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Genetic Counseling
I'm a high school junior and currently interested in health, more specifically genetics. I've looked at genetic counseling and completing the AP science courses available at my school. What can I do to improve my portfolio and what would my pathway be to become a genetic counselor? #school #health #Genetics #careers #medicine
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John’s Answer
This will give you a better idea of what they do, how to be one and qualities required which help you understand what to focus on or improve.
Genetic counselors provide information and advice to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. They provide information and support to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
Duties
Genetic counselors typically do the following:
Interview patients to get comprehensive individual family and medical histories
Evaluate genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific genetic disorders
Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts for patients or referring physicians
Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits, and limitations with patients, families, and other healthcare providers
Counsel patients and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance regarding genetic risks and inherited conditions
Participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics and genomics
Genetic counselors identify specific genetic disorders or risks through the study of genetics. A genetic disorder or syndrome is inherited. For parents who are expecting children, counselors use genetics to predict whether a baby is likely to have hereditary disorders, such as Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis, among others. Genetic counselors also assess the risk for an adult to develop diseases with a genetic component, such as certain forms of cancer.
Counselors identify these conditions by studying patients’ genes through DNA testing. Medical laboratory technologists perform lab tests, which genetic counselors then evaluate and use for counseling patients and their families. They share this information with other health professionals, such as physicians and medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians.
According to a 2016 survey from the National Society of Genetic Counselors, most genetic counselors specialize in traditional areas of genetic counseling: prenatal, cancer, and pediatric. The survey noted that genetic counselors also may work in one or more specialty fields such as cardiovascular health, genomic medicine, neurogenetics, and psychiatry.
Genetic counselors typically need a master’s degree in genetic counseling or genetics, and board certification.
Education
Genetic counselors typically need a master’s degree in genetic counseling or genetics.
Coursework in genetic counseling includes public health, epidemiology, psychology, and developmental biology. Classes emphasize genetics, public health, and patient empathy. Students also must complete clinical rotations, during which they work directly with patients and clients. Clinical rotations provide supervised experience for students, allowing them to work in different work environments, such as prenatal diagnostic centers, pediatric hospitals, or cancer centers.
The Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling accredits master's degree programs.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
The American Board of Genetic Counseling provides certification for genetic counselors. To become certified, a student must complete an accredited master’s degree program and pass an exam. Counselors must complete continuing education courses to maintain their board certification.
About half of the states require genetic counselors to be licensed and other states have pending legislation for licensure. Certification is typically needed to get a license. For specific licensing requirements, contact the state’s medical board.
Employers typically require or prefer prospective genetic counselors to be certified, even if the state does not require it.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Genetic counselors must be able to simplify complex findings so that their patients understand them.
Compassion. Patients may seek advice on family care or serious illnesses. Genetic counselors must be sensitive and compassionate when communicating their findings.
Critical-thinking skills. Genetic counselors analyze laboratory findings to determine how best to advise a patient or family. They use their applied knowledge of genetics to assess inherited risks properly.
Decisionmaking skills. Genetic counselors must use their expertise and experience to determine how to share their findings properly with patients.
Genetic counselors provide information and advice to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. They provide information and support to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
Duties
Genetic counselors typically do the following:
Interview patients to get comprehensive individual family and medical histories
Evaluate genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific genetic disorders
Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts for patients or referring physicians
Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits, and limitations with patients, families, and other healthcare providers
Counsel patients and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance regarding genetic risks and inherited conditions
Participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics and genomics
Genetic counselors identify specific genetic disorders or risks through the study of genetics. A genetic disorder or syndrome is inherited. For parents who are expecting children, counselors use genetics to predict whether a baby is likely to have hereditary disorders, such as Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis, among others. Genetic counselors also assess the risk for an adult to develop diseases with a genetic component, such as certain forms of cancer.
Counselors identify these conditions by studying patients’ genes through DNA testing. Medical laboratory technologists perform lab tests, which genetic counselors then evaluate and use for counseling patients and their families. They share this information with other health professionals, such as physicians and medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians.
According to a 2016 survey from the National Society of Genetic Counselors, most genetic counselors specialize in traditional areas of genetic counseling: prenatal, cancer, and pediatric. The survey noted that genetic counselors also may work in one or more specialty fields such as cardiovascular health, genomic medicine, neurogenetics, and psychiatry.
Genetic counselors typically need a master’s degree in genetic counseling or genetics, and board certification.
Education
Genetic counselors typically need a master’s degree in genetic counseling or genetics.
Coursework in genetic counseling includes public health, epidemiology, psychology, and developmental biology. Classes emphasize genetics, public health, and patient empathy. Students also must complete clinical rotations, during which they work directly with patients and clients. Clinical rotations provide supervised experience for students, allowing them to work in different work environments, such as prenatal diagnostic centers, pediatric hospitals, or cancer centers.
The Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling accredits master's degree programs.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
The American Board of Genetic Counseling provides certification for genetic counselors. To become certified, a student must complete an accredited master’s degree program and pass an exam. Counselors must complete continuing education courses to maintain their board certification.
About half of the states require genetic counselors to be licensed and other states have pending legislation for licensure. Certification is typically needed to get a license. For specific licensing requirements, contact the state’s medical board.
Employers typically require or prefer prospective genetic counselors to be certified, even if the state does not require it.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Genetic counselors must be able to simplify complex findings so that their patients understand them.
Compassion. Patients may seek advice on family care or serious illnesses. Genetic counselors must be sensitive and compassionate when communicating their findings.
Critical-thinking skills. Genetic counselors analyze laboratory findings to determine how best to advise a patient or family. They use their applied knowledge of genetics to assess inherited risks properly.
Decisionmaking skills. Genetic counselors must use their expertise and experience to determine how to share their findings properly with patients.
Thank you so much! That helps a lot.
Alacia
Updated
Jean’s Answer
Once you get your degree in genetic counseling, I would also pursue a degree or coursework in whole food plant based nutrition (see https://www.ecornell.com/certificates/nutrition/plant-based-nutrition/) and Google "whole food plant based" or WFPB. Why do I say this? Because scientists state that just because a person has the gene for Alzheimer's or Parkinson's or heart disease, this doesn't mean that a person is going to get the disease. Lifestyle is reported to be over 75% of the cause of many health conditions but most people and most doctors don't realize this because they do not receive ANY nutrition coursework. Why does type 2 diabetes or heart disease seem to run in families then? Because families not only pass down their genes, but also their cultural and lifestyle activities. Think of your favorite dish that your mom makes for the family. Are you planning on learning how to make it and eventually make that for your children? Of course, I did! So what do I mean by "lifestyle"? Lifestyle includes what you eat on a day by day basis (should be mostly fiber from fruits and vegetables), what exercise/activities you do on a day by day basis, how do you spend your day, do you smoke, do you spend more than 1 hour a day sitting watching TV or on your mobile phone, do you sit most of the day on a computer, what type of sleep do you get and how much sleep every day, do you drink alcohol on a day by day basis and how much, do you engage in healthy social activities and have healthy social relationships with friends and family? If you are able to get this WFPB nutrition coursework under your belt along with your genetic counseling degree, you will truly be unique and a tremendous help to the medical staff and community you work in (not to mention for your own family).
Google "WFPB" or "Whole Food Plant Based" nutrition
Go to https://nutritionfacts.org/ and sign up for Dr. Greger's daily videos and blogs
Go to https://www.pcrm.org/podcast and sign up for the Exam Room Podcast to get more information from doctors and scientists about genes, disease and lifestyle
Jean recommends the following next steps:
That is actually very interesting, Thank You!
Alacia