We currently require an Associate Genetic Counsellor on a 2 year contract to join the screening team within Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS). We can offer between 0.6 and 1.0 FTE. The position would suit a Grade 2 Associate Genetic Counsellor with experience in reproductive/prenatal genetics.

Genetic counsellors play an integral role in the effective delivery of genetic screening programs. The successful applicant will be primarily responsible for providing genetic counselling regarding: reproductive genetic carrier screening, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and maternal serum screening. This role includes genetic counselling, screening program development, education and research.

The genetic counselling aspect of the role will include: identifying a client’s needs, assessing the requirements for genetic counselling and testing, planning and participating in genetic counselling, interpreting and explaining results of genetic analysis, facilitating further genetic testing including prenatal diagnosis, recording outcomes of counselling sessions and responding to enquiries from referring doctors and other health professionals. This role will involve a combination of telephone and fact-to-face consultations.

A key component of this role involves working closely with both laboratory and clinical teams to ensure effective service delivery of screening programs. This will include ensuring accurate communication of information about genetic screening results to both patients and health professionals, the development of education and marketing materials (i.e. brochures, factsheets, website content), collecting or overseeing the collection of follow-up data on screening program outcomes, providing education to health professionals and working with key stakeholders to ensure the effective ongoing running of screening programs. The genetic counsellor’s role may also include the coordination and implementation of research projects and development and administration of clinical and research databases.

For a list of accountabilities, please download the position description.

Key Selection Criteria

To be successful in this role you will have:

Essential:

• Working with Children & National Police Clearance (if appointed) in compliance with the Victorian Governments Child Safety Standards.
• Master of Genetic Counselling that fulfills the academic requirements for Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) Board Eligible status, or previously attained HGSA Part 1 Certification in Genetic Counselling.
• Commitment to attaining HGSA Board Certification in Genetic Counselling in a timely manner.
• Experience in reproductive/prenatal genetics.
• Knowledge and understanding of genetic counselling, including medical, genetic and psychosocial aspects.
• Ability to work autonomously as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Work with sensitivity to one’s own values and those of others.
• A willingness to show a high motivation, in order to establish priorities, set and maintain deadlines with a demonstrated ability to use initiative.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Displays good organisational, time management and prioritisation skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to high levels of professionalism and confidentiality.
• A willingness to take on ad hoc tasks as required.
• A willingness to be flexible in response to the dynamic needs of the VCGS genetic counselling team.
• Research experience and experience with databases desired.

Salary Range: $84,541.60 - $96,158.40 per annum (pro rata if part time) plus super, plus Higher Qualification Allowance if eligible plus salary packaging benefits.