Genetic Counselor

About the role

The Genetic Counselor II provides 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. This role supports patients across the full range of hereditary cancer conditions and contributes meaningfully to program activities in education, outreach, supervision, and research.

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.
• Collaborates with other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care plans for patients.
• 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.
• Aids in the professional development of genetic counseling interns, medical students, and other healthcare providers.
• 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 sick coverage for other genetic counselors as needed.

Requirements

• Education: Master's Degree in Genetic Counseling.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in clinical genetic counseling required. Up to 7 years experience in clinical cancer genetic counseling preferred.
• Licenses/Certifications: Board-Certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Current licensure as a Genetic Counselor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts required.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of cancer genetics, strong presentation and teaching skills, and the ability to support care delivery across Dana-Farber disease centers, satellite clinics, and affiliated settings.
• 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.
• Knowledge of pedigree standards and specialized pedigree-drawing software.
• Strong interpersonal skills, emotional awareness, professionalism, and patient-centered communication abilities.
• Strong research skills, especially the ability to review and synthesize relevant medical literature and apply findings to clinical and educational work.
• Advanced presentation skills and teaching abilities for formal and informal educational settings.
• Ability to manage multiple clinical, educational, and project-based priorities effectively while maintaining quality and responsiveness.

Skills

• Advanced 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 the major hereditary cancer syndromes, cancer genetics, and cancer risk assessment tools.
• Working knowledge of whole genome analysis and personalized genomic medicine as relevant to hereditary cancer care.

Benefits

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Telemedicine Services
• Wellness Programs
• Professional Development Opportunities

Pay

$107,291.00 - $124,033.00

Schedule

Full-time, Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends as needed.