Job Description

Genetic Counselor Keesler AFB, MS

Keesler Air Force Base, located on the Gulf Coast in Biloxi, Mississippi, is the home of the 81st Training Wing, which hosts the Second Air Force (2 AF) training, and the 403rd Wing (an Air Force Reserve command).

Biloxi is the town just outside of Keesler's main gate and western Pass Road gate. It includes the waterfront hotels, casinos, and restaurants that host numerus tourists during the summer months. Some neighborhoods are historic and quiet, while others are close to the nightlife, so you will find a mixture of home styles and housing prices.

Ocean Springs is nine miles east of Keesler, across a long bridge, and is a very desirable area for family housing. With historic downtown streets, art galleries, and numerous restaurants and shopping options, you'll find most things you need in Ocean Springs.

Weather on Mississippi's Gulf Coast can be surprising! Winters are generally mild, with some days of cold temperatures that linger just above freezing, while most days just require a jacket or sweatshirt to be outdoors. Spring can be either very cold or very warm, with intense thunderstorms and flooding from heavy rains. One thing that is always consistent: the summers are hot. Temperatures from July through September are frequently in the 90's, and the muggy humidity makes it difficult to be outdoors in the afternoon. Fall can also be pleasantly mild.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions.

ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS OR OBJECTIVES:

The organizational goals or objectives of this position are: To provide focused genetic services relating to patient care/counseling, provider education, and laboratory testing in support of the Air Force Medical Service Mission and the military family. The Air Force Medical Genetics Center laboratory performs specific cytogenetic and molecular Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) laboratory tests for DoD medical facilities worldwide. Clinical patient evaluation and counseling, prenatal diagnostic care, and consultation services are also related to job objectives.

1. Provides comprehensive genetic counseling to the entire spectrum of clients who are referred by consultative request for genetic evaluation, genetic counseling, and genetic testing. This spectrum includes individuals of all ages and their families, including clients who seek pre conceptual, prenatal, neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric, and postmortem genetic health care and advice. The nature of the genetic issues for which genetic counseling is sought includes a family history of suspected or proven hereditary disease, condition, or syndrome; proven or potential manifestations of a genetic disease, questions about diagnostic testing or pre symptomatic screening for genetic disease, advice regarding cause, recurrence risk, management, and reproductive options; resources for psychosocial support; and coordination of genetic care within the military health system. Maintains communication with primary care and specialty health care providers to apprise them of the availability of genetic counseling for their patients. Genetic Counselor will serve as a consultant to facility and non-facility DoD physicians and health care providers regarding highly specialized genetic counseling, testing, and follow up. Counselor interacts daily with MTF medical or nursing staff, ancillary and administrative staff, clients, families peers, and Judge Advocate General personnel. Contacts made in person, via teleconferencing, emails, telephone, and regular mail. Provides comprehensive genetic counseling to clients and families with suspected, at risk, proven or with a family history of genetic abnormalities or possible genetic malformations. Obtains copies of past medical records and lab reports to verify familial diagnosis when indicated. Interprets information about disorders, constructs multigenerational pedigrees and inheritance patterns, and review available options with the family and/or clients. Assesses patient needs as they relate to emotional stress, fear of tests results, and makes appropriate referral recommendations. Maintains all regulatory standards regarding patient confidentiality and HIPPA regulations. Implement and adhere to local and national testing protocols and guidelines for specific genetic diseases such as Huntington Disease to ensure appropriate testing. Accurately documents clinical activities in patient electronic health record. Calculate genetic risks using varies statistical methodologies (including Bayesian analysis), as well as on-line tools and published data. Serves as Air-Force wide source of information on Genetic Counseling, particularly as it pertains to standards and appropriate recommendations and referrals for genetic testing.

STANDARDS:

A. Continuously provides psycho-social support for clients by evaluation and counseling which will include etiology, inheritance, recurrent risk, management options, group activities, research, natural history, and reproductive options.

B. Consistently monitors information from test results, referrals, and reviews cases for further evaluation to assure continuity of patient care.

C. Typically updates patient records when needed and informs team members of patient, test or identification problems.

2. Performs Genetic Laboratory Management duties. Provides over site to the technical staff on appropriate use of genetic testing. This includes reviewing individual lab requests for appropriateness and completeness of information and communicating with ordering providers and patients to obtain sufficient information for accurate testing and reporting of laboratory samples. This also includes generating laboratory statistics that are required for calculating test sensitivity and specificity and meeting regulatory requirements of the College of American Pathologists. Required documentation may include information pertaining to lab reports, referrals, handling of specimens, family history, test results, medical records, computer system updates, quality assurance activities, and statistics. Review and approve all laboratory orders for molecular genetic tests from Air Force, Army, Navy, and VA installations throughout the world. Identify lab orders that require additional family history or clinical information to write accurate results reports. Composes and enters accurate lab reports in the electronic health record (CHCS). Utilize statistical genetic methodologies (such as Bayesian Analysis) to calculate post-test risks when needed. Serves as liaison between genetics laboratory and military and civilian lab officers and health care providers. Provide information about appropriate testing, attributes and limitations chests offered, and protocols required for certain tests including informed consent. Answer questions post-test about clinical significance of results provided and appropriate follow-up if indicated. Serves as liaison between laboratory and commercial or government genetic testing databases (currently GeneTests). Performs required annual verification and updates. Creates entries for new tests that are developed by the laboratory. Curates laboratory databases that maintain information about allele frequency and test performance characteristics. Validates and corrects information that is entered by administrative staff. Provides annual sensitivity and specificity calculations and compares to published test performance data.

STANDARDS:

A. Frequently contacts referring laboratories, providers, or patients to obtain the necessary information for reports.

B. Normally composes and enters accurate lab reports in the electronic health record.

C. Typically provides information about appropriate testing, attributes and limitations of tests offered, and protocols required for certain tests including informed consent.

3. Provides education and research to the USAF Medical Genetics Center. Works with physicians and other faculty to help in teaching and presenting information as an essential member of the USAF Medical Genetics Center. Participate in training to hospital medical staff, medical students, and residency programs. Assists with research that involves genetics based

disorders or the genetics laboratory. Participates in and/or coordinates genetic clinical research laboratory testing. Provides information about legal, ethical, and social implications of genetic testing. Provides assistance with crafting appropriate informed consent documents, collection of appropriate biological samples, and interpreting research test results.

STANDARDS:

A. As requested, develops and/or organizes curricula and conducts lectures, small group discussions, and individual instruction for nursing, laboratory, and medical staff in primary care and specialty areas regarding the fundamental nature of genetic counseling and genetic evaluation.

B. May participate as co-investigator on research projects and counsel patients and obtain informed consent.

ID: 2023-7651

Recruitment Bonus: Negotiable

External Company Name: Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA

External Company URL:

Post End Date: 11/1/2023

Job #NLX245786782

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Job Tags

Summer work, Local area, Worldwide, Outdoor,

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