Genetic Counsellor
Apply for the Genetic Counsellor role at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, Fellowship.
Job Overview
Moorfields is one of the world’s leading eye hospitals, providing expertise in clinical care, research and education. Our main focus is the treatment and care of NHS patients with a wide range of eye problems, from common complaints to rare conditions which require treatments not available anywhere else in the UK. We treat people at our main hospital base in London’s City Road and at a number of satellite facilities in and around the capital, enabling us to provide expert treatment closer to patients’ homes. Moorfields has contracts with more than 80 primary care trusts across the country, making us a truly national centre for eye care.
We are also a major postgraduate teaching centre and a national centre for ophthalmic research involving, in partnership with the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, the largest ophthalmic research programme in the world. In addition, we directly manage three commercial divisions: Moorfields Private, Moorfields Pharmaceuticals and Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai.
Responsibilities
* 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 the patient.
* Make the best possible adjustment to the disorder/risk of the disorder.
What’s in it for you?
At Moorfields, we invest in you—your growth, your wellbeing and your future.
* Competitive salary (including high‑cost area supplement)
* Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
* 24/7 independent counselling support
* Career‑long learning and development opportunities
* Excellent transport connections
* Access to NHS and Blue Light discount schemes
* Free Pilates classes
* Full support and training to develop your skills
* And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please view our Moorfields benefits leaflet.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
* Work as part of a team of genetic support staff, coping with a flexible timetable to cover the clinical requirements of the Genetic Service as efficiently as possible.
* Be responsible for your own clinic and clinical/research workload.
* Provide ongoing advice and support to patients and families in the outpatient clinics and by telephone.
* Explain risks of carrier status to at‑risk individuals, modes of inheritance and counselling of patients before undertaking pre‑symptomatic testing.
* Record family histories and pedigrees.
* Obtain blood samples using phlebotomy skills.
* Ensure that samples are passed to the appropriate laboratories for the correct tests.
* Act as an ongoing point of contact for the patients, families and other health professionals.
* Work closely with the consultant and junior members of the team to provide continuity of care and supervise junior members of staff.
* Work closely with the medical social workers.
* Maintain close links with the regional genetics units throughout the UK in the management of patients and families and the overseeing of genetic testing.
* Maintain and develop the computerised genetic database of patients and families affected with inherited disorders.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
* Essential: Obtained Genetic Counsellor Registration Board accredited MSc degree in Genetic Counselling OR Attainment of 1st or MSc degree in a scientific or healthcare subject.
* Desirable: Additional training in Genetics; Postgraduate training in Genetic Counselling.
Further Training and Knowledge
* Essential: Basic data monitoring and computer skills.
* Desirable: Advanced computer skills; Background in medical/genetic research.
Experience
* Essential: Previous experience in counselling, medical, or scientific environment.
Personality and Personal Attributes
* Essential: Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team; Ability to work independently when required and demonstrates an autonomous approach to work.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of our organisational culture. As part of our pledge to take positive action in recruitment we encourage applications from under‑represented candidates including BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) and Disabled candidates as we work towards a representative workforce that is able to provide the quality, dignity and respect and to deliver above and beyond.
Moorfields is a flexible working friendly organisation, and we are committed to helping our employees achieve a work‑life balance that is beneficial for health and wellbeing, motivation levels and job satisfaction. Every employee of the Trust has the right to request to work flexibly. Please speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Due to the nature of this position, employment is subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK, completion of a satisfactory DBS disclosure and two references. We do not offer visa sponsorship for roles unless clearly stated in our adverts.
Contact
For further details or informal visits contact:
Elena Schiff, Principal Genetic Counsellor, email: elena.schiff@nhs.net
If you have problems applying, contact: Emma Blake, email: emma.blake10@nhs.net
Documents to Download
* Genetic Counsellor Job Description & Person Specification (PDF, 304.6KB)
* Staff Benefits (PDF, 865.7KB)
* MEH Privacy Notice (PDF, 138.0KB)
#J-18808-Ljbffr