Genetic Counselor job description.
A genetic counselor helps patients and families understand genetic conditions, inheritance risks, and testing options. They interpret genetic and family history information, guide patients through decision-making, and coordinate with physicians and laboratories to support informed healthcare choices.
The Genetic Counselor job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Genetic Counselor Reports to: Clinical Director or Medical Director
A genetic counselor helps patients and families understand genetic conditions, inheritance risks, and testing options. They interpret genetic and family history information, guide patients through decision-making, and coordinate with physicians and laboratories to support informed healthcare choices.
- Review patient and family medical histories to assess genetic risk
- Explain genetic testing options, results, and implications to patients
- Provide counseling on inheritance patterns and reproductive options
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Clinical Director or Medical Director
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Review patient and family medical histories to assess genetic risk
- Explain genetic testing options, results, and implications to patients
- Provide counseling on inheritance patterns and reproductive options
- Coordinate with physicians, laboratories, and specialists on patient care
- Document patient interactions and maintain accurate medical records
- Support patients in decision-making around genetic health information
- Stay current on genetic research, testing technologies, and guidelines
- Educate healthcare teams on genetic counseling best practices
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Master's degree in genetic counseling from an accredited program
- Current licensure/board certification as required by state and employer
- Strong communication and patient counseling skills
- Understanding of medical genetics and inheritance patterns
- Experience in prenatal, oncology, or pediatric genetic counseling
- Familiarity with electronic health record systems
- Research or clinical trial experience
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Genetic Counselor job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Genetic Counselor job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Clinical Director or Medical Director) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What education is required to become a genetic counselor?
- A master's degree in genetic counseling from an accredited program is required, along with current licensure or board certification as mandated by the state and employer.
- What settings do genetic counselors work in?
- Genetic counselors commonly work in hospitals, prenatal clinics, oncology centers, and diagnostic laboratories.
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This Genetic Counselor job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.