title: Defining the role of laboratory genetic counselor.
abstract: An increasing number of genetic counselors are moving into non-clinical roles, where their primary duties do not involve direct patient contact. According to the National Society of Genetic Counselors Professional Status Survey in 2010, 23% of counselors working in non-clinical roles identified laboratory or genetic testing as their primary area of work. Using a survey, we identified 43 genetic counselors who work predominately in laboratory settings. The two primary tasks performed by participants, include acting as a customer liaison (95%) and calling out test results (88%). Nineteen participants (44.2%) also reported spending a considerable amount of time signing reports. The most prevalent areas of job satisfaction were support from laboratory directors (76.8%), autonomy (76.7%), interactions with clinicians (69.7%) and interaction with other genetics counselors (67.5%). This is the first study specifically looking at the roles of laboratory genetic counselors, which is an expanding area of genetic counseling.
authors.affiliation: Genetic Laboratory Services, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Susan.Christian@albertahealthservices.ca
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lilley
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hume
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Somerville
mesh_terms: D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D059232:Laboratory Personnel; D024382:Professional Role; D000078329:Workforce
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