Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
April 2010
Explosion of scientific knowledge
◦ The “Age of Biology”
◦ Sophisticated and complex medical diagnostics and
treatments
Surgical technologist
Nuclear Medicine
Physical Therapy
Technology
“Helping individuals and families understand
how genetics affects their health and
lives.”
Health professionals with
◦ Specialized graduate degrees
◦ Knowledge of medical genetics
◦ Counseling skills
◦ Expertise in genetic testing
Medical or Clinical Geneticist
◦ MD, Primary care residency plus fellowship or
residency in Genetics
◦ Medical Genetics – a Medical Specialty
◦ Diagnose and Treat
PhD Geneticist
◦ Research
Genetic Counselor
◦ MS degree
◦ Work with patients, consult, order and
interpret genetic tests
Provide information and support to families
who have members with birth defects or
genetic disorders, and to families who may
be at risk for a variety of inherited
conditions
Investigate the disorder or condition,
interpret test results and information about
the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns
and risks of recurrence, and review available
options with the family
•Serve as patient advocates
Pediatric
◦ Help parents, families, children, teenagers
who have, or are at risk for, genetic
conditions such as sickle cell disease,
deafness, mental retardation, birth defects
Adult
◦ Counsel people with medical and
genetic conditions, or a family
history of a condition such as
cancer, Huntington disease,
Alzheimer disease
Cancer Genetics
Clinics,
hospitals, doctor’s
practices
Academic centers
Independent practice
Public Health
◦ Raise awareness of genetics
◦ Improve access to services
◦ Outreach services
◦ Determine public policy
Education
◦ Teach in genetic counseling programs,
selected programs in colleges and
universities
Research
◦ Serve as liaison between research lab and
patients
◦ Explore unanswered questions in genetic
counseling
With Permission:
http://scollege.com/aajantoa
Consulting
pr2003/2003Feb16MyDesk.j
pg
◦ Private Practice
Have increased autonomy and flexibility
◦ Internet Companies (Direct to
Consumer counseling and testing)
Develop online products related to
genetics
◦ Pharmaceuticals
Act as corporate resource for genetics
expertise
◦ Industry/Laboratory
Act as a liaison between diagnostic labs,
referring physicians, and patients
With Permission:
http://www.csusm.edu/academic_affairs/
Helping others
S
Can be emotionally draining
Be open to relocation
Learn about the field:
◦ Read about
Human genome research and ethical dilemmas With permission:
Treatments and tests for genetic conditions http://www.tcc.fl.edu/
◦ Obtain / Investigate
dept/studentserv/ima
ges/counseling.jpg
Information from the National Society of Genetic Counselors
Genetic counseling internships
Obtain recommendations
Develop these skills:
◦ Interpersonal communication skills
◦ Computer literacy
◦ Writing skills
◦ Ability to express yourself clearly (to give presentations)
◦ Interviewing skills
Course work
◦ Molecular biology, chemistry, statistics, research
◦ Consider psychology, physiology, ethics, human
development, anatomy
Many more allied health professionals
will be needed in the future