**Job summary**
The successful candidates will provide high quality genetic counselling to adult and paediatric patients across the South West region. The post holders will work as an autonomous practitioner, providing genetic counselling for patients referred to discuss a broad range of hereditary conditions. The caseload will be mixed and may encompass cancer, cardiac, neurogenetic, renal, prenatal and general genetics cases depending on service needs. It will include participation in on-duty genetic counselling rota to manage urgent referrals (including prenatal work) and enquiries.

**Main duties of the job**
For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

**About us**
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

**Job responsibilities**
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

**More detail about the role**
The new South West Clinical Genetics service launched in April 2026, uniting the previous Peninsula and Bristol Clinical Genetics Services to serve a population of over 4.4 million. We are building a modern, region wide service that delivers excellent and equitable clinical care. The service is hosted by the Royal Devon University Trust, with office and clinical locations across the South West including Bristol, Gloucester, Bath, Taunton, Exeter and North Devon, Plymouth and Truro.

South West Clinical Genetics are delighted to be recruiting several fixed term Genomic/Genetic Counsellors to join our progressive and friendly team. There are up to 4 posts, with at least two based in the north of the region supporting clinical activity across Bristol, Gloucester and Bath; one post supporting Somerset and (pending final approvals) a further post in the South of the region.

Candidates applying at AfC Band 7 will be expected to be AHCS/HCPC registered (or overseas equivalent), or eligible for registration within the next twelve months following successful completion of the STP Genomic Counselling Programme, or MSc in Genomic Counselling.

The genetic counsellor team is diverse, benefitting from a mix of nursing, scientific and academic backgrounds. We host regular MSc students and STP trainees, appreciating the new ideas and opportunities for learning and development that these interactions generate. We value this mix of skills and welcome applicants from all AHCS recognised pathways. We are particularly proud of the way our team remains connected and mutually supportive of one another, across a wide geography.

The Band 7 and pre-registration genetic counselling team are supported by two Lead Genetic Counsellors (one based in the north of the region, one in the south), a team of Principal GCs and Training Officers, as well as having clinical supervision from our consultant team and monthly counselling supervision. We have an excellent relationship with our local scientific team and close ties to our GMSA colleagues as part of the South West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance.

We recognise the challenges that have been highlighted in recent years and we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for our patients, for us, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether thats job share, part time or another flexible pattern, with options for some remote working. If it works for our service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

We are fortunate to be based in the beautiful South West of England, with vibrant urban locations; creative and cultural cities and towns as well as stunning coastline and areas of outstanding natural beauty contributing to a high quality of life.

Working Pattern: Full time, 37.5 hours, Monday - Friday
Interview Date: Friday 24th July via Microsoft Teams
For further information please contact: Sarah Buston (01392 404330 or s.buston@nhs.net) or Sarah Gibson (01392 405745 or sgibson1@nhs.net), Lead Genetic Counsellors,

These are fixed term contracts until either 31/05/2027, 30/06/2027, 31/08/2027. For current NHS employees this post could be a secondment opportunity.

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit
You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.