Senior Genetic Counsellor

KEY FUNCTION:

Assist with the planning, development and evaluation of services and clinical practice standards pertinent to the profession of Genetic Counselling. Represent and advocate for the Genetic Counsellors and Genetic Assistants at HSN. Provide daily support and clinical leadership to the Genetic Counsellors, Genetic Assistants and Program Secretaries and  assume a clinical patient case load.

REPORTING:  

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

DUTIES:

1. Provide daily guidance and support to the Genetic Counsellors, Genetic Assistants and Program Secretaries to ensure high quality and timely service delivery; escalate issues to the Manager as required.
2. Monitor and adjust patient scheduling, wait time management and the efficient running of all in-person and virtual Medical Geneticist clinics. 
3. Resolve issues within the program regarding staffing shortages, equipment, workflow problems and concerns/complaints from patients, referring health care professionals, external genetic testing and phlebotomy laboratories as required. 
4. Ensure patient incident reporting is occurring and escalate high risk incidents to Manager.
5. Monitor the Genetic Counsellor referral triage process as per established guidelines and processes.
6. Coordinate patient rounding and chart auditing; prepare reports and recommendations for corrective action.
7. Coordinate the booking of Genetic Counsellor and Genetic Assistant patient appointments to ensure balanced workload between staff; ensure that the program is meeting its Genetic Counsellor visit and wait time targets per the Ontario Health Provincial Genetics Program.
8. Assist in compiling and tracking of referral volumes, Genetic Counsellor visit volumes and patient wait times to fulfill the Ontario Health Provincial Genetic Program standards and reporting requirements.
9. Support the academic and clinical training of masters level genetic counselling students, medical students and medical residents by aligning learners with opportunities.
10. Liaise with other genetics programs for educational and clinical purposes.
11. Perform all the duties of a Genetic Counsellor when providing direct genetic counselling services.
12. Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
13. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
14. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
15. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
16. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required. 
17. Perform other duties as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

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

EXPERIENCE:

1. Minimum of five (5) years full-time equivalent experience as a Genetic Counsellor preferably in a healthcare environment.
2. Experience with development of clinical processes and policies, leading professional development and leading staff is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of clinical process development and professional development approaches.
2. Demonstrated ability to coach, advise and teach others using the principles of adult learning.
3. Proven ability to manage projects including change management principles.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of program evaluation methods.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of health care accreditation processes and requirements.
6. Demonstrated organizational, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
7. Demonstrated superior patient and family service orientation.
8. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of lean methodology for process improvement.
9. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
10. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
11. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
12. Demonstrated ability to manage routine correspondence, multiple tasks/projects, diversified workload and rapidly changing priorities and challenging deadlines.
13. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
14. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:

1. Successful criminal reference check is required for vulnerable sector.
2. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
3. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
4. Demonstrated positive work record and good attendance record.
5. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
6. Ability to travel between local sites and to travel within the North East region.
7. Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with health care providers, health services providers and patients.
8. Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment.
9. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
10. Demonstrated ability to perform with minimal supervision; to prioritize duties.
11. Valid driver’s license with access to reliable vehicle.
12. Demonstrated ability to work outside regular work hours as required.

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.