Genetic Coun. I at Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH) in Boston, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Working in the Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) the Genetic Counselor will collaborate with and support the Access for All in ALS (ALL ALS) multidisciplinary clinical research team.


Access for All in ALS (ALL ALS). This new consortium is a multi-institutional effort (34 sites) and aims to disrupt the ALS clinical research landscape in the U.S. The ALL ALS consortium will collect clinical and biomarker data from people with ALS symptoms, asymptomatic individuals at risk for ALS, and healthy controls. To foster wide representation across populations, data will be collected from both remote and in-person visits, including many clinical sites located in geographical areas with underrepresented minorities.


We are looking for a licensed clinical Genetic Counselor (LCGC) to perform (in-person and remote) pre- and post-test genetic counseling for participants at genetic risk of ALS and/or FTD in the context of the ALL ALS study. This includes participants who live locally as well as participants located in multiple states across the country. The candidate will be responsible for obtaining family pedigrees, performing pre-and post-test genetic counseling including assessment of psychosocial considerations that might impact the risk of predictive testing, and communicating effectively with research study teams at multiple ALL ALS study sites nationally. Candidates should be a board-certified licensed Genetic Counselor willing and capable of obtaining multistate licensure. Prior experience in clinical research is preferred.



PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with the principal investigator(s) and project managers to oversee the preparation, submission, and maintenance of IRB, FDA, NIH, and other regulatory and research documents.


• Assist with protocol and informed consent development for research studies involving both asymptomatic and symptomatic people at risk for ALS: design the genetic counseling and return of genetic results portion of these research protocols; help direct the use of appropriate mental health, quality of life, and other questionnaires around the time of genetic testing.


• Perform pre-screening for appropriateness of genetic testing in asymptomatic and symptomatic people at risk for inherited forms of ALS for research protocols.


• Perform patient and family genetic risk assessment: collect and evaluate medical and family histories; incorporate knowledge gained from complex medical and genetic literature from varied resources.


• Provide information regarding the etiology, inheritance, incidence risks, and natural history/prognosis for people with/at risk for ALS, facilitate patient understanding of genetic, medical, and psychosocial information including risks, testing options and procedures, test results and their implications; perform psychosocial assessment during genetic consultation, and provide grief counseling as needed; answer genetic testing related study participant inquiries and act as a liaison between participants and study-related parties.


• Assist with return of genetic results within research protocols, including both CLIA and non-CLIA genetic testing using Sanger Sequencing, repeat-primed PCR, whole exome sequencing (WES), and whole genome sequencing (WGS): analyze the clinical significance of variants; assist with evaluation of coincident ALS causative genes; discuss limitations of different forms of genetic testing and confirmation of non-CLIA testing with CLIA testing.


• Help to develop and maintain research participant and patient databases in ALS.


• Participate in monthly translational medicine meetings at the MGH NCRI to promote collaboration between basic science and clinical researchers in neurodegenerative disease across the MGB institutions


• Represent the research program at meetings, and national and international research consortia.


• Coordinate with referring physicians to provide information regarding available research projects and to maintain a strong referral basis.


• Assist with the development of grant application materials, monitoring study budgets, and writing manuscripts.


• Other duties as assigned

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES:

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail


• Effective written and oral communication skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team.


• Familiarity with working with adult patients and their families.


• Computer literacy, particularly comfort with using computer databases.


• Demonstrated knowledge of Good Clinical Practices, FDA, HIPAA, and IRB regulations; an understanding of research procedures; and the ability to function independently following an initial training period.


• Familiarity with genomic databases and variant classification.


• Analytical skills


• Ability to identify problems and develop effective solutions


• High level of discretion and judgment

Qualifications

LICENSES, CERTIFICATION AND/OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Board certification by the American Board of Genetic Counseling required

• Current licensure by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Genetic Counselors, or eligibility to apply for licensure required


• Eligibility to apply for licensure in any state, as needed by ALL ALS

EDUCATION:



A Master's degree in Genetic Counseling is required from a program accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.



EXPERIENCE:



Prior experience in genetic counseling is desired, but not required.



WORKING CONDITIONS:



2.5 days per week. Occasional evenings or weekends may be required for special educational events or meetings. Shared office space in the Neurological Clinical Research Institute



EEO Statement

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Apply Now