The Evolving Career Landscape
The majority of genetic counselors work in a prenatal, clinical setting where they provide patients and families with a range of information on different genetic risk factors that pertain to specific ethnicities, to risk factors that are specific within the family, to information on advanced maternal age, and to different screening and diagnostic tests that are available to women and men who are interested.
Some genetic counselors work in a clinical setting in a team atmosphere with other genetic counselors, physicians, researchers, nurses, and social workers. These counselors may work in a specialty clinic, in a prenatal or preconception setting, in pediatric genetics, or in adult or cancer genetics. Other genetic counselors have gone into what is considered nontraditional genetic counseling roles.
It seems that as more information is unraveled about genetics and genomics, which is occurring at an amazing rate, there will be a more diverse range of career opportunities available to genetic counselors. Further, with the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003, genetic counselors will be called upon more to serve as educators and resources for health care professionals and for the public regarding issues such as new genetic diagnostics, treatments, new found genes, complex (multifactorial) genetics and more.
Nontraditional Career Paths for Genetic Counselors
- In the research setting
- In diagnostic laboratories
- Working for Internet and Web development companies
- In private practice
- In the pharmaceutical and genetic testing industries
- In public health
- In an HMO or managed care setting
- Teaching in universities
- In health consulting
- In federal, state, and county offices
For More Information
Please visit the National Society of Genetic Counselors web site for more information on a career in genetic counseling.