Career in Genetic Counseling
Explore these pages to find out more about a career in Genetic Counseling.
Genetic Counseling as a Profession
Genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized
graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical
genetics and counseling. Most enter the field from a variety
of disciplines, including biology, genetics, nursing,
psychology, public health and social work.
Genetic counselors work as members of a health care team, providing
information and support to families who have members with
birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who
may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions.
They identify families at risk, investigate the problem
present in the family, interpret information about the
disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence
and review available options with the family.
Genetic counselors also provide
supportive counseling to families, serve as patient advocates
and refer individuals and families to community or state
support services. They serve as educators and resource
people for other health care professionals and for the
general public. Some counselors also work in administrative
capacities. Many engage in research activities related
to the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling.
Adopted by the
National Society of Genetic Counselors, Inc. 1983
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Demographics
Genetic counselors have diverse educational credentials
and background experiences. Membership information is
collected yearly in October, while a detailed Professional Status Survey is taken in
even years.
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Certification
Certification in genetic counseling is available by the
American
Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Requirements include
documentation of the following: a graduate degree in genetic
counseling; clinical experience in an ABGC-approved training
site or sites; a log book of 50 supervised cases; and
successful completion of both the general and specialty
certification examination.
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Training Programs
Currently, numerous training
programsoffer master's degrees in genetic
counseling in the United States. Programs are also offered
in Canada, Australia, England and South Africa. Coursework
typically includes clinical genetics, population genetics,
cytogenetics, and molecular genetics coupled with psychosocial
theory, ethics and counseling techniques. Clinical placement
in ABGC-approved medical genetics centers is an integral
part of the degree requirements. Additional programs
accept nurses seeking post-graduate degrees with
specialty
training in genetics.
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Career
Opportunities
The genetic counseling profession is rapidly expanding
and diversifying. Heightened public awareness, coupled
with scientific advances in adult disorders and reproductive
technologies, have increased the demand for genetic
counselors in clinical, teaching, administrative, commercial,
private practice and consulting environments. This trend
is expected to continue well into the 21st century ...and
beyond.
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Families
Served
Individuals and couples who may benefit from genetic
counseling include:
- Persons or families with a history
of cleft lip or palate, congenital heart defects,
spina bifida, short stature or other physical birth
defects
- Persons or families with genetic
disorders such as Down syndrome, Huntington disease,
cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, PKU, hemophilia
and other inherited disorders
- Persons or families affected with
mental retardation, hearing or visual impairments,
learning disabilities or other conditions which could
be genetic
- Persons or families with a history
of certain cardiac, cancer, psychiatric or neurogenetic
adult disorders
- Persons with a history of multiple
miscarriages, stillbirths or early infant deaths involving
multiple congenital anomalies
- Women age 34 and over who are
pregnant or are planning pregnancy
- Pregnant women at high risk due
to abnormal MSAFP or ultrasound screening tests
- Pregnant women concerned about
the effects of exposure to medication, drugs, chemicals,
infectious agents, radiation or certain work conditions.
This subspecialty is called teratology.
- Persons in specific ethnic groups
or geographic areas with a higher incidence of certain
disorders, such as Tay Sachs disease, sickle cell
disease, or thalassemias
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This information is provided by the National Society
of Genetic Counselors, Inc. to help individuals interested
in learning more about the genetic counseling profession.
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