Duke University Health System Job Description: |
| Job Title: GENETIC COUNSELOR ASSISTANT | Job Code: 4667 |
| FLSA: N | Pay Target: B2 |
| Date: 07/13/2026 | Supervisory Responsibility: No. |
The Genetic Counselor Assistant (GCA) provides administrative, clinical, and operational support for certified Genetics Counselors (CGC), physicians and advanced practice practitioners to ensure efficient delivery of genetic counseling services. The GCA will function in collaboration with, not independently of, the Certified Genetic Counselor, physicians, and advanced practice practitioners. The role assists with patient intake, chart preparation, genetic testing coordination, documentation, and communication with patients, laboratories, and clinical teams. The GCA also supports quality improvement activities, data tracking, and departmental initiatives.
Clinical & Patient Support
Coordinate patient appointments, obtain medical records, and prepare charts for genetic counseling visits.
Document patient pedigrees, prepare letters of medical necessity, and upload documentation into the EMR.
Communicate with patients regarding test results (e.g., negative results), follow???up needs, and basic inquiries about genetic counseling processes.
Serve as a liaison between patients and the genetic counseling team.
Genetic Testing Coordination
Maintain inventory of test kits; collect, prepare, package, and ship specimens for laboratory analysis.
Complete test requisition forms and communicate with laboratories regarding test status.
Track testing progress, follow up on missing or recollection required samples, and coordinate additional specimen collection as needed.
Administrative & Operational Support
Answer telephone inquiries, triage patient questions, and support general administrative needs of the genetics team.
Support development of patient education materials, maintain databases, and assist with literature reviews or research activities.
Gather and provide data for quality improvement initiatives and recommend opportunities for workflow enhancement.
Participate in departmental projects, educational programs, and optional clinic shadowing opportunities.
Obtain consent from patients to participate in research studies. May abstract relevant clinical data and enter it into databases.
| Education: | Associate's degree required (science or health???related field preferred). Bachelor's degree in in biology, genetics, health sciences, or related field preferred. |
| Experience: | No prior experience required. Experience in clinical, laboratory, research or healthcare setting is preferred. |
| Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification: | GCA training program certificate preferred. |
| Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: | Basic understanding of genetics, medical terminology, and clinical workflows. Knowledge of genetic testing processes, laboratory coordination, and patient confidentiality standards (HIPAA). Familiarity with electronic medical records and clinical documentation practices. Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with patients, families, and healthcare providers. High attention to detail with strong organizational and time???management skills. Proficiency with EHR systems, databases, and Microsoft Office applications. Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Ability to maintain accuracy in documentation and data management. Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism. Ability to provide patient???centered support and maintain a calm, helpful demeanor. |
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
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Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.