Research Genetic Counsellor

Union: Non-Union
Number of vacancies: 1
Site: Toronto General Hospital
Department: Laboratory Medicine Program Advanced Diagnostics Clinical Genetics and HLA Laboratories
Reports to: Senior Manager Clinical Genetics and HLA Laboratories
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Shifts: Weekdays Monday - Friday
Status: Permanent Full Time
Closing Date: December 31 2025
Position Summary
As a key member of the Genome Diagnostics clinical team the Genetic Counsellor provides specialized support in hereditary testing workflows including test eligibility review variant interpretation clinical database management client communication training and research participation. The Genetic Counsellor acts as a liaison between clinicians laboratory staff and scientific personnel to ensure accurate timely and clinically meaningful genetic testing and reporting for patients and families.
Duties and Responsibilities
The responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to:
1. Client Clinician and Laboratory Liaison
Respond to inquiries about test menus eligibility criteria specimen requirements and turnaround times
Support clinicians with report interpretation escalating inquiries appropriately to senior scientific staff
Provide guidance regarding genetic testing options not currently available at UHN
2. Test accessioning
Review all hereditary test requests to ensure eligibility and appropriateness
Follow up with ordering providers when clarification is required (e.g. correct test selection missing or insufficient clinical information individuals not meeting eligibility criteria)
Support technologists/technicians with questions related to incoming requests
3. Variant Review and Interpretation
Critically review and edit variant interpretation and reporting for accuracy and clinical relevance in the context of clinical information provided on requisitions
Help maintain the clinical database
Manage variant re-interpretation requests coordinate evidence review and communicate results to clinical teams
4. Case Review and Quality Activities
Follow up with scientific or laboratory teams when discrepancies exist between requisitions and reports
Participate in quality improvement initiatives to optimize testing workflows
5. Reporting
~ Review complex or unique reports prior to director sign-out to ensure accuracy and completeness

6. Patient Inquiries
~ Provide general information about genetic testing while ensuring no medical advice or beyond-scope clinical interpretation is given

7. Training and Onboarding
Support training of Annotation Team staff
Collaborate with laboratory staff to maintain current requisitions and forms
Provide documentation for test volumes reporting and data requests (e.g. MOH reporting)
8. Trainee Supervision and Teaching
Act as primary supervisor for first- and second-year genetic counselling students (U of T and external programs)
Set goals select cases evaluate progress and complete formal assessments
Provide ongoing feedback and oversee rotation learning outcomes
9. Research and Academic Activities
Participate in multi-site research as required
Present findings at conferences or workshops
10. Professional Responsibilities
Attend Genetics Grand Rounds case conferences weekly lab meetings webinars and continuing education events
Maintain certification with CBGC/ABGC and track CEUs
Keep institutional training requirements up to date (privacy safety emergency preparedness)
Complete annual UHN performance reviews
Contribute to the profession through participation in committees advisory groups and professional organizations
Qualifications :
Masters degree in Genetic Counselling or recognized equivalent required
Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling and/or American Board of Genetic Counseling certification required
Minimum 2 years clinical genetics experience strongly preferred
Experience in a clinical genetic laboratory preferred
Demonstrated knowledge of hereditary disease and molecular diagnostics
Expert understanding of variant interpretation standards and best practices
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Exceptional organizational ability accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
Understanding of technical workflows in molecular diagnostics
High-level communication skills with clinicians laboratory teams and patients
Excellent time management and ability to prioritize competing tasks
Additional Information :
Why join UHN
In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world UHN offers a wide range of benefits programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor allowing you to find value where it matters most to you now and throughout your career at UHN.
Competitive offer packages
Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
A flexible work environment
Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel restaurants parking phone plans auto insurance discounts on-site gyms etc.)
Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHNs attendance management program to be eligible for consideration.
All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.
UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly.
Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading inaccurate or incorrect UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.
UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.
We thank all applicants for their interest however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Remote Work :
No
Employment Type :
Full-time