Genetic Counselor - Cancer

Overview

The Genetic Counselor provides comprehensive genetic counseling and risk assessment services to patients and families within the cancer population and the broader community. This role supports individuals seeking information about hereditary cancer syndromes, inherited conditions, and genetic risk factors that may influence medical management, treatment planning, and long‑term health decisions. Working closely with a geneticist and a clinical coordinator, the Genetic Counselor plays a key role in patient education, testing coordination, and ongoing variant monitoring.

• Counsel and educate patients and family members on genetic and inherited conditions, including implications for treatment, prevention, and family planning.
• Obtain and review medical records, conduct literature reviews, and collect detailed three‑generation family histories to perform accurate risk assessments.
• Facilitate the genetic screening and diagnostic testing process, including informed consent, test ordering, and disclosure of results.
• Communicate genetic test results, risk estimates, and standard recommendations to patients and referring physicians.
• Support patients and families in adjusting to genetic information using counseling skills and document all interactions in the medical record.
• Create and interpret pedigrees to identify hereditary patterns and risk factors such as BRCA mutations and other cancer‑related genes.
• Utilize Epic’s pedigree generation tools and participate in ongoing Epic training as needed.
• Monitor genetic variants over time as research evolves, ensuring patients are notified of any clinically relevant updates—even if they have moved or transitioned care.
• Collaborate with the geneticist and coordinator to review variant “buckets,” track changes, and ensure timely follow‑up.
• Coordinate patient appointments and assist with workflow processes to maintain efficient operations and timely access to care.

Henry Ford Health requires one of the following for all positions in this job family:

• High school diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR
• Associate’s degree / Technical degree OR
• 4 years of applicable cumulative job‑specific experience

• Master’s Degree in Genetic Counseling (required)
• Credentialed within 6 months of hire
• Eligible for licensure in the State of Michigan

• Experience with pedigree software (helpful but not required).
• Familiarity with Epic or other electronic medical record systems (training provided).

Provides genetic counseling and risk assessment services to the appropriate patient population.

• Counsels and educates patients and family members by providing information regarding genetic and inherited conditions.
• Obtains and reviews medical records to facilitate evaluation, conducts review of the literature, obtains patient and three‑generation family history and risk assessment.
• Facilitates genetic screening and diagnostic testing process, including informed consent and result disclosure.
• Communicates all genetic test results, risk estimates, and standard recommendations to the patient and any referring physicians.
• Helps patients and families adjust to genetic information using counseling skills and documents all patient interactions.

• High school diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR
• Associate’s degree / Technical degree OR
• 4 years of applicable cumulative job‑specific experience required.

Preferred Credential(s):
Counselor specializing in Genetics.

• Organization:
  Henry Ford Health St. John Hospital
• Department:
  Cancer Genetics
• Shift: Day Job
• Union Code:
  Not Applicable