Principal Genetic Counsellor | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

The post holder will work predominantly within general, prenatal & PGT genetics. The post holder will utilise advanced genetic counselling skills for individuals and families with or at risk of general genetic conditions, working within the AGNC code of Ethics and maintaining AHCS or HCPC professional registration.

The post holder will contribute to the organisation and development of the key priority areas within the genetic counselling team helping to deliver key strategic, business and national objectives and act as a significant educational resource, both to the wider health care system and trainees in clinical genetics and genetic counselling. Contribution to the research and audit activities of the general, prenatal and PGT genetics service as well as actively delivering the mainstreaming agenda will also be expected.

Undertake an autonomous case load of patients referred into the general, prenatal and PGT genetic counselling team including genetic testing and relevant management. Contribute to the education and training of trainees, colleagues and wider multidisciplinary team in general, prenatal and PGT genetics.

To take a significant role in supporting the Consultant Genetic Counsellors in leading the genetic counselling team in line with the strategic direction of the department. Practice according to departmental and trust policies. Maintain professional registration and proactively utilise counselling supervision to maintain personal and professional boundaries and development.

Contribute to and undertake clinical audits, QIPS, SOPs, patient leaflets and other protocols as needed by the service. Comply with trust clinical governance processes, undertake risk reporting and maintain patient safety.

Take responsibility for providing expert general, prenatal and PGT genetic counselling for patients and families. This will include seeing patients and their families at within the Trust and various regional clinics both in person, on telephone and through video consultations.

Manage an individual caseload autonomously, including taking a lead role in the provision of predictive genetic testing, supporting colleagues in complex decision making clinical appointments, management of urgent referral and enquiries. Communicate effectively with patients and families to elicit concerns and expectations. Obtain, document and interpret family, medical and psychosocial history. Receive and interpret complex and sometimes conflicting information and confirm diagnostic information.

Take responsibility for communicating highly complex genetic information to patients and relatives. This will include calculating the chance of patients and families being affected by a wide range of general genetic disorders, the risks and the management options available such as surveillance and risk reduction. Making decisions where expert opinion differs or some information is unavailable. In order to do this, source and interpret complex scientific papers and genetic test results.

Apply new scientific and clinical information to respond to changes in risk, needs and issues for the family over an open ended time frame. Use advanced counselling skills to expertly communicate highly sensitive and potentially psychologically damaging information, which may cause high levels of distress such as unexpected non-paternity, and lack of management options.

Lead predictive genetic testing for children at risk of inherited genetic conditions in a sensitive manner and involve the parents to maximise an informed decision. Undertake co-counselling with junior members of the genetic counselling team to enhance their knowledge and skill set. Undertake co-counselling with clinical colleagues in complex patients. Undertake triage of referrals received in the genetic counselling team.

Provide information on the care of other family members including identifying at-risk relatives and advising on how they could obtain genetic counselling or screening. Provide clinical supervision to other staff and engage in own clinical supervision. Actively engage with and utilise team counselling supervision and 1:1 counselling supervision to promote safe practice and role model the genetic counselling role across all domains of the principal role.

Liaise with laboratory colleagues to facilitate appropriate testing and storage of specimens, interpret genetic test results and confirm phenotypic information. Liaise with external colleagues, agencies and organisations to facilitate appropriate sharing of information to facilitate options for families such as genetic testing, reproductive decision making and clinical management.

Work within the principles of medical ethics and maintain confidentiality as deemed appropriate by national guidance. Work closely with the Consultant Genetic Counsellors to support service needs and enhance efficient working of the team. Discuss cases with ethical complexity with colleagues where appropriate to aid appropriate care and for education and development purposes.

Take an active role in education through preparation, interpretation and presentation of scientific articles and cases at genetic counsellor team meetings, departmental journal clubs, education sessions and study days. Organise and deliver genetics education to medical personnel, trainees and other personnel attached to the clinical genetics team and professionals in the wider community.

As required mentor trainee and pre-registration genetic counsellors for a defined block of experience and other staff in training including MSc and medical students and new members of staff. Be the named training officer for STP genetic counsellors and liaise with the NSHCS as needed. Act as educational supervisor for trainee Genetic Counsellors as required.

Provide education, clinical updates and upskilling of health professionals undertaking work related to cancer, cardiac or prenatal genetics and risk assessments within the region. Support the organisation and delivery of taught courses for healthcare professionals delivered by the genetic counselling team in conjunction with the Consultant Genetic Counsellors.

Support international collaborations between the genetic counselling team and external agencies through existing and new formal commercial ventures under direction from the genetic counselling leads. In line with Trust policies and in association with Consultant Genetic Counsellors undertake annual performance review for GC’s, CNS and GC support staff identifying objectives and facilitating individual development and training needs.

Participate in organising, chairing and taking minutes of meetings. Participate in the selection and induction of new GC’s, CNS and GC support posts. This includes chairing selection interviews and ensuring effective induction of new staff. Organise clinic cover and on call cover for the genetic counselling team on a rotational basis. Keep and accurate record of leave requests and ensure adequate clinical cover is available.

Understand and apply Trust related HR policies and procedures including performance issues. Demonstrate clear accountability and time sensitive decision making within line management to mitigate risks and offer a supportive and progressive environment to junior staff. Provide regular reports to Consultant Genetic Counsellors to aid performance of team members.

Work within the agreed team structures and policies maintaining a collaborative approach with principal and consultant genetic counsellors to bring out the best in our staff. Contribute to the policy and service development of the general, prenatal and PGT genetic counselling team including information resources within the Trust such as information leaflets, websites, guidance documents and the mainstreaming and genomics priorities.

Represent the general, prenatal and PGT genetic counselling team at Trust and National level. Refining pathways and processes to improve efficiency and overall care. Synthesize and implement initiatives for the continued improvement of multi-disciplinary genetics clinics working closely with administrative staff and pathway co-ordinators.

Act as a significant resource on service developments and liaise with clinical, managerial, IT, administrative and laboratory colleagues to facilitate future developments. Discuss available research options with families with a general genetic predisposition. Highlight the advantages and disadvantages of participating in research, clinical trials and the departmental portfolio of cancer or cardiac studies.

Access and analyse peer reviewed literature to inform clinical practice. Disseminate information about ongoing Trust, national and international research initiatives within the genetic counselling team. Support the genetics research team in clinics when required. Develop resources to support the genetic counselling team such as rotas, calendars and databases.

To disseminate innovations in practice, education and research both nationally through conference presentation and publication. To analyse, appraise and act upon contemporary research evidence. To contribute to the Trust’s Clinical Governance Agenda. To inform and contribute to the Trust’s Research and Development strategy.

Work within the GCRAB Scope of Practice and Standards of Proficiency, and the AHCS Good Scientific Practice (GSP) whilst adhering to the GCRAB Code of Conduct and/or if HCPC registered then the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics. Practise in accordance with the AGNC Code of Ethics. Maintain continuing professional development (CPD) in accordance with the requirements of their relevant register(s) AHCS/ HCPC.

Maintain fitness to practise and comply with the requirements for maintaining registration, including applicable annual renewal and declarations. Openly discuss difficult cases or challenging scenarios with team members and utilise expertise available to continually develop and evolve as a practitioner and manager. Actively invest in self-care and personal development to enhance well-being and interactions within the work place including patient care. Have the trust values at the core of all interactions.