GENETIC.COM.AU
Genetic Counsellors
A Genetic Counselor must be knowledgeable with the current genetic diseases and how these diseases affect the daily lives of an individual. This person must be able to understand the risks involved in acquiring certain genetic disorders. Also, the counselor should know how these diseases may appear in the line of one’s family. It is known that some genetic disorders are hereditary. With this, diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis and Cancer can be immediately traced down on the family. Family members will know the risks of acquiring them in the future through observation of its appearances in their family’s generation.
Working with the families to identify their disorder risks is the common role of a Genetic Counselor. It is very useful, however, for the family to undergo genetic testing. Interpretation of the results may then follow through the help of a Genetic Counselor. Interpretations of the results and additional review as well as experimentation are made available to the members of the family.
The Genetic counselor must have a bachelor’s degree in the disciplines related to the medical field. Fields such as psychology and biology are the ones commonly obtained by Genetic Counselors. Also, it is much better for one to follow this study through a master’s course in genetic counselling. Certification may also be garnered through the practice of genetic counselling. Nonetheless, it is not required for a counselor to obtain such certifications. These can just add up to their experience and credentials for their clients to be more at ease when dealing with them. There is a certification from the American Board of Genetic Counseling which can be acquired from 49 states in the United States. It requires a master’s degree first before allowing you to partake in the certification process.
Below are the responsibilities of a Genetic Counselor
- A Genetic Counselor must be able to comfort families and let them understand the effects of certain genetic processes in the health of their family member.
- A Genetic Counselor must be able to inform the families with certain patterns and risks at hand. In this way the family can adapt to the changes in their lifestyle required in accordance to these genetic disorders.
- A Genetic Counselor must be able to educate his/her clients with available options in hand. This involves the genetic tests which they can participate into.
- A Genetic Counselor must also suggest practices for the family to have an improved lifestyle. With this, preventive medications should also be provided.
- A Genetic Counselor must be able to work in different settings. This involves being able to adapt with the environment he/she is currently working on.
- A Genetic Counselor must research on new innovations for the treatments of certain genetic diseases. With this, he/she can also contribute in these medications to further enhance our technology for the better.
- A Genetic Counselor can work in the research and teaching industry. This will help in dispersing the knowledge with regard to genetic disorders, very rare to develop but can persist in an individual.
Find out more on Genetic Counselors and various ways through which they can help you.
Your genes, your blueprint
Anybody can do anything that he imagines. - Henry Ford