Description

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Summary:
The Laboratory Genetic Counselor will work with other medical professionals including technologists, genetic counselors and Laboratory Directors to provide genetic testing consultation and technical support to UNC Health System providers, clients and laboratory professionals. The scope of this position extends beyond the UNC Medical Center to also include those within the Health Care System requiring laboratory genetic consultation.

Responsibilities:
1. Genetic Testing Consultation- The Laboratory based Genetic Counselor will provide genetic testing information to patients, providers, care teams and genetic testing advisory groups, and clients regarding the appropriate use of tests, test methodologies, test limitations and accuracy, potential testing outcomes and follow up, sample requirements, sample stability and interpretation of results. Be a resource to providers regarding all genetic disorders and the appropriate available testing. Establish and maintain a Genetic Consultation program that will enable Providers to request genetic consult assistance through the current EPIC Beaker system. This individual will be responsible for ensuring all such requests are addressed and documented appropriately. The Laboratory Genetic Counselor will appropriately evaluate the significance of mutations and their relationship to the clinical significance and care of the patient. Monitor test utilization and provide assistance to providers to ensure cost effective laboratory genetic testing while maintaining testing quality and exceptional patient care.Assist in the formation of Genetic Testing Advisory groups that will represent multidisciplinary services such as Neurology, Cardiology, OB/GYN and Pediatrics to develop and maintain appropriate genetic consult workflows for tests associated with common genetic disorders. Assist laboratory staff in maintaining a current laboratory test formulary that clearly communicates necessary information regarding testing requirements, storage and sample stability, and acceptable volumes along with any specific test utilization information to all health care staff throughout the Health Care System.Assist the Molecular Pathology Laboratory with Providers and appropriate genetic consultation and test utilization.Assist the Referral Laboratory with Providers and appropriate genetic testing consultation and test utilization. Assist the Cytogenetic Laboratory with Providers and appropriate genetic testing consultation and test utilization.
2. Laboratory Operational Support- The laboratory Genetic Counselor will assist Laboratory Directors and Managers in the development of clinical and laboratory policies for new laboratory testing, ordering, CPT coding, billing and genetic testing reimbursement. Assist laboratory personnel and providers with the appropriate selection of reference laboratories for genetic testing by reviewing the sensitivity, specificity, cost, turnaround time of the test provided. Assist laboratory Directors and Managers in the evaluation of new reference laboratories to ensure CLIA licensure as well as specific laboratory quality, turn around times, ease of use, cost, billing appropriateness and reporting. Provide laboratory personnel with the collection requirements, processing and transport of referral laboratory testing and ensure this information is incorporated into laboratory procedures and implemented. Track all incoming research studies and ensure they are covered through the IRB process and handled appropriately by the individual laboratories. Assist the Laboratory Directors and Managers in identifying testing needs and in any implementation through continuous genetic testing education via reading, research, national and regional meetings and seminars. Assist the laboratory personnel and Directors in the resolution of technical problems and questions for all genetic testing. Assist laboratory staff and Directors with communication of abnormal results to providers along with any recommended follow up. Assist laboratory staff and Directors with troubleshooting issues related to specimen ordering, collection, interpretation or result reporting. Provide interpretation of cytogenomic microarray data, investigate anomalies and generate reports. Triage all Cytogenetic constitutional cases to ensure appropriate case workup, accurate ordering and medical necessity.Appropriately provide telephone based counseling and follow up to patients regarding test results and implications.
3. Quality Assurance- The Laboratory Genetic Counselor will attend monthly Laboratory Quality Assurance meetings to provide assistance to the laboratory staff and Directors in the development of quality indicators, review of specimen problems, implementation of quality improvements for the purpose of maintaining quality patient care and provider services.
4. Education and Development- The Laboratory Genetic Counselor is required to stay current on all appropriate laboratory protocols. Maintain accessibility to all current best practices in laboratory genetic testing and their clinical utilization. Develop necessary educational and training guides, workflow charts to meet the needs of the laboratory staff, care teams, advisory groups and providers. Provide periodic lectures to laboratory staff and other medical professionals regarding current trends in genetics and genetic testing. Attend National, State and local genetic meetings to maintain awareness of current genetic testing and methodology trends. Maintain knowledge of all current and relevant ICD 10 codes for medical necessity. Maintain skills within EPIC Beaker to provide the ordering templates to collect all pertinent clinical information and consult communication to laboratory staff and providers.

Other information:
Education Requirements:
* Master's degree in human genetics, counseling or related field.
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
* American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) or American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) certification or board eligible.
Professional Experience Requirements:
* No prior experience is required.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: Referral Testing Services

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Salary Range: $32.23-$46.33

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.