The Profession

Genetic counselors are health care professionals who provide genetic services to families seeking information about the likelihood of occurrence or reoccurrence of particular genetic diseases or birth defects. Genetic counselors must be able to adeptly communicate genetic, medical, scientific, and technical information to such families in a comprehensive, understandable, compassionate, and non-directive manner. The genetic counselor does so with knowledge of and insight into the psychosocial and cultural experiences important to each family in a client- and/or family-oriented manner.

Graduates of this program will be able to 1) elicit and interpret individual and family medical, developmental, and reproductive histories; 2) determine the mode of inheritance and risk of reoccurrence of genetic diseases and birth defects; 3) explain the etiology, natural history, diagnosis, and management of these conditions; 4) interpret and explain the results of genetic tests and other diagnostic studies; 5) perform a psychosocial assessment to identify emotional, social, educational, and cultural issues; 6) evaluate the client/family responses to the conditions or risks of occurrence; 7) promote informed decision-making about testing, management, reproduction, and communication with family members; 8) identify and use community resources that provide medical, educational, financial, and psychosocial support and advocacy, and 9) provide written documentation of medical, genetic, and counseling information for the family and other health care professionals.

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