Genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Most enter the field from a variety of disciplines, including biology, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health and social work.
Genetic counselors work as members of a health care team, providing information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. They identify families at risk, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence and review available options with the family.
Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. This process integrates the following: *Interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence. *Education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources and research. *Counseling to promote informed choices and adaptation to the risk or condition.
Adopted by the National Society of Genetic Counselors, Inc. 1983
For additional information about a career in Genetic Counseling, visit the NSGC Careers web page at the following URL:
http://www.nsgc.org/career
Or visit our Genetic
Counseling Links
