Job Description
The Genetic Counselor III provides highly advanced genetic counseling services to patients and families within the Center for Genetics & Prevention and the Pediatric Cancer Genetic Risk Program under the leadership of the Clinical Director, Disease Center Leader, Associate Director of Genetic Counseling, and Genetic Counseling Managers. The Genetic Counselor III provides patient education, and training support within the program. This role manages complex hereditary cancer cases, contributes substantially to research and genomic medicine initiatives, and supports internal education and mentorship efforts. The position requires deep subject matter expertise across common and rare hereditary cancer syndromes, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to guide complex projects that span disease centers and program priorities. The Genetic Counselor III plays a key role in advancing clinical excellence, staff development, and innovation in hereditary cancer care.
Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Provides genetic counseling services to adult and/or pediatric patients and families, including collection of personal and family history, hereditary cancer risk assessment, discussion of testing options, informed consent, result disclosure, and psychosocial support.
- Reviews medical records and documentation of cancer and related diagnoses to support accurate assessment of family histories and hereditary cancer risk across a broad range of conditions.
- Evaluates and selects appropriate genetic testing options and laboratories based on clinical presentation, family history, and current practice standards.
- Coordinates blood and tissue sample collection for genetic analysis and supports timely follow-up related to testing, results, and patient communication.
- Completes required clinical documentation in the electronic medical record and communicates effectively with patients, providers, and other members of the care team regarding family history review, testing eligibility, and care recommendations.
- Assists with variant interpretation for clinical cases and contributes to the development of draft patient education materials and related resources.
- Provides consultation support for patients in other Dana-Farber disease centers, clinics, satellite locations, and affiliate settings, and aids in the professional development of genetic counseling interns, medical students, and other healthcare providers.
- Provides risk review and follow-up to aid in the scheduling of patients, coverage for genetic counselors who are away, and triage patients as needed. This process may include other responsibilities.
- Provides sick coverage for other genetic counselors as needed.
In addition to the above, this position will require the individual to undertake an increasingly independent role. The individual will also be expected to become more deeply involved in one or more key facets of the profession including supervision, training, education and research. Individuals at this level will be expected to perform many of the following:
- Provide genetic counseling services for satellite clinics as part of Dana-Farber’s community outreach programs or actively participate in the development and expansion of existing Dana-Farber clinics/consult programs.
- Educate oncology and community health care providers about cancer genetics, hereditary cancer syndromes and appropriate referrals.
- Facilitate patient support groups, organize patient educational seminars and conferences and create patient-oriented materials regarding cancer genetics.
- Teach genetics classes for genetic counseling students and medical students.
- Provide and edit drafts for patient education materials.
- Clinically supervise genetic counseling interns, medical students and genetics fellows.
- Communicate with media and outside organizations regarding cancer genetics, hereditary cancer syndromes and genetic counseling services.
- Aid in clinical research studies on hereditary cancer syndromes and/or cancer prevention.
- Lead and assist in clinical research studies on hereditary cancer syndromes and/or cancer prevention.
- Contributes to scholarly and academic activities through preparation of abstracts, presentations at genetics and oncology meetings, manuscript development, and participation in Institute initiatives involving genomic analysis as it applies to hereditary cancer.
- Demonstrate proficiency and autonomy in managing complex, cross disease center projects including analysis and interpretation of high-level results.
- Serve as a mentor and guide for other staff through experience in counseling for specific diseases and encouraging professional growth.
- Aid in the training of genetic counselors and other staff in variant analysis and interpretation.
- Coordinate internal education of genetic counselors and other staff through patient reviews, journal clubs and lectures as necessary.
- Initiate, delegate, and oversee clinical research projects with an advanced level of complexity.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Expert ability to provide genetic counseling through collection of family history, assessment and evaluation of histories, knowledge of genetics and appropriate testing, and psychosocial support.
- Expert knowledge of both major hereditary cancer syndromes and rare syndromes, cancer genetics, and cancer risk assessment tools.
- Working knowledge of whole genome analysis and personalized genomic medicine as relevant to hereditary cancer evaluation and management.
- Ability to tailor, translate, and communicate complex information in a clear and relevant way for a broad range of audiences in both oral and written formats.
- Expert knowledge of pedigree standards and specialized pedigree-drawing software.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment with multidisciplinary faculty, staff, and clinical teams across the Institute.
- Strong interpersonal skills, emotional awareness, professionalism, and judgment in complex patient, family, and staff interactions.
- Advanced research skills, especially the ability to review, synthesize, and apply relevant medical literature to clinical, educational, and research activities.
- Advanced presentation skills and teaching abilities, including the ability to educate providers, trainees, and staff in both formal and informal settings.
- Strong leadership skills, including the ability to mentor others, guide complex work, support program priorities, and drive continuous improvement.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex priorities independently and effectively.
At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.
Pay Transparency Statement
The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.
For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
$92,250.00 - $111,298.00
