Genetic Counsellor

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Genetic/Genomic Counsellor to join the NWTRGS Cancer Genetics team in delivering a comprehensive, equitable clinical genomic and counselling service for people with, or at-risk of, inherited cancer.

The post holder will have experience in genetic/genomic counselling and will manage an independent caseload of diagnostic, pre-symptomatic and urgent cancer cases. They will have on-call responsibilities which include managing urgent cases and being able to answer appropriate queries.

As a member of the Cancer Genetics Team, the post holder will also be involved in providing cancer risk assessment advice and guidance and be responsible for preparing for and attending relevant MDTs. The post holder may also be involved in a specialist cancer clinic depending on the needs of the service. They will maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the scientific, medical, and psychological aspects of Clinical Genetics. The post holder will work alongside other clinicians within the department, as well as other healthcare professionals, including mainstream colleagues. The post holder should already hold or be working toward professional UK registration.

Main duties of the job

Provide genetic/genomic counselling using different communication modalities such as in-person, virtual and telephone consultations (including preparation and planning for consultation and post clinic follow-up)

Accurately document family history using paper and appropriate computer systems such as Phenotips

Keep up-to-date and clear records

Make appropriate referrals for patients

Maintain a log of all patients seen

Take a lead role in clinic appointments

Support and work alongside cancer mainstream colleagues in the region

Order genetic tests where appropriate

Liaise with other healthcare professionals

Be responsible for preparation of, attending and presenting cases at MDT meetings

May triage referrals of patients to the service within their area of expertise, using appropriate protocols

Risk assessment within their area of expertise using appropriate software

Act as a cancer genetics resource and participate in teaching of genetics to other healthcare professionals/students or patient/public groups.

Be responsible for overseeing some of the cancer team database/spreadsheets of known pathogenic/likely pathogenic carriers for cancer predisposition syndromes

Contribute to service development, audit and studies

About us

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.

Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.

We run major acute services at:

• Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country's top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
• St Mark's Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
• Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
• Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.

We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.

Details

Date posted

04 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£53,751 to £60,651 a year Per annum incl HCAS pr rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

337-NP-9021DG

Job locations

Northwest Thames Regional Genetic Service, 8th Floor, Northwick Park Hospital

Watford road

Harrow

HA1 3UJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential

• oEducated to Master's Level with advanced knowledge and clinical expertise in cancer genetics AND Genetic counsellor Registration with HCPC or AHCS (or be working towards registration)

Desirable

• oCounselling skills qualification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• oSpecialist interest in cancer genetics as demonstrated through clinical expertise and/or research
• oExperience in genetic counselling, at level of Trainee Genetic Counsellor or equivalent
• oExperience of managing an individual caseload

Desirable

• oPrevious experience as a band 7 genetic counsellor
• oExperience of teaching
• oExperience in working in cancer genetics

Skills, abilities and attributes

Essential

• oDemonstrate ability to receive and present highly complex information verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences
• oAbility to work autonomously and manage an independent caseload
• oWorks within AGNC and AHCS code of ethics and scope of practice
• oAbility to work under pressure
• oAbility to use all relevant computer/ IT programs
• oAbility to review current literature and apply new data to risk analysis
• oAbility to work within a multidisciplinary team
• oExcellent organisational skills, attention to detail and recognition of the importance of record keeping
• oExcellent verbal and written communication and listening skills

Desirable

• oProven ability to educate genetic and non-genetic healthcare professionals
• oAttending of, taking minutes, leading and /or organise multidisciplinary meetings/clinics.

HEART values

Essential

• Demonstrate commitment to Trust HEART values - Honesty, Equality, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential

• oEducated to Master's Level with advanced knowledge and clinical expertise in cancer genetics AND Genetic counsellor Registration with HCPC or AHCS (or be working towards registration)

Desirable

• oCounselling skills qualification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• oSpecialist interest in cancer genetics as demonstrated through clinical expertise and/or research
• oExperience in genetic counselling, at level of Trainee Genetic Counsellor or equivalent
• oExperience of managing an individual caseload

Desirable

• oPrevious experience as a band 7 genetic counsellor
• oExperience of teaching
• oExperience in working in cancer genetics

Skills, abilities and attributes

Essential

• oDemonstrate ability to receive and present highly complex information verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences
• oAbility to work autonomously and manage an independent caseload
• oWorks within AGNC and AHCS code of ethics and scope of practice
• oAbility to work under pressure
• oAbility to use all relevant computer/ IT programs
• oAbility to review current literature and apply new data to risk analysis
• oAbility to work within a multidisciplinary team
• oExcellent organisational skills, attention to detail and recognition of the importance of record keeping
• oExcellent verbal and written communication and listening skills

Desirable

• oProven ability to educate genetic and non-genetic healthcare professionals
• oAttending of, taking minutes, leading and /or organise multidisciplinary meetings/clinics.

HEART values

Essential

• Demonstrate commitment to Trust HEART values - Honesty, Equality, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Northwest Thames Regional Genetic Service, 8th Floor, Northwick Park Hospital

Watford road

Harrow

HA1 3UJ

Employer's website

https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Northwest Thames Regional Genetic Service, 8th Floor, Northwick Park Hospital

Watford road

Harrow

HA1 3UJ

Employer's website

https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)