Sinai Health is seeking a Genetic Counsellor Assistant to support our Prenatal Diagnosis Unit within our Women's and Infants' Health program.
About This Team
The Prenatal Diagnosis Unit and Medical Genetics program is a regional tertiary program that provides counselling and support to families undergoing genetic testing, counselling and planning of care. We care for a large prenatal population, from preconception or preimplantation, providing support for diagnosed anomalies, chromosome abnormalities, positive prenatal and postnatal screening, follow up for babies diagnosed with antenally diagnosed abnormalities, counselling for future pregnancies, including ethnic related genetic conditions and other populations at risk. We have a strong academic and research focus, being the clinical placement for University of Toronto MSc program, residents in Pediatrics, Medical Genetics, Obstetrics and Gynecology and fellows from the perinatology training program, Maternal Fetal Medicine fellowships and trainees, and the CCMG program in Medical Genetics and Cytogenetics/molecular Genetics, international observers, clinicians and scientists. We also work with many community partners, hospitals and programs as a collaborative approach in supporting patients and families through their journey.
In This Role You Will
- Complete and coordinate submissions to Ministry of Health/insurance companies for approval/financing of genetic testing
- Complete lab requisitions and follow up on genetic testing results with departments across Sinai Health and abroad (as relevant)
- Enter patient data into database
- Prepare letters of medical necessity with guidance from genetic counselor
- Coordinate academic placements and observers
- Contact laboratories to determine status of all genetic tests that are ordered on a regular basis
- Assist with data collection for research studies Assist in clinical investigations in genetics by performing literature searches
- Assist in triaging of patient referrals, placing calls to patients, primary care physicians/subspecialists to request records and confirm appointments
- File charts and provide prepared charts to the appropriate Genetic Counselor to review prior to the family visit
- Assist in writing letters of medical necessity
- Administrative support and assisting genetic counsellors and geneticists with operational support
- Perform other duties as assigned
Job Requirements
Mandatory
- Successful completion of a related bachelor's degree e.g. genetics/genetic counseling, biology, chemistry, or other science/ health-related field from an accredited educational institution
- 1-3 years’ of recent and related work experience
Preferred
- Experience in medical facility, currently in or completion of genetics rotations clinical program
- Previous experience working in a health care or laboratory setting
Skills and Knowledge
- Knowledge of basic genetic concepts and terminology
- Demonstrated expertise in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work with patients and families in a collaborative team environment
- Excellent time management skills with a strong ability to prioritize effectively and able to follow- through on deliverables
- Must possess high degree of efficiency and accuracy, with great attention to detail
- Self-motivation and ability to work both independently and in a team environment
- Skilled in prioritization, multitasking, and critical thinking/problem solving
- Curiosity, creativity, enthusiasm, and the ability to learn quickly
- Demonstrated counselling skills preferred
- Ability to work collaboratively in small teams to improve the operations of immediate work group by offering ideas, identifying issues, and respecting team members
- Strong customer service skills with patients, visitors, staff and external customers in a professional, service-oriented, respectful manner using skills in active listening and problem solving
- Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- Demonstrated satisfactory work performance and attendance history
If this sounds like you and you feel ready to advance your career within health care, apply now and let us know why you would be a great addition to our team.
