The Genetic Counselling Career

The U.S. News and Globe Report named Genetic Counseling as certainly one of their

very best careers in 2009. Although it might be an emotionally tiring task at times, being a Genetic Counselor can be a extremely gratifying career that gives regular compensation. As Genetic Counselor's income ranges from $60,000 to $75,000 yearly, it isn't difficult to know why this profession is sought right after.

Genetic Counselors, true to their name, work in the healthcare industry as experts in medical genetics. They are more a mix of counselors and doctors because they primarily help patients and doctors make decisions based on a person's genetic history. Doctors consult these counselors to conduct additional tests to aid them in their diagnoses for a more accurate analysis of their patients' cases and for guidance to the proper treatment. Patients often consult these professionals before deciding to start a family as they may have fears of a reoccurring genetic disease. Genetic counseling will determine whether a child will inherit any genetic disorders running through their families through a series of tests, including the investigation of current family illnesses, analyzing inheritance patterns and disorders, and the general counseling of the family.

Genetic Counseling can be a very rewarding and gratifying career because they are able to help people make decisions based on their findings and in most cases, start a family. As a matter of fact, 90 percent of counselors were reported to be satisfied with their jobs. However, drawbacks are present as well, as this job can be emotionally stressful at times when bad news must be given to couples who want to be parents but have an overwhelming probability of having their child inherit a genetic disorder. Thus, as a counselor, genetic counselors must be able to handle the fears and uncertainty that couples have about how a genetic disorder may possibly be a hindrance to the growth of their future child. An additional drawback is that the career path is very linear and it may take many years before a significant promotion. This is a major hurdle for genetic counselors and many are making are addressing this problem through private practices.

Becoming a genetic counseling primarily involves obtaining a master's degree from a university with a program accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Typically, these programs include courses in genetics, counseling ethics and psychology. In addition, training is conducted for future professionals to empathically and thoroughly explain genetic disorders to at-risk or recently diagnosed patients. Following graduation, qualified candidates can take the American Board of Genetic Counseling's certification exam for a licensure certificate that will enable them to practice their craft for five years. Most states do not require licenses for genetic counselors but many employers require job candidates to have this certification in order to be accepted in their institution.

Those who have obtained licenses will go on to several paths in their profession, from becoming part of a healthcare team to working on diagnostic laboratories, to becoming social workers and public health professionals.

by: George Kleban

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