Genetic Counselor
King's College · Dubai
The Genetic Counselor is responsible for providing comprehensive genetic counseling services across both pediatric and adult patient populations at King’s College Hospital London, UAE. The post holder will support patients, families, and healthcare professionals through the assessment, interpretation, and communication of genetic and genomic information, enabling informed healthcare and reproductive decision-making. The role involves evaluating personal and family medical histories, assessing genetic risk, facilitating genetic testing pathways, explaining test results, and providing psychosocial support throughout the patient journey.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Genetic Counselor will collaborate closely with pediatric and adult specialists including neurology, pediatrics, oncology, obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine, fertility medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, and other relevant specialties. The post holder will contribute to the delivery and development of clinical genomic services, support patient education and service promotion initiatives, participate in audit, quality improvement, and research activities, and ensure that genetic counseling practice is delivered in accordance with professional, ethical, regulatory, and organizational standards. The role encompasses both inpatient and outpatient services and contributes to the growth of genomic medicine services across the organization.
Key Accountabilities:
Genetic Counselling Outpatient Services:
- Deliver comprehensive genetic counselling services to pediatric and adult patients referred for genetic and genomic evaluation.
- Obtain and interpret detailed personal, developmental, medical, and family histories to assess inherited disease risk.
- Facilitate informed decision-making regarding genetic and genomic investigationgs.
- Communicate complex genetic information in a clear, compassionate, and culturally sensitive manner.
- Provide psychosocial support to patients and families before, during, and after genetic testing.
- Develop individualized management and follow-up plans in collaboration with referring clinicians.
Newborn Genome Screening Program Support:
- Support the delivery and expansion of the hospital's newborn genome screening program.
- Provide pre-test education and counselling to parents regarding the scope, benefits, limitations, and potential outcomes of genomic screening.
- Deliver post-test counselling and facilitate understanding of screening results, including positive, uncertain, secondary, and incidental findings.
- Coordinate referrals to appropriate specialties and allied health services when clinically indicated.
- Contribute to patient education materials and genomic literacy initiatives related to newborn screening.
Clinical Genomics and Rare Disease Services:
- Support genomic evaluation of patients with suspected genetic, neurodevelopmental, metabolic, neurological, cardiovascular, and multisystem disorders.
- Assist clinicians in identifying appropriate genetic investigations and testing strategies.
- Interpret and communicate genetic test reports in collaboration with clinical geneticists and treating specialist.
- Participate in multidisciplinary case discussions and genomic review meetings.
- Maintain awareness of advances in genomic medicine and evolving testing technologies.
Cancer Genetics and Oncology Services:
- Provide genetic counselling for patients and families undergoing hereditary cancer risk assessment.
- Support oncology teams in identifying individuals who may benefit from genetic testings.
- Deliver pre-test and post-test counselling for cancer susceptibility testings.
- Explain implications of results for patients and at-risk relatives.
- Facilitate cascade testing and family screening where appropriate.
Reproductive, Prenatal and Women's Health
- Genetics Provide counselling relating to reproductive risk assessment, carrier screening, prenatal testing, and preimplantation genetic testings.
- Support obstetric, fertility, maternal-fetal medicine, and gynecology services in the management of patients requiring genomic evaluation.
- Assist prospective parents in understanding reproductive options and genetic risks.
- Communicate testing outcomes and implications for current and future pregnancies.
Proactive Genomic Screening and Preventive Health Progams:
- Support the development and delivery of proactive genomic screening initiatives across pediatric and adult populations,.
- Provide counselling related to predictive and preventive genomic testing.
- Educate patients regarding genetic risk factors, disease prevention, surveillance, and family implications.
- Participate in population genomics and precision medicine initiatives introduced by the organization
Genetic Testing Coordination and Result Management:
- Coordinate genetic and genomic testing pathways from referral through result dsiclosure.
- Liaise with internal and external laboratories regarding sample requirements and testing
- processes.Ensure accurate documentation, consent, and record-keeping relating to genetic investigations.
- Monitor testing workflows and follow-up requirements to ensure timely patient care.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration:
- Work collaboratively with specialists from Pediatrics, Neurology, Oncology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Fertility Medicine, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, and other clinical Services.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, case conferences, and service planning discussions.
- Provide specialist genomic expertise to support clinical decision-making across the organization.
Education, Training and Service Development:
- Deliver education and awareness programs for healthcare professionals, patients, families, and community stakeholders.
- Support the development of genomic medicine pathways, clinical guidelines, and patient information resources.
- Contribute to the growth and strategic development of genomic services across the organization.