Genetic Counselors
What they do
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.
Expected pay range
Expected pay range
This represents the median earnings for this career in the selected county or state. In the range shown, 25% of workers earned less than the bottom salary and 25% earned more than the top salary. Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
About genetic counselors
Other titles
Certified Genetic Counselor, Genetic Counselor, Medical Science Liaison, Prenatal and Pediatric Genetic Counselor, Reproductive Genetic Counseling Coordinator
Tasks they perform
- Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
- Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
Skills they need
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
Licenses and Certifications
How to decide which one is right? That depends on an individual’s career path, specialty, and resources.
Certifications
Certifications may be available for this career and can help build knowledge and skills in specific job roles. Explore available certifications (external link opens new tab)
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In demand careers have high-growth, high-demand, and emerging jobs critical to Texas. They are based on economic indicators like in demand industries, labor market trends, and economic conditions, provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
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Additional career information and resources
Learn more about genetic counselors with these helpful sites.
- American Board of Genetic Counseling (external link opens new tab)
- American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (external link opens new tab)
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (external link opens new tab)
- Collaborative Group of the Americas on Inherited Colorectal Cancer (external link opens new tab)
- National Society of Genetic Counselors (external link opens new tab)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Genetic counselors (external link opens new tab)
- Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (external link opens new tab)
- Teratology Society (external link opens new tab)
- The American Society of Human Genetics (external link opens new tab)