Job summary
Moorfields is one of the world's leading eye hospitals, providing expertise in clinical care, research and education.
Our main focus is the treatment and care of NHS patients with a wide range of eye problems, from common complaints to rare conditions which require treatments not available anywhere else in the UK. We treat people at our main hospital base in London's City Road and at a number of satellite facilities in and around the capital, which enables us to provide expert treatment closer to patient's homes. Moorfields has contracts with more than 80 primary care trusts across the country, making us a truly national centre for eye care.
We are also a major postgraduate teaching centre and a national centre for ophthalmic research involving, with the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, the largest ophthalmic research programme in the world. In addition, we directly manage three commercial divisions: Moorfields Private, Moorfields Pharmaceuticals and Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will carry out the duties and responsibilities of a genetic counsellor with the aim of helping patients and families:
comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis, probable course of the disorder and the available management.
appreciate the way heredity contributes to the disorder, and the risk of recurrence in specified relatives.
understand the options (including genetic testing) for dealing with the risk.
choose the course of action most appropriate for them.
make the best possible adjustment to the disorder/risk of the disorder.
About us
What's in it for You?
At Moorfields, we invest in you--your growth, your wellbeing, your future.You'll join a flexible, supportive organisation offering:
Competitive salary (including high-cost area supplement)
Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
24/7 independent counselling support
Career-long learning and development opportunities
Excellent transport connections
Access to NHS and Blue Light discount schemes
Free Pilates classes
Full support and training to develop your skills
And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please view our Moorfields benefits leaflet.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work as part of a team of genetic support staff, coping with a flexible timetable to cover the clinical requirements of the Genetic Service as efficiently as possible
Will be responsible for their own clinic and clinical/research work load
Provide on-going advice and support to patients and families in the outpatient clinics and by telephone
Explain risks of carrier status to at-risk individuals, modes of inheritance and counselling of patients before undertaking pre-symptomatic testing
Recording family histories and pedigrees
Obtain blood samples using phlebotomy skills
Ensure that samples are passed to the appropriate laboratories for the correct tests
Act as an on-going point of contact for the patients, families and other health professionals
Work closely with the consultant and junior members of the team to provide continuity of care and supervise junior members of staff
Work closely with the medical social workers
Maintain close links with the regional genetics units throughout the UK in the management of patients and families and the overseeing of genetic testing
Maintain and develop the computerised genetic database of patients and families affected with inherited disorders
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work as part of a team of genetic support staff, coping with a flexible timetable to cover the clinical requirements of the Genetic Service as efficiently as possible
Will be responsible for their own clinic and clinical/research work load
Provide on-going advice and support to patients and families in the outpatient clinics and by telephone
Explain risks of carrier status to at-risk individuals, modes of inheritance and counselling of patients before undertaking pre-symptomatic testing
Recording family histories and pedigrees
Obtain blood samples using phlebotomy skills
Ensure that samples are passed to the appropriate laboratories for the correct tests
Act as an on-going point of contact for the patients, families and other health professionals
Work closely with the consultant and junior members of the team to provide continuity of care and supervise junior members of staff
Work closely with the medical social workers
Maintain close links with the regional genetics units throughout the UK in the management of patients and families and the overseeing of genetic testing
Maintain and develop the computerised genetic database of patients and families affected with inherited disorders
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Obtained Genetic Counsellor Registration Board accredited MSc degree in Genetic Counselling OR Attainment of 1st or MSc degree in scientific or healthcare subject
Desirable
- Additional training in Genetics
- Postgraduate training in Genetic Counselling
Further Training and Knowledge
Essential
- Basic data monitoring and computer skills
Desirable
- Advanced computer skills
- Background in medical/ genetic research
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience in counselling, medical, or scientific environment
Personality and Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to work independently when required and demonstrates an autonomous approach to work
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Obtained Genetic Counsellor Registration Board accredited MSc degree in Genetic Counselling OR Attainment of 1st or MSc degree in scientific or healthcare subject
Desirable
- Additional training in Genetics
- Postgraduate training in Genetic Counselling
Further Training and Knowledge
Essential
- Basic data monitoring and computer skills
Desirable
- Advanced computer skills
- Background in medical/ genetic research
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience in counselling, medical, or scientific environment
Personality and Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to work independently when required and demonstrates an autonomous approach to work
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
