Job Title Specialist Genetics Counsellor   Location Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust - Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, South Wales   Closing Date for Applications 26/09/2006   Job Description and Person Specification GWENT HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST Post: Specialist Genetics Counsellor Grade: Band 7 Base: Royal Gwent Hospital Hours: Full Time - 37½ per week Salary: £24,803 - £36,4416 per annum A vacancy has occurred for a full time Specialist Genetic Counsellor based at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport as part of the All Wales Medical Genetic Service, providing a high quality Genetic counselling service within the Gwent Healthcare Trust. Applications are invited from suitably qualified counsellors in possession of MSc in Genetic Counselling. PLEASE QUOTE REFERENCE NUMBER: PT90aug Closing Date: 26 September 2006 “The Trust tries to devote as much of its resources as possible to patient care and therefore to reduce administration costs, we do not advise applicants of the outcome of their application. Applicants will only be contacted if shortlisted to attend for interview. This normally is within 4 weeks of the closing date. We are committed to flexible working and equal opportunities. All posts are subject to a CRB check. We operate a non-smoking policy” Child & Family Division Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Specialist Genetic Counsellor Clinical Nurse Specialist in Genetics Grade : Band 7 Location: Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport or Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny Accountability/Responsibility: Clinically to Consultant in Medical Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, UHW, Cardiff Professionally to Consultant Nurse in Medical Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, UHW, Cardiff Administratively to Divisional Lead Nurse Child & Family Division, Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust JOB PURPOSE As part of the All Wales Medical Genetic Service to provide a high quality genetic counselling service within the Gwent Healthcare Trust. To demonstrate a high level of expertise in helping individuals and families deal with a genetic disorder. This is to be achieved by facilitating the clients and their families to: • Comprehend the medical facts, including diagnosis, probable course of the disorder and the available management. • Appreciate the way in which hereditary contributes to the disorder, and the risk of recurrence in specified relative. • Understand the alternative for dealing with the risk of recurrence • To 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 t the wider heathcare system, members of the general public and trainees in medical genetics and genetic counselling. To actively undertake audit and research within the specialist area. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Communication with clients and families • To act as a central point of contact within Gwent Healthcare Trust for all enquiries from client, their families and professionals. • Using advanced counselling skill, communicate sensitively, in the presence of bereavement, language, cultural and medical issues, to help clients understand the medical facts and make the best possible adjustment to the generic disorder in their family. • To manage own workload within a defined geographical area. Offer all referrals an initial face to face contact to : • Elicit clients concerns and expectations • Elicit and accurately document client’s detailed family history • Interpret medical, family and psychological history • To be responsible for ensuring all diagnostic and relevant family information has been obtained with consent for the purpose of accurate genetic counselling. Liase with Consultant in Medical Genetics and prioritise appointment system. • To participate in Genetic Counselling clinics as the client advocate. • Following genetic counselling clinic to support the client / family to ensure comprehension of the best possible adjustment to the information given. To refer on to other specialist services / resources as required. • With supervision from the Consultant in Medical genetics to take a lead role in providing expert genetic counselling and screening for an individually defined group of inherited conditions and to provide counsellor / nurse led clinics. • Where a genetic disorder has been identified in a family to provide information for families pre-conceptually and / or pre-natally about testing options. Using non-directive and other counselling skills: • To provide support during prenatal testing • To support a couple following an unexpected finding • To give a couple a normal / abnormal prenatal result • To support a couple during a termination of pregnancy • To discuss sensitively with a couple about a decision to have a post mortem • To prepare letters to clients summarising all discussions and test results with supervision from the Consultant in Medical Genetics as necessary • To recognise critical situations within the specialist area and take appropriate action. • Phlebotomy and to ensure adequate precautions are taken to minimise the risk of cross infraction in relation to the collection and sage disposal of body fluids including blood products. Communication with Colleagues • To liaise regionally, nationally and internationally with colleagues, laboratories and other hospital departments to obtain and provide information. • To liaise with colleagues in Wales and other genetic centres to obtain and provide information and to establish understanding and co-operation between Genetic Centres. • To prepare letters to referring clinicians regarding client care. Educational activities • To identify local needs and provide where possible a local in-service programme of education. • To present findings of research, audit and clinical practice to groups of staff or members of the public, within the Trust, regionally or nationally. • To participate in the teaching of genetics to medical personnel, other healthcare professionals and members of the public. • To prepare and present specific articles in clinical and departmental journal clubs. • To contribute to the education of trainee genetic counsellor by providing clinical placements in Gwent Self Development • To take personal responsibility for continuing professional self-development and keep up to date with changes in the practice of genetic counselling. • To attend monthly group counselling supervision sessions at the Institute of Medical genetics to discuss difficult cases with group and the staff supervisor. • To take up individual supervision with the staff supervisor to address personal issues. • To ensure personal professional responsibilities ands accountability in accordance with NMC regulations are met (nursing staff only) • To work towards registration with the associate of genetic Nurses and Counsellors as a registered genetic counsellor. Research and development • To identify areas of research ion medical genetics pertinent to the practice of genetic counselling and liase with Consultant in Medical Genetics and Nurse Consultant in Medical Genetics with a view to implementation. • To co-ordinate with colleagues in genetic research projects that involve clients living in Gwent. • To participate in clinical audit activities instigated by the Institute of Medical Genetics. • To apply research findings to clinical practice ensuring best practice in line with clinical effectiveness and clinical governance. Service Development • To participate in professional development sessions for specialist nurses in the Gwent Healthcare Trust. • To devise and implement effective care pathways for the management of genetic conditions. • To develop and utilize patient information leaflets. Working Practice and Legal Aspects • To adhere to policies and protocols of Gwent Healthcare Trust • To adhere to policies, protocols and care pathways of the All Wales Genetic Service. • To ensure all mandatory training is kept up to date. • To maintain confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 1998. • To carry out all responsibilities with regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy. • To be aware of the responsibilities resulting from the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. To ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees. GWENT HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST Person Specification Essential Desirable Method of Assessment Qualifications • RGN with minimum of 5 years registrar experience • MSc in Genetic Counselling or graduate from appropriate Science background • Degree qualification • Teaching qualification • Application form • Interview Knowledge & Experience • Knowledge of Genetics • Teaching • Good communication skills (verbal and written) • Counselling experience • Counselling qualification • IT skills • Research experience • Clinical audit experience • Application form • Interview Personal Qualities • Enthusiastic • Self directed • Team Worker • Ability to work under pressure • Ability to demonstrate understanding of complex information • Application form • Interview • References Other • Current driving licence • Flexible working   Contact Details For further information regarding this post or to arrange an informal interview, please contact: Joan Foy, Senior Nurse, Neonatal Services on 01633 234600. Application forms and details are available on our website www.gwent-tr.wales.nhs.uk or from the Recruitment Department, Tenby House, Llanfrechfa Grange on 01633 623935 / 01633 623938. Completed applications can be e-mailed to [email protected] or returned to the address given above. (Please note : All e-mailed applications that are received are acknowledged).