Position Details
Department: PCH-MAIN | Lab Genomics
Location: Phoenix
Shift: Mon-Fri, Shifts Vary, 8am-5pm
Category: Laboratory/Pathology
Posting #: 1027340
Employee Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
This position offers a unique opportunity for a Genetic Counselor to join and help advance an established laboratory genetic counseling servicein the Clinical Genomics Laboratory. The role will serve as an integral member of the Clinical Genomics Laboratory, providing advanced laboratory-based genetic consultation services to ordering providers and clinical teams, including variant interpretation support, independent report authorship, laboratory operations integration, provider-facing genomic education, and family-facing result communication within defined laboratory scope. This is a laboratory staff position with accountability to laboratory leadership for operational and administrative matters and to physician leadership for all clinical, scientific, and laboratory interpretation activities. The Genetic Counselor is expected to work within the priorities, direction, and defined scope established by laboratory leadership. Activities or commitments outside the defined scope of this role require advanced approval from laboratory leadership.
Position Duties
Independent Report Authorship and Variant Interpretation
Independently authors reports for all clinical genomics testing including, but not limited to, CMA, FX, NGS, WES/WGS for medical director review and sign-out.
Performs advanced data analysis across all clinical genomics laboratory testing platforms to support accurate variant interpretation and reporting.
Integrates clinical data and literature into report interpretation.
Maintains internal variant and gene databases.
Contributes to SOP and report template development.
Advanced Test Utilization Consultation
Provides advanced consultative guidance on test utilization including panels, WES/WGS, reanalysis, and targeted testing.
Develops provider decision aids and test information sheets.
Laboratory Result Communication and Clinical Referral Assessment
Communicates and clarifies Phoenix Children's laboratory genetic test results to ordering providers and, when requested, to patient families, limited to laboratory interpretation and report content.
Coordinates result discussions for complex and multidisciplinary cases including autopsy and ICU cases.
Identifies when findings require clinical follow-up and advises the ordering provider or primary clinical team on the appropriate specialty referral pathway for management.
Supports implementation of improved laboratory report formats and templates to enhance clarity and clinical utility.
Genomics Education and Provider Support
Provides structured, lab-focused education to physicians and lab staff on genomics testing methodologies, result interpretation, and evolving clinical applications.
Leads recurring educational forums.
Mentors students and trainees.
Provides inpatient consenting support when needed for whole exome and whole genome sequencing performed by the Phoenix Children's Clinical Genomics Lab, in coordination with the ordering team and within defined laboratory scope.
Laboratory Quality, Compliance, and Cross-Functional Integration
Leads and supports laboratory operational, quality, and compliance initiatives, including gene and panel evaluation, report optimization, and workflow improvement.
Contributes to CAP/CLIA readiness activities, variant reclassification tracking and notification processes, and institutional committee work.
Serves as a liaison across laboratory, clinical, IT, and operational teams to ensure standardized, compliant, and efficient genomics services.
Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.