What is Genetic Counseling?
Links
GC Digital Downloads: https://www.katieleecgc.com/shop
National Society of Genetic Counseling: https://www.nsgc.org/
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:38 What do GCs do
1:35 Traditional clinical GC roles (prenatal, cancer, pediatrics)
1:55 Prenatal GCs
2:48 Cancer GCs
3:16 Pediatric GCs
3:45 Other patient-facing GC roles
5:20 Industry and non-patient facing GC roles
6:51 GC Job market, satisfaction, salary
Are you interested in learning more about genetic counseling and what it takes to become a genetic counselor?
I'm Katie Lee Hornberger, a multi-state licensed, certified genetic counselor with over six years of reproductive genetic counseling experience. I've worked in a clinic setting, a lab setting, and in multiple industry roles including a start-up and a small business where I was the first and only GC on staff. I love the field of reproductive genetic counseling and helping people grow their families, but beyond that I also enjoy teaching and training current GC students.
My vision for this channel is to inspire aspiring genetic counselors by providing insights into the career and application process. My hope is that by making information on genetic counseling widely available and showing a friendly genetic counselor face, a more diverse set of applicants will be inspired to explore a career in genetic counseling.
On Wannabe Wednesday I post content on the application process including tips on editing your CV, personal statement, and how to answer grad school interview questions. Beyond that I demystify common questions about genetic counseling like how much do you get paid and whether or not genetic counseling is a stressful career. If this content sounds interesting to you, please subscribe to my channel and ring the notification bell! While other GCs have monetized application help, I am committed to sharing lots of tips for free so you don't want to miss out.
What is a Genetic Counselor?
Genetic counselors are experts in medical genetics and counseling.
Genetic Counseling is educating patients and/or clinicians by determining and/or explaining how genetic variants may or may not affect an individual’s health. Providing emotional support & empowering patients to make informed healthcare decisions.
Traditional Genetic Counseling Roles
Traditionally, genetic counselors worked in hospitals or clinics. Many genetic counselors still work in settings like cancer clinics, OB/GYN offices, or pediatric hospitals. In a cancer clinic, a genetic counselor would typically meet with patients with cancer or a family history of cancer to collect their family history, explain possible risks associated with hereditary forms of cancer, offer genetic testing if it is warranted, coordinate the testing if it is desired by the patient, and explain the results of the genetic test and follow-up recommendations for the patient and their relatives based on the results. Similarly, in OB/GYN offices, genetic counselor typically meet with pregnant patients (and their partner/support people) to explain genetic testing that is available routinely in pregnancy or genetic testing that may be available due to abnormalities identified on ultrasound. Prenatal genetic counselors work with an OB/GYN to explain the available testing, order the test, interpret the results, and explain the results and follow-up options to the patient, and provide psychological support. Pediatric genetic counselors have a similar workflow- they meet with pediatric patients and their family, usually alongside a geneticist, to collect a medical and family history for children with birth differences and/or neurological differences.
These are just a few examples of common clinical genetic counseling roles. There are dozens of different specialties including preconception genetic counseling, psychiatry, neurology, cardiology, metabolic disease, personalized medicine, and pharmacogenetics. Genetic counselors can work in many settings beyond university medical centers and private practices.
Expanding beyond the Clinic
Since 2010, more and more genetic counselors have expanded their roles beyond traditional patient facing roles. Genetic counselors may also work for diagnostic laboratories, academia, not-profits such as rare diseases organizations, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and government organizations, and agencies.
These days, there are many genetic counselors whom never speak with patients. Some GCs interpret the meaning and pathogenicity of genetic variants others are involved in research, study coordination, and grant application. Genetic counselors can be managers, supervisors, or directors in their company. Genetic counselors start their own businesses.
One of the things I find most exciting about holding a degree in genetic counseling, is that there are endless opportunities that vary significantly.