Job Description

Staff - Non UnionJob Category M&P - AAPSJob Profile AAPS Salaried - Genetic Counsellor, Level AJob Title Research Genetic CounsellorDepartment Turvey Laboratory | Department of Paediatrics | Faculty of MedicineCompensation Range $6,551.00 - $9,418.83 CAD MonthlyThe Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.Posting End Date June 6, 2024Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.Job End Date Jun 30, 2025This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.This offer is conditional upon successful completion of a Criminal Record Check.This position is located within a health-care facility, therefore, the successful candidate will be required to provide verification of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by a provincial health mandate.Note: Only the Full Time Compensation Range is displayed on the job posting details advertised on the UBC Career sites.At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.Job SummaryThe Genetic Counsellor will coordinate the activities of the Rare Disease Discovery Hub (RDDH) at BC Children\xe2\x80\x99s Hospital Research Institute. Many rare genetic disorders defy diagnosis through conventional tests available through the health care system, and only innovative assays offered through research can find an answer for these affected patients. Each patient enrolling in this study will likely have a different, and very rare, condition, which requires flexibility on the part of the research team. Because most patients enrolling will be children, and because most pediatric rare diseases are genetic, the research team must engage with, and be responsive to, the entire family. The Genetic Counsellor will play a major role in liaising with families and their clinical care team, explaining their options for research-based studies, and in coordinating the unique flow of samples and results for each case.Organizational StatusThe Genetic Counsellor will report to and receive general guidance from the Principal Investigators, Drs. Lehman and Turvey. The Genetic Counsellor will work closely and liaise with other research and administrative managers and will interact with numerous clinicians, faculty, staff and students throughout BCCH, UBC, nationally and internationally. The incumbent will also supervise research assistants.Work Performed1. Participant Interaction and Counselling:

• Manage the screening and recruiting of research subjects, devising strategies for effective recruitment, contacting, and following up with patients as required; engage with families to establish and maintain rapport, explain the study protocol, and obtain consent; provide pre-test genetic counselling for initial analysis, ongoing reanalysis, and follow-up testing; and collect and document research participants\xe2\x80\x99 clinical data for various patient databases.
• Coordinate sample collection and shipment, participate in multidisciplinary team meetings for patient-specific discussions, work with the research team to review outcomes of testing, and maintain up-to-date documentation for all study-based interactions.

2. Research Coordination and Management:

• Manage and coordinate collaborative innovative research studies, setting project priorities and goals with investigators; prepare, submit, and manage ethics applications, data sharing agreements, and other applications; and perform data analyses and write reports that track the study\xe2\x80\x99s progress towards goals and timelines.
• Assist with the supervision and work assignment of research staff and trainees.

3. Communication and Collaboration:

• Provide guidance in all communication activities with study stakeholders, including parents, children, referring clinicians, investigators, sponsors, staff, and national and international research partners; and develop manuscripts as a co-author for publication.

4. Professional Development:

• Maintain knowledge of current developments in genomics and genetic counselling by reviewing relevant literature, consulting with other professionals, and attending relevant education programs.

Consequence of Error/JudgementGiven the clinical information collected in our research and the use of patient samples, the highest level of discretion and confidentiality is required.Failure to adopt a professional, respectful, \xe2\x80\x9cParticipant / Family First\xe2\x80\x9d mentality could result in alienation or distrust in our study participations. The goal of advancing science falls second to ensuring we are addressing the needs of our participants as best as possible.Provision of inaccurate information to families, particularly if construed as medical advice, could result in serious harm to participants. It is important to limit information to that which is applicable to the study processes; medical-related questions should be re-directed to the study doctors and/or the individuals\xe2\x80\x99 responsible care providers.Errors in the management of research accounts, as well as errors in reporting procedures, could result in a waste of financial resources. Inadequate documentation, organization, or communication can result in harmful misunderstandings, wasteful redundancy, or loss of compliance with good practice protocols. Institutional approval could be revoked and studies halted.Supervision ReceivedWorks under minimum supervision, receiving specific instructions only on problems or on matters which depart significantly from established policy and procedure. The candidate will work under the supervision of the Drs. Turvey and Lehman. There will be regular reviews of progress, team discussions and assignment of new duties.Supervision GivenThe genetic counsellor will be responsible for the supervision of staff.Minimum QualificationsMaster\xe2\x80\x99s degree in Medical Genetics or Genetic Counselling and one year of internship in medical genetics, or the equivalent in training and experience. Board eligible for certification under the Canadian Association of Genetic Counselling or American Board of Genetic Counselling.Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one\xe2\x80\x99s ownDemonstrates a commitment to enhancing one\xe2\x80\x99s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusionPreferred QualificationsBoard certified under the Canadian Association of Genetic Counselling or American Board of Genetic Counselling.Experience coordinating research projects in an academic or health research setting.Knowledge of project management methodologies and principles, project evaluation and monitoring, and multiple project interaction and integration.Ability to effectively use MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat at an intermediate level.High degree of computer literacy with ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, internet and electronic mail applications at an intermediate level.Superior organizational skills.Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, and multi-tasking skills.Self-motivated to work effectively independently and in a team environment. \xe2\x80\xa2 Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail.Ability to exercise tact and discretion when handling sensitive and/or confidential matters.Ability to make professional decisions and recommendations on all aspects of the research work.Completion of the TriCouncil Policy Ethics course is required prior to beginning this work.

University of British Columbia