Excellent customer service and problem solving skills. Ability to work well both independently, with little supervision, and in a team setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in a biological/health science or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Knowledge of genetics and genetic concepts.
• Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both over the telephone and in person.
• Ability to deal sensitively and effectively with patients.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work well both independently, with little supervision, and in a team setting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Experience with patient and or family contact in a community or medical setting.
• Previous experience with clinical projects, either in an administrative or clinical role, preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of medical practice terminology an genetic terminology and concepts.
• Experience with Outlook, File Maker Pro and Progeny (or other pedigree drawing software) preferred.
• Bi-lingual or multi-lingual capability (Spanish, Cantonese, Russian) strongly preferred.