Occupation · SOC 29-9092
Genetic Counselors
Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.
Median wage
$98,910
$78,680–$137,780
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
3,510
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
69 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingSocial PerceptivenessWritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive Learning
Knowledge areas
BiologyPsychologyMedicine and DentistryTherapy and CounselingEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Medical softwareData base user interface and query softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and familieAnalyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndr
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Patient and family medical histories — collect and document through structured interviews and electronic medical record review under clinical supervisor guidance.Basic genetic laboratory results — interpret with reference materials and communicate preliminary findings to supervising genetic counselors in a clinical setting.Genetic testing options — describe available modalities, associated risks, benefits, and limitations to patients and families using scripted educational materials under direct oversight.Pedigree construction tools and medical software — use to organize family history data and identify preliminary inheritance patterns in a hospital-based genetics clinic.Genetic consultation reports — draft initial versions of written summaries covering identified risk factors for review and revision by a supervising counselor.Risk assessment frameworks — apply standard protocols to identify individuals or families potentially at risk for common hereditary disorders under structured mentorship.Counseling sessions — participate as a co-counselor to observe and practice delivering information, education, and emotional reassurance to patients and families.Genetics and counseling literature — review assigned peer-reviewed sources to inform treatment plan discussions and build foundational scientific knowledge.Clinical specialty rotations — engage in supervised genetics practice across obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology, or neurology to develop exposure across domains.Active listening and social perceptiveness skills — demonstrate during patient interactions by reflecting patient concerns accurately back to the supervising counselor for validation.
developing
Laboratory results for common hereditary conditions — interpret independently and communicate findings clearly to patients, families, and referring physicians in a outpatient genetics clinic.Informed decision-making conversations — facilitate with patients and families regarding genetic testing options, balancing scientific accuracy with empathetic delivery in routine clinical cases.Family pedigrees and medical histories — analyze using database and analytical software to identify individuals at risk for specific disorders with minimal supervisory review.Genetic consultation reports — compose detailed, accurate written reports translating complex genomic findings into accessible language for both clinical and lay audiences.Treatment and diagnostic plans — coordinate by requesting appropriate laboratory services, reviewing current genetics literature, and synthesizing diagnostic data in a multidisciplinary team environment.Counseling support — provide education and reassurance to patients and families facing hereditary cancer, prenatal, or pediatric genetic diagnoses in a specialty clinic setting.Specialty clinical genetics practice — deliver genetic counseling across at least two domains such as obstetrics and oncology with routine competency and limited oversight.Spreadsheet and office suite software — use to track patient caseloads, organize genetic data, and produce reports that support clinic operations and quality metrics.Ethical and cultural considerations — recognize and navigate in patient interactions to ensure counseling is equitable, non-directive, and sensitive to diverse backgrounds.Time management strategies — apply to balance simultaneous patient caseloads, documentation requirements, and continuing education responsibilities within a busy genetics department.
proficient
Complex or ambiguous genetic laboratory results — interpret autonomously, including variants of uncertain significance, and communicate nuanced findings to patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.Informed consent and testing decision processes — lead comprehensively for high-complexity cases involving rare syndromes, providing individualized risk-benefit analysis without supervisory input.Comprehensive risk assessments — conduct across multiple specialty areas including prenatal, pediatric, oncology, and neurological genetics, synthesizing multifactorial inheritance data and family histories.Genetic consultation reports for rare or complex cases — author with precision and clinical authority, serving as primary reference documents for referring physicians and insurance reviewers.Multi-disciplinary treatment plans — determine and coordinate by integrating genomic findings, literature evidence, and patient-specific clinical history across cardiology, oncology, and other specialty teams.Psychological and educational support — deliver tailored counseling to patients and families confronting life-altering genetic diagnoses, adapting communication style to health literacy and emotional state.Emerging genomic technologies and research findings — critically evaluate and integrate into clinical practice protocols to ensure the department applies current best-evidence approaches.Clinical systems analysis — assess workflow, patient outcomes data, and quality indicators using analytical software to identify gaps and recommend improvements in a genetics program.Specialty genetics consultations — provide expert-level counseling in advanced domains such as pharmacogenomics or hereditary cardiovascular disease without peer oversight.Mentorship of developing counselors — guide caseload discussions, review documentation, and model evidence-based patient communication in a clinical training environment.
advanced
Organizational genetic counseling strategy — define and implement program-wide clinical standards, service lines, and patient care protocols across a health system or large academic medical center.Genetic counseling workforce development — design and lead training curricula, supervision frameworks, and professional development pathways that elevate competency across an entire department or regional program.Policy and advocacy initiatives — represent the genetic counseling profession in institutional, regulatory, or legislative forums to shape practice standards, reimbursement models, and ethical guidelines.Research and innovation agenda — lead or co-lead clinical research studies, grant applications, and publications that advance the evidence base for genetic counseling practice and genomic medicine.Interdisciplinary genomic medicine programs — establish collaborative partnerships with oncology, cardiology, neurology, and reproductive medicine leadership to embed genetic counseling across the care continuum.Quality and outcomes evaluation systems — design institution-wide monitoring frameworks using health informatics and analytics tools to measure, benchmark, and continuously improve genetic counseling services.Complex ethical dilemmas at scale — provide authoritative guidance on institutional ethics committees for novel genomic testing scenarios, population screening programs, and emerging precision medicine applications.Health equity and access strategy — develop and champion initiatives to reduce disparities in genetic counseling services for underserved populations across a health system or regional network.Genetic information communication at the executive level — present genomic program performance, strategic priorities, and resource needs to C-suite leadership, boards of trustees, or government bodies.Next-generation genetic counselors — serve as principal preceptor or program director for accredited genetic counseling graduate programs, shaping the discipline's future professional standards and competency benchmarks.
Also known as
15 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Cancer Genetic CounselorCancer Program ConsultantCertified Genetic CounselorChromosomal Disorders CounselorClinical ReviewerGenetic CoordinatorGenetic Counseling Medical SpecialistGenetic CounselorGenetics CounselorMedical Science LiaisonMitochondrial Disorders CounselorPediatric Genetic CounselorPrenatal and Pediatric Genetic CounselorPrenatal Genetic CounselorReproductive Genetic Counseling Coordinator