Genetics Counselor

Maternal Fetal Medicine – Prenatal Genetic Counseling Job Description

The MFM Genetic Counselor position is responsible for providing genetics counseling services to patients and families of the Maternal Fetal Medicine Centers at M Health Fairview UMMC –Riverside, M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital, M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital, M Health Fairview. St John’s Hospital, and M Health Fairview Brooklyn Park. In addition, individuals in this position provide technical and professional leadership in the planning and execution of day to day program activities of the clinic.

Responsibilities

• Prenatal care is dependent upon gestational age and consequently care planning and follow-up in a timely manner is critical.
• Prepare for genetic counseling appointment:
• • Ensure all pertinent preliminary data and records have been received prior to patient’s visit
  • Communicate data to appropriate staff involved in patient care
• Provide genetic counseling to patients and families
• • Obtain medical and family histories

• Perform risk assessment based on patient’s medical and family history, test results, and ultrasound findings

• • Offer genetic screening and diagnostic testing based on clinical indication and patient preferences.  Decide which genetic testing options are appropriate for the patient, facilitate decision making and provide informed consent for genetic testing.
  • • Articulate the benefits, risks, and limitations of invasive diagnostic testing
  • Interpret genetic testing results and report results to patient in a timely manner, which may include occasional weekend call out
  • • Given the time sensitive nature of prenatal care, MFM genetic counselors follow a critical results reporting policy
  • Communicate how inherited diseases and conditions may affect the patient and their families
  • Provide supportive counseling to patients after results are received
  • Identify, review, synthesize, and incorporate current literature and testing methodologies into clinical practice
  • Act as a clinical resource for other health-care providers and learners within the MFM department and other M Health Fairview clinics providing prenatal care
  • Provide support to MFM physicians and fellows by coordinating genetic testing for inpatient invasive procedures and products of conception.

• This position requires flexibility for add-on patients outside of the clinic appointment template 

• Facilitate access to Perinatal Hospice services
  
  
• Facilitate access to abortion services within M Health Fairview and community resources. Work with MFM leadership to request insurance investigation, completing a termination of pregnancy checklist, and working with the MFM physician to ensure consents are complete.

• Provide support to other work groups on the care team
• • Triage patients, both referrals and follow-ups, into appropriate clinics and services in a timely manner
  • Work with Patient Care Coordinators and scheduling staff in reviewing referrals for consults for fetal and maternal consults

• Communicate results and care plan to referring providers

• Aid in transitioning fetal anomaly patients from prenatal care to the M Health Fairview Pediatric Genetics services
• • Requires tracking of patients with fetal anomalies.
  • Requires weekly communication and presentation of fetal anomaly patients with pediatric genetics providers regarding postnatal recommendations.
  • Requires ability to create a fetal chart, document recommendations in the fetal chart, placing orders in the fetal, and consent patients prenatally for testing of infant postnatally.
• This position requires excellent communication skills with M Health Fairview laboratories and other outside laboratories performing testing on irretrievable prenatal specimens
• Take part in educational opportunities including Grand Rounds, Professional Development series, and clinic case review meetings including monthly Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center meeting, weekly Pediatric Genetics meeting, and every other month Pediatric Genetics follow-up meeting.

Organization Expectations, as applicable:

 Demonstrates ability to provide equitable and inclusive patient care or service and adjusting approaches to reflect developmental level and cultural differences of population served

• • Partners with patient care giver in care/decision making.
  • Communicates in a respective manner.
  • Ensures a safe, secure environment.
  • Individualizes plan of care to meet patient needs.
  • Modifies clinical interventions based on population served.
  • Provides patient education based on as assessment of learning needs of patient/care giver.

• Fulfills all organizational requirements
• • Completes all required learning relevant to the role
  • Complies with and maintains knowledge of all relevant laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards.
• Fosters a culture of improvement, efficiency and innovative thinking.
• Performs other duties as assigned

$41.22- $58.19 Hourly