Genetic Counsellor
The closing date is 30 July 2026

Job Summary
Genetic Counsellor
Band 7 - 1 Year, Fixed Term or NHS secondment opportunity
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
We have an exciting opportunity to join a friendly, dynamic and supportive team of Genetic Counsellors at the South West Thames Centre for Genomics. We are looking for a Genetic Counsellor who is passionate and motivated.
The individual should have the ability to recognise the needs of a service and team and adopt a flexible and collaborative approach to their work. The post is likely to cover prenatal and rare disease genetics, although this may change depending upon the needs of the service and the skills, experience and interest of the individual.
We are fortunate to have City St George's University on site, providing many teaching opportunities at the level of undergraduate, postgraduate and medical students. Our team of consultants is very strong clinically as well as in research and education. We regularly attend conferences and present findings from audits, service development and research projects.

Main Duties of the Job
To provide the highest quality genetic counselling service at regional specialist level for a population of approximately 4 million in the South West Thames area, Surrey and West Sussex. To develop innovative ways of improving patient pathways. To actively participate in audit and service improvement to benefit patient care and improve outcomes. To help individuals and families deal with a genetic disorder.
The post holder is expected to have a rare disease and prenatal caseload, although this may change due to service need.
Key responsibilities:

• Comprehend medical facts, including diagnosis, probable course of disorder, and available management
• Appreciate the way in which heredity contributes to the disorder, and risk of recurrence in specified relatives
• Understand the alternatives for dealing with risk of recurrence
• Help clients choose the course of action which seems to them most appropriate
• Make the best possible adjustment to the disorder in an affected family member and/or the risk of recurrence of that disorder.
• To act as a significant educational resource, both to the wider health care system and trainees in clinical genetics and genetic counselling.

About Us
We provide an integrated clinical genetics service for individuals or families who have or are at risk of having a genetic disorder. We deliver this service at St George's Hospital, a leading London teaching hospital and one of the largest healthcare units in the UK, as well as in a number of local district hospitals across the region including in South West London, Surrey and West Sussex.
Applicants should have completed the MSc in Genetic Counselling, or the Scientist Training Programme (STP) and be eligible to work as a Band 6/7 Genetic Counsellor. Applicants will preferably be registered with the Genetic Counsellor Registration Board (GCRAB), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or equivalent.

Job Responsibilities
Please see the attached supporting job description and person specification document, which contains more information about the role and requirements. Please ensure your application refers to the job description and person specification.

Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential

• (a) MSc in Genetic Counselling (following BSc/BA in relevant subject) or (b) graduate nurse or midwife, with two years post-registration experience, plus counselling skills training of at least 90 hours duration and a genetics course of at least 30 hours.
• It is essential that post-holders at this level, have attained GCRB, HCPC or equivalent registration

Desirable

• Postgraduate degree in related subject

Experience
Essential

• Experience in genetic counselling, at level of Scientist Training Programme (STP) Trainee, Band 6 Genetic Counsellor or equivalent.
• Knowledge and experience of working in the National Health Service (NHS).

Desirable

• Experience as a Band 7 Genetic Counsellor
• Participation in regular clinical supervision

Skills
Essential

• Ability to work autonomously and manage independent clinical caseload efficiently
• Ability to recognise personal boundaries and limitations in knowledge and seek appropriate advice and support from colleagues.
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to analyse research findings to inform practice development
• Familiarity with databases and word processing
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.

Knowledge
Essential

• Current knowledge of practice in a regional clinical genetics service.
• Awareness and adherence of the AGNC code of ethics and the GCRB competencies of clinical practice.

Other
Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to take constructive feedback and reflect on practice.
• Ability to adopt a flexible approach to case load in order to fulfil the needs of the service.
• Ability to independently travel to peripheral clinics

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.

Employer details
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, SW17 0QT, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Lead Consultant Genetic Counsellor
Kelly Kohut
kelly.kohut@stgeorges.nhs.uk
02087255333

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