Genetic Counselor Assistant

The Genetic Counselor Assistant works as a laboratory liaison to support genetic testing/billing processes to ensure timely reporting of clinical laboratory results to clinicians/clients. The Precision Diagnostics Laboratory (PDL) within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (DPLM) specializes in molecular and genomic diagnostic testing on both inherited disease testing and somatic clinician presentations, and this position will work in collaboration with the PDL team to ensure that all aspects of genomic testing are coordinated. This position will provide support to ensuring appropriateness of testing ordered, review and coordination of test authorization, education for appropriate specimen collection, follow up and coordination of appropriate family constellation testing, and act as a subject matter expert and point of contact for education and dissemination of information. The laboratory operates in compliance with CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act) standards and inspected by the CAP (College of American Pathologists). To successfully perform this role requires a thorough understanding of genetic testing workflows, the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively, and a strong propensity for critical thinking, decision making, and excellent communication and organizational skills.

Department: Precision Diagnostics PDX Lab

Hours per week: 40, eligible for benefits

Shift: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, work hours may vary based on the needs of the department. With the potential to support weekend and holiday staffing hours as needed.

*This position has potential to be fully remote if applicant is located within CHCO hiring region.

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Genetics, Chemistry, Biology, Medical Technology, or related science field
• Previous genetic counseling support for both germline and somatic testing experience desired.

POPULATION SPECIFIC CARE

No direct patient care.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all the following essential functions. These examples do not include all the functions which the employee may be expected to perform.

• Works as a laboratory liaison to support the genetic testing/billing processes.
• Answers questions pertaining to the process from various clinical teams including both germline and somatic genetic test requests.
• Supports preauthorization requests to ensure access to patient testing including request for letter of medical necessity as appropriate.
• Monitors genetic test work queues and ordering portals to coordinate and manage genetic test requests.
• Monitors and assist with call center and the genetic counseling client phones.
• Coordinates and prepare shipments of specimen kits and testing requisition forms.
• Provides support and help organize workflow for laboratory genetic counselors.
• Assists on any follow up that is required from specimens received or answer questions on best format for clinical testing.
• Develops standard templates for frequent inquiries.
• Tracking testing status, monitoring status of pending paired family samples, mitigating delays, and coordinating additional specimen collection as needed.
• Supports return of genetic results from external testing services and upload to electronic medical records.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics.
• Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients or medical personnel.
• Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.
• Refer patients to specialists or community resources.

SCOPE & LEVEL

Guidelines: Developmental, standard, or intermediate level. Guidelines are generally numerous, well established, and directly applicable to the work assignment. Work assignment and desired results are explained by general oral or written instructions.

Complexity: Duties assigned are generally complex and may be of substantial intricacy. Work assignment is performed within an established framework under general instructions but requires simultaneous coordination of assigned functions or projects in various stages of completion.

Decision Making: Decisions or recommendations on non-standardized situations are limited to relating organizational policies to specific cases. Brings non routine issues to supervisor. Problems that are not covered by guidelines or that are without precedent are taken up with the supervisor.

Communications: Contacts with team members, clients, or the public where factual information relative to the organization or its functions are received, relayed, or a service rendered according to established procedures or instructions.

Supervision Received: Under normal supervision, within a standardized work situation, the employee performs duties common to the line of work without close supervision or detailed instruction. Work product is subject to continual review.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Audio-Visual: Color Discrimination: Good
Audio-Visual: Depth Perception: Good
Audio-Visual: Far Vision: Good
Audio-Visual: Hearing: Good
Audio-Visual: Near Vision: Good
General Activity: Sit: 1-2 hrs. per day
General Activity: Stand/Walk: 4-6 hrs. per day
Motion: Bend: Up to 1/3 of time
Motion: Carry: Up to 1/3 of time
Motion: Lift: Up to 1/3 of time
Motion: Pull: Up to 1/3 of time
Motion: Push: Up to 1/3 of time
Motion: Reach: Up to 1/3 of time
Use of Hands/Feet: Both Hands - Precise Motor Function (Or Fine Manipulation)
Weight Lifted/Force Exerted: Up to 50 pounds: Up to 1/3 of time

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Exposure: Exposure to blood/body fluid: Regular/Frequent.

Exposure: Exposure to chemicals: Occasional.

Exposure: Exposure to infectious diseases: Frequent.

Exposure: Exposure to radiation: Occasional.

Exposure: Exposure to skin irritations: Occasional.

Mental and Emotional Requirements: Manages stress appropriately.

As part of our Total Rewards package, Children's Colorado offers an annual employee bonus program that rewards eligible team members based on organizational performance. If organizational goals are met for the year, the bonus is paid out the following April.

Children's Colorado delivers annual base pay increases to eligible team members based on their performance over the previous year.

EEO Statement
It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. Be aware that none of the questions are intended to imply illegal preferences or discrimination based on non-job-related information. The position is expected to stay open until the posted close date. Please submit your application as soon as possible as the posting is subject to close at any time once a sufficient pool of qualified applicants is obtained.

Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.