Genetic Counselor (Clinical)

Provides expert advice and guidance to VA practitioners and program officials on a wide range of issues related to development and delivery of genetic services, methods and practices Advises and provides technical expertise regarding clinical genetic services and respond to questions and concerns from stakeholders Collaborates with local and Veteran-side site telehealth and pathology staff, NTO hub leadership, and the National Oncology Program Office to establish telehealth service agreements (TSA), workflow processes with spoke (patient site) sites, and other standard operating processes and communications documents as needed for CGS participating sites Interviews patients to get comprehensive individual family and medical histories Evaluates genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific genetic disorders Writes detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts for patients or referring physicians Discusses testing options and the associated risks, benefits, and limitations with patients, families, and other healthcare providers Counsels patients and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance regarding genetic risks and inherited conditions Plans, designs, and directs clinical genetic counseling protocols to develop and evaluate approaches to delivery of genetic counseling services Identifies and implements ways to improve efficiency, quality, and safety of patient care within the CGS service Participates and contributes to development of standard operating procedures related to program implementation Participates and contributes to the development of marketing materials, SharePoint site, and web design for CGS services Chair, Co-Chair, and actively participate in service level and national level committees and workgroups Assists in the oversight of development and dissemination of information describing the genetic counseling services being offered by CGS, including brochures and other published materials Collaborates to develop methods to evaluate effectiveness of educational programs Establishes working relationships with other programs to develop best practices Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: M-F, 8a - 430p Remote: This position is remote Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Genetic Counselors must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.

Education: A master's degree or higher in genetic counseling from a program in the United States or Canada accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). Experience: One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11).

License: A full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Genetic Counselor. Board Certification: Board certification in the field of Genetic Counseling by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Grade Determinations GS-12: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Assignment.

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

This is the advanced performance level for Genetic Counselors. Genetic Counselors at the advanced level may be responsible for specific clinical programs such as educational programming, clinical program evaluation, and/or research activities. Genetic Counselors at this level demonstrate advanced knowledge of genetic conditions.

In addition, they can provide mentorship and education to students and newly hired genetic counselors. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Advanced knowledge of genetic conditions with specific expertise in targeted conditions. (b) Skill in applying general learning/teaching principles.

(c) Skill in identifying educational resources available for genetic counselors, as well as other medical specialties, as appropriate. (d) Ability to identify national genetic counseling services and most current methods and practices, as well as services available in VA including program infrastructure and operations.

(e) Ability to organize, synthesize, and select relevant clinical and programmatic information to effectively manage time and priorities. (f) Ability to mentor and train genetic counseling students as well as newly hired genetic counselors.

(g) Ability to identify target audiences within and outside VA for whom genetics educational material would be relevant. Preferred Experience: More than 2 years experience in an adult clinical genetics setting. Experience with remote delivery of genetic services (telemedicine, telephone).

Prior administrative experience such as developing institutional genetic testing protocols, committee service for a national professional organization, or oversee student rotations. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.