Kennedy Krieger Institute has a clinical focus of meeting the specialized needs of children and adults with neurologic and developmental disorders. We are seeking two full-time Genetic Counselor Assistants (GCA) to join our dynamic team of eight genetic counselors and three GCAs. The GCAs assist the genetic counselors with all aspects of patient care. The GCA is responsible for collaborating with the genetic counselors, other clinicians, and Institute staff in the operational functioning of the genetic counseling clinical program to ensure that optimal communication and efficient services are provided to patients and their families. This position is ideal for individuals interested in pursuing a career as a genetic counselor. We ask for a two-year commitment. *Applicants must submit a cover letter.

1. Collaborate with the Patient Access staff and external laboratories to obtain preauthorization for genetic testing as required by patients’ insurance. This includes writing letters of medical necessity, compiling clinical documentation, preparing insurance forms, and obtaining authorization via online portals when available.
2. Coordinate and assist with all aspects of genetic testing. This includes researching genetic test options; contacting lab to determine price, turn-around-time, and sample requirements; completing electronic and paper test requisition forms; ordering specimen collection kits; compiling clinical information for lab; tracking ordered tests; following up on overdue results.
3. Call out negative routine genetic test results under the direction of the genetic counselors and arrange follow-up visits with the genetic counselors as needed.
4. Review relevant medical records and obtain missing documents in preparation for genetic counseling visits.
5. Assist with preparation of genetic counseling visit notes, result summary letters, and other patient/family educational materials.
6. Assist with triaging referrals to genetic counseling.
7. Collaborate with Care Center staff to ensure that cancellations are rescheduled, no-shows are addressed, and new referrals are triaged quickly and appropriately. Ensure that every attempt is made to maintain full schedule for genetic counselors and associated clinic appointments.
8. Respond to inquiries about genetic testing from other Institute staff, patients, families, and outside healthcare providers.
9. Screen, channel, and prioritize patient/family phone calls and electronic communications to genetic counselors. Document any patient/family correspondence in electronic medical record.
10. Perform searches of medical literature (e.g. PubMed, OMIM) and publicly available genetic variant databases (e.g. ClinVar, HGMD, DECIPHER).
11. Assist with clinical research endeavors such as case series and novel gene collaborations.
12. Enter data and maintain internal clinic databases (e.g. clinical exome database).
13. Attend and participate in Neurogenetics and Genetic Counseling clinical meetings.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s degree and successful completion of at least one undergraduate course in genetics required.

EXPERIENCE:
• Experience with patient and/or family contact in a community or medical setting strongly preferred.
• Previous experience with clinical projects, either in an administrative or clinical role, strongly preferred.