Employment Type : Full-Time
Overview:
The successful candidate will screen and review all orders for genetic tests whether they are performed in-house or sent to a reference laboratory. He/she must be able to assess the patients clinical history and, when necessary, recommend alternative genetic testing based on analysis of risk, benefit, and cost. He/she will be responsible for providing consultation services and communicating results to physicians and health professionals and well as providing genetic counseling to patients undergoing laboratory testing. If necessary, the genetic counselor will provide intervention regarding unexpected genetic conditions. The ideal candidate must be proficient at maintaining internal records as well as records from outside testing facilities and ensuring that results are conveyed and understood. In addition, he/she will participate in collaborative efforts to improve utilization, quality, and reimbursement for the laboratory.
Responsibilities:
1. Screens and reviews orders for genetic tests, whether in-house or sent to reference laboratories
2. Provides genetic consultation services as requested by health care providers
3. Provides education to clinicians, clients, and laboratory staff about genetic diseases
4. Maintains list of referral testing sites; maintains line of communication with referral testing sites
5. Reviews test results; performs necessary literature searches to integrate new discoveries with clinical diagnoses and test interpretation
6. Assist the genetic counseling team in coordinating coverage, schedules, and other duties
7. Coordinates appropriate follow up and recommends alternate genetic testing based on analysis of the risk, benefit, and cost 8. Reviews clinical, social, and family histories as required to correlate testing
9. Functions as a liaison between laboratory and clinicians to help ensure appropriate patient referral
10. Assesses recurrence risk; discusses results with appropriate clinicians
11. Provides intervention regarding unexpected genetic conditions
12. Provides written documentation/reports of test results, summaries, recommendations, and support groups
13. Gathers patient and family records; creates and analyzes family pedigrees, when appropriate
14. Works with laboratory management and clinicians to consolidate genetic reference lab testing on an ongoing basis to minimize the number of laboratories used and negotiate the lowest cost per test
15. Assist laboratory revenue cycle coordinator with the establishment of CPT coding for genetic tests to ensure regulatory compliance
16. Responsible for administering informed consent for Whole Exome/Genome testing and other complex genetic tests.
Qualifications:
1. A minimum of a Masters degree in genetic counseling.
2. Certification for a Genetics Counselor by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). Candidate must obtain within 2 years of hire date or eligibility.
3. Current licensure as a Genetic Counselor in the state of Illinois required.
4. Must have ability to work independently and make decisions regarding complex administrative issues, be self-motivated and possess excellent judgmental skills.
5. Experience is desirable but not required.
6. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work with all levels of management and physicians.
7. Computer experience required.