Genetic Counsellor

Join Northeastern Ontario’s Health Care Leader

Health Sciences North (HSN) is an academic health sciences centre affiliated with the Health Sciences North Research Institute and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. HSN ranks among Canada’s Top 40 hospitals and is a regional resource and referral centre across Northeastern Ontario.

The Northeastern Ontario Medical Genetics Program is seeking a full-time Genetic Counsellor to join a multidisciplinary team of Genetic Counsellors, Genetic Counsellor Assistants and Medical Geneticists, who are highly dedicated to provide exemplary care to patients and families across all of Northeastern Ontario. 

HSN provides a full range of Genetic Counselling services and allows for a unique opportunity to operate within a large scope of practice including Prenatal, Pediatric, Adult and Cancer Genetics. Genetic Counsellors enjoy a highly independent and stimulating practice in a general genetics clinic and work closely with colleagues, a Medical Genetics Advisor and several visiting Medical Geneticists.

The successful candidates should have at minimum a Master’s of Science Degree in Genetic Counselling from an accredited university and a current certification or eligible for certification with the Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling (CBGC) or American Board of Genetic Counselling (ABGC). Two (2) years’ experience working in a Prenatal, Pediatrics, Adult, and/or Cancer Genetics department within a health care environment is preferred.

The full job description is on the HSN Careers Website.

The posting will remain active until filled, however the search committee will begin reviewing applicants on November 21, 2024.

We offer competitive salary and vacation, extended health and dental benefits, a pension plan through HOOPP and a relocation allowance to assist with moving expenses.

Interested applicants are asked to apply directly to posting #6836 on the HSN Careers Website at https://careers.hsnsudbury.ca/.

Come discover Sudbury’s exceptional quality of life, abundant lakes, parklands and extensive recreational opportunities. Sudbury is a bilingual community, and offers a variety of excellent elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education institutions

KEY FUNCTION: 

Provide information to clients and families about genetic factors in conditions, disabilities, and birth defects.  Educate patients about genetic risks and the availability of testing to help patients make informed choices.

REPORTING:                            

Under the general direction of the Manager, Medical Genetics Program.

DUTIES:

1. Provide genetic counselling to clients and families who seek information due to a family history, recent diagnosis, or suspected diagnosis of a genetic condition.
2. Identify, organize, and summarize pertinent medical and genetic information for use in counselling.
3. Convey genetic, medical, and technical information to clients who have a variety of education, socio-economic, and ethno-cultural backgrounds.
4. Explain technical and medical aspects of diagnostic and screening methods and reproductive options, including associated risks, benefits, and limitations; assess client understanding and response.
5. Identify major concerns and respond to emerging client or family issues.
6. Provide counselling to pregnant women and couples.
7. Provide short-term, client-centered counselling and psychological support to clients and those individuals/couples who have suffered a pregnancy loss.
8. Design a case management plan around clients’ decision and systematically evaluate the extent to which optimal outcomes have been achieved.
9. Provide attending Geneticists with a succinct and precise case summary of each client prior to appointment.
10. Work collaboratively with Geneticists, other physician specialists, patients, families, and members of the health care team to identify priorities, target dates, strategies, or interventions to facilitate the development of an individualized plan of care.
11. Attend clients’ clinic appointments to ensure continuity of care and for self-educational purposes.
12. Arrange and coordinate testing and follow-up with clients, laboratories, and professionals; make referrals to other professionals and agencies as required.
13. Ensure privacy and confidentiality of medical information.
14. Act as a resource and identify local, regional, and national resources and support services.
15. Establish and maintain inter and intra-disciplinary professional relationships to function as part of a health care delivery team.
16. Participate in regional, provincial, and national professional organizations, including the Ontario Health Provincial Genetics Program (OH-PGP) and Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC).
17. Participate in program planning, development, meetings, and educational days.
18. Develop and update policies and procedures for the department and identify education needs.
19. Plan, organize, and conduct public and professional education programs on human genetics, patient care, and genetic counselling issues.
20. Promote the services offered through the Medical Genetics Program to the public and physicians.
21. Develop pamphlets and written information on different topics for client use.
22. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
23. Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
24. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
25. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
26. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required. 
27. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: 

1. Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Genetic Counselling, from an accredited university.
2. Current certification or eligible for certification with the Canadian Board  of Genetic Counselling (CBGC) or American Board of Genetic Counselling (ABGC).
3. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE: 

1. Two (2) years’ experience working in a Prenatal, Pediatrics, Adult, and/or Cancer Genetics department within a health care environment is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES: 

1. Demonstrated knowledge of human genetics as it applies to genetic counselling.
2. Demonstrated sound judgement with organizational, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
3. Demonstrated superior client and family service orientation.
4. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of lean methodology for process improvement.
5. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
6. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
7. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
8. Demonstrated ability to manage routine correspondence, multiple tasks/projects, diversified workload and rapidly changing priorities and challenging deadlines.
9. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
10. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY: 

1. Demonstrated ability to counsel clients with empathy and respect.
2. Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment.
3. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
4. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
5. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
6. Demonstrated positive work record and good attendance record.
7. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
8. Ability to travel between local sites.

OTHER: 

1. Bilingualism is an asset.

Selection Process:  Candidates will be selected for this position on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume and completed Application Form submitted. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview where required.
 

Health Sciences North is committed to providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities to enable their participation in the recruitment, assessment, selection and hiring stages of employment.

HSN THANKS ALL APPLICANTS.
ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.