Overview:
Post Title: Genetics Counsellor
Post Status: Permanent
Department: Department of Medicine and Nephrology reporting to TUN Business manager.
Location: Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9
Reports to: Prof Conlon Department of Nephrology/ Tom Moran Business Manager TUN Directorate
Salary: Appointment will be made in line with government pay policy on the following scale: Senior Social Work Practitioner €59,639 - €75,471 LSI €76,807
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week.
Closing date: 12 Noon on the 13/12/2024
Please note: The hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received.
Job Purpose: To contribute to the provision of a comprehensive, high quality, specialist genetic counselling service for inherited diseases clinics at Beaumont hospital, particularly inherited kidney disease, inherited neurological disease, and family breast cancer clinics.
To carry out the duties and responsibilities of a Genetic Counsellor with the aim of helping patients and families:
* Comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis, probable course of the disorder and the available management.
* Appreciate the way heredity contributes to the disorder, and the risk of recurrence in specified relatives.
* Understand the options (including genetic testing) for dealing with the risk.
* Choose the course of action most appropriate for them.
* Make the best possible adjustment to the disorder/risk of the disorder.
* Contribute to professional education and training.
Responsibilities:
Clinical-Direct Patient Care:
* See patients and their families in inherited disease clinics at Beaumont Hospital.
* Manage an individual caseload, consulting with the Specialist Consultant as appropriate.
* Work within Genetic Counsellor competency frameworks and recognise when to refer to appropriate healthcare specialists.
* Contribute to joint consultant and Genetic Counselling clinics.
* Participate in multidisciplinary clinics.
* Ensure the best possible standard of work by applying scientific and clinical understanding.
* Maintain confidentiality of information about patients, staff, and other health service users.
* Liaise with laboratory colleagues to communicate clinical information necessary for appropriate genetic testing.
* Prioritise work, particularly assessing the urgency of clinical work.
* Maintain accurate records of clinical workload.
* Order genetic tests as clinically appropriate.
* Arrange relevant referrals, consulting with the assigned consultant as appropriate.
* Assess patients to determine need for specialist therapeutic counselling.
* Provide information on the care of other family members.
* Discuss cases with colleagues at clinical meetings.
* Prepare letters to patients summarising clinic discussions and giving test results.
* Undertake any other duties as necessary for an effective patient service.
Communication with Patients and Families:
* Elicit and accurately document patient’s detailed family history.
* Elicit patient’s concerns and expectations.
* Communicate genetic information to patients and their relatives.
* Identify and respond to emerging issues for the patient or family.
* Facilitate effective support to patients who have difficulty accepting a clinical diagnosis.
* Communicate sensitive information about their genetic status.
Self-Development:
* Work within the ethical frameworks of professional organisations.
* Attend regular counselling supervision sessions.
* Maintain annual professional registration.
* Keep up to date with training requirements.
* Participate in appraisal processes.
Communication with Colleagues:
* Attend departmental clinical meetings and teaching sessions.
* Advise colleagues on informed consent issues.
* Discuss cases with ethical complexity with colleagues.
* Assist in the training of less experienced staff.
* Contribute to departmental research and audit.
Leadership & Direction:
* Develop networks to ensure informed communication.
* Be an effective leader and driver for change.
* Balance change with continuity in service delivery.
Quality, Risk & Safety Responsibilities:
* Participate in Quality, Risk and Safety initiatives as required.
* Support quality improvement initiatives.
Qualifications:
* 1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc:
* Registered on the Social Workers Register at CORU.
* 3 years full-time relevant post-qualification experience.
* Provide proof of Statutory Registration before employment.
* 2. Annual Registration:
* Maintain annual registration on the Social Workers Register.
* 3. Health:
* Be in a state of health to render regular and efficient service.
* 4. Character:
* Must be of good character.
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