Job Description

Department Overview

Under direct supervision and guided by the procedures of the Genetic Counselors, the Genetic Counselor Assistant (GCA) may be responsible for:

• Review and triage patient referrals for appropriate scheduling or other action as appropriate.
• Assisting with clinic flow.
• Tracking status of ordered tests and results.
• Interviewing patients and documenting personal and family medical history.
• Drawing and updating patient pedigrees.
• Coordinating continuity of patient care with internal clinical specialties and external healthcare organizations and facilities, including requesting medical records and patient specimens.
• Assisting with paperwork in relation to genetic test ordering and insurance authorizations.
• Directing patients to laboratory for blood draws.
• Ordering supplies.
• Maintaining databases with patient information, pedigrees, and clinic statistics.
• Other patient preparation and follow-up tasks.

The Genetic Counselor Assistant works as a team member with other clinicians and administrative staff. This individual must operate in a professional and courteous manner. The successful candidate must pay close attention to detail and demonstrate excellent customer service skills with patients and staff.

Function/Duties of Position

This position will support the full pediatric genetics team which includes other GCAs, genetic counselors, physicians, nurse practitioners, clinic managers and other administrative staff. The position will work most closely to 2-3 genetic counselors, assisting them with aspects of patient intake, genetic counseling, and documentation. This may include:

• Interviewing patients and documenting personal and family medical history.
• Medical record preparation and maintenance.
• Drawing and updating patient pedigrees.
• Preparation of letters of medical necessity or insurance appeals.
• Assisting with clinic flow.
• Providing technical support to patients for connecting to telehealth visits.
• Contacting laboratories to determine necessary steps for gene testing for genetic testing.
• Tracking testing orders for genetic counselors
• Phone and mychart contact with new and established patients and family members regarding genetic counseling, genetic testing, and follow-up
• Performing other duties as assigned including filing, mail management, inventory/ordering, formulating letters, follow-up with referring health professionals, participating in clinic quality improvement efforts, attending team meetings.

Required Qualifications

• Six months of work experience in a medical office setting, including high volume direct patient contact OR one year of work experience in a high volume direct public contact position

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Basic computer keyboarding skills including typing of 30 - 45 wpm.
• Note: Successful completion of a formal OHSU Administrative Internship Program will substitute for one year of experience. Contact Compensation for confirmation of eligibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a biological/health science or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with patient and or family contact in a community or medical setting. Previous experience with clinical projects, either in an administrative or clinical role, strongly preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of medical practice terminology and genetic terminology and concepts.
• Experience with EPIC EMR.
• Basic computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in writing, over the telephone and in person. Ability to deal sensitively and effectively with patients. Excellent organizational skills. Excellent customer service and problem solving skills. Ability to work well both independently, with little supervision, and in a team setting.

Additional Details

• Work involves remote and in-office activities, walking long distances, sitting for long periods, and may involve using the aerial tram.
• Lifting boxes up to 20lbs

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.

To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.edu