Job summary
The Clinical Genetics Service at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust are delighted to invite applicants for a full time, permanent Band 7 Genetic Counsellor post to join our friendly and dedicated team.
Our clinical service covers a broad region from Gloucestershire to Somerset with peripheral units in Gloucester, Bath and Taunton and a central base in Bristol. We are a key partner in the South West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance.
We are a welcoming and supportive team, looking for enthusiastic, innovative and hardworking individuals to join us during this exciting time of Genomic Service evolution and delivery. Applicants should have obtained professional registration with the GCRB or be HCPC Clinical Scientist: Genomic Counsellor registered. We will also happily consider applications from individuals who are eligible for and intending to obtain this professional registration within the next 24 months (with appointment at band 6 until registration obtained)
Please note we also have a fixed term/secondment band 7 post advertised. If you wish to be considered for both posts please ensure that you submit a separate application for each role.
Location - Abbots House and St Michaels Hospital, UHBW main site.
Main duties of the job
- The role will require the individual to provide a high quality genetic counselling service at a regional specialist level using national and local guidelines, helping individuals and families with genetic disorders to:
- Comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis, probable course of the disorder, and the available management.
- Appreciate the way in which heredity contributes to the disorder, and the risk of recurrence in specified relatives.
- Understand the alternatives for dealing with the risk of recurrence.
- Help the patients choose the course of action which seems to them most appropriate.
- To act as an educational resource to the wider health care system in relation to clinical genetics, genetic counselling and mainstreaming of genomic medicine.
- To work as an autonomous practitioner, providing genetic counselling for patients referred to discuss a broad range of hereditary conditions. The caseload will be mixed and may encompass cancer, cardiac, neurogenetic, renal, prenatal and general genetics cases and will include participation in our on-duty genetic counselling rota to manage urgent referrals and enquiries.
- Patients may be seen in hospital clinics, on the ward, in GP surgeries, and rarely on home-visits. Genetic counselling via telephone or virtual appointments will also be offered as appropriate.
- Clinic delivery will include both central and peripheral clinics.
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously and manage independent clinical caseload
- Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Must be mobile for travel
Desirable
- Ability to use patient administration database- Trakgene-
- Ability to educate other health professionals
- oPhlebotomy -
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- MSc Genetic Counselling or STP Clinical Scientist (Genomic Counsellor) training or Professional qualification (e.g RGN or RCM) with valid eligibility to register GCRB certificate
- Genetic Counsellor Registration Board Registration or Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) Clinical Scientist (Genomic Counselling) registration or eligibility and intention to achieve GCRB or HCPC registration in the next 24 months
- Note: Individuals who have not yet achieved required professional registration would, if appointed, be paid at band 6 until registration achieved as per annexe 21 arrangement
Aptitudes
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Emotional resilience to cope with the emotional issues encountered regularly as part of the genetic counselling process
Desirable
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Professional genetic and genomic counselling experience
- A knowledge of genetics obtained through graduate/post-graduate training.-
- Experience of communicating sensitive information to patients
- Experience of working in the NHS and knowledge of the way the NHS works and is developing
- Must work within AGNC code of ethics
- Computer literacy, knowledge of MS word, Excel, Powerpoint and electronic patient databases.-
- Understanding of clinical and research governance
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
- Experience of working in a Regional Clinical Genetics Department
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in research and Audit projects
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously and manage independent clinical caseload
- Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Must be mobile for travel
Desirable
- Ability to use patient administration database- Trakgene-
- Ability to educate other health professionals
- oPhlebotomy -
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- MSc Genetic Counselling or STP Clinical Scientist (Genomic Counsellor) training or Professional qualification (e.g RGN or RCM) with valid eligibility to register GCRB certificate
- Genetic Counsellor Registration Board Registration or Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) Clinical Scientist (Genomic Counselling) registration or eligibility and intention to achieve GCRB or HCPC registration in the next 24 months
- Note: Individuals who have not yet achieved required professional registration would, if appointed, be paid at band 6 until registration achieved as per annexe 21 arrangement
Aptitudes
Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Emotional resilience to cope with the emotional issues encountered regularly as part of the genetic counselling process
Desirable
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Professional genetic and genomic counselling experience
- A knowledge of genetics obtained through graduate/post-graduate training.-
- Experience of communicating sensitive information to patients
- Experience of working in the NHS and knowledge of the way the NHS works and is developing
- Must work within AGNC code of ethics
- Computer literacy, knowledge of MS word, Excel, Powerpoint and electronic patient databases.-
- Understanding of clinical and research governance
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
- Experience of working in a Regional Clinical Genetics Department
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in research and Audit projects
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
