Job summary
The Clinical Genetics Service at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust are delighted to invite applicants for a Band 7 Genetic Counsellor 12 month fixed term post to join our friendly and dedicated team.
Our clinical service covers a broad region from Gloucestershire to Somerset with peripheral units in Gloucester, Bath and Taunton and a central base in Bristol. We are a key partner in the South West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance.
We are a welcoming and supportive team, looking for enthusiastic, innovative and hardworking individuals to join us during this exciting time of Genomic Service evolution and delivery. Applicants should have obtained professional registration with the GCRB, or be HCPC Clinical Scientist: Genomic Counsellor registered. We would consider applications from individuals who are expecting to achieve registration during 2024.
Location - Abbots House and St Michaels Hospital, UHBW main site
Main duties of the job
Provide a high quality genetic counselling service at a regional specialist level using national and local guidelines, helping individuals and families with genetic disorders to:
1. Comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis, probable course of the disorder, and the available management.
2. Appreciate the way in which heredity contributes to the disorder, and the risk of recurrence in specified relatives.
3. Understand the alternatives for dealing with the risk of recurrence.
4. Help the patients choose the course of action which seems to them most appropriate.
5. To act as an educational resource to the wider health care system in relation to clinical genetics, genetic counselling and mainstreaming of genomic medicine.
6. To work as an autonomous practitioner, providing genetic counselling for patients referred to discuss a broad range of hereditary conditions. The caseload will be mixed and may encompass cancer, cardiac, neurogenetic, renal, prenatal and general genetics cases and will include participation in on-duty genetic counselling rota to manage urgent referrals and enquiries.
7. Patients may be seen in hospital clinics, on the ward, in GP surgeries, and rarely on home-visits. Genetic counselling via telephone or virtual appointments will also be offered as appropriate.
8. Clinic delivery will include both central and peripheral clinics.
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential
9. Ability to work autonomously and manage independent clinical caseload
10. Excellent organisational and time management skills
11. Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team
12. Must be mobile for travel
Desirable
13. Phlebotomy
Qualifications and Training
Essential
14. MSc Genetic Counselling or STP Clinical Scientist (Genomic Counsellor) training or Professional qualification ( RGN or RCM) with valid eligibility to register GCRB certificate
15. Genetic Counsellor Registration Board Registration or Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) Clinical Scientist (Genomic Counselling) registration
Aptitudes
Essential
16. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
17. Emotional resilience to cope with the emotional issues encountered regularly as part of the genetic counselling process
18. Can demonstrate a understanding and evidence of the UHBW Trust Values
19. Respectful
20. Supportive
21. Innovative
22. Collaborative
Desirable
23. Leadership skills
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
24. Professional genetic and genomic counselling experience
25. A knowledge of genetics obtained through graduate/post-graduate training
26. Experience of communicating sensitive information to patients
27. Experience of working in the NHS and knowledge of the way the NHS works and is developing
28. Must work within AGNC code of ethics
29. Computer literacy, knowledge of MS word, Excel, Powerpoint and electronic patient databases
30. Understanding of clinical and research governance
31. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
32. Experience of working in a Regional Clinical Genetics Department
Desirable
33. Evidence of participation in research and Audit projects
34. Ability to use patient administration database- Trakgene
35. Experience of educating healthcare professionals