Over fifty years ago, when James Watson and Francis Crick made their Nobel Prize–winning discoveries about how DNA stores and passes on hereditary information, they opened up a whole new world of health care considerations. The Human Genome Project has continued this, and today the world of genetics is one of the most fascinating sciences. Genetic counselors help others understand this information and how it applies to their specific situations.

Duties, Activities, and Scope of Practice

Geneticists can now identify literally hundreds of genetically transmitted diseases and conditions. The genetic counselor works with patients who need more information about genetic disorders affecting themselves, their family members, and even their unborn child.

Genetics can help to predict the occurrence of diseases and conditions in patients of all ages. They can also predict the possibility of disease or conditions for couples with family histories of these diseases should they decide to have children.

Education and Training

Genetic counselors need to have a bachelor's degree and at least two years of graduate study, which is usually a master's degree in human genetics. They should have had biology, molecular and Mendelian genetics, chemistry, psychology, probability, and statistics in their bachelor program. The master's program should include courses in biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, bioethics, human genetic laboratory studies, medical genetics, issues in clinical genetics, and clinical counseling. Fluency in a foreign language is also recommended.

Licensure/Certification

Licensure and certification are not required. Certification is available and denotes competency. Over 70 percent of genetic counselors are certified. The examination is given by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Their Web site is www.abgc.net. Recertification is required every ten years.

Work Settings and Salaries

Genetic counselors work primarily in medical centers that are usually associated with universities where the genetic testing is performed. Most work in obstetrics or pediatrics. Others work in specialty clinics and centers where adults and children are treated for genetic disorders.

This is a relatively new and growing profession, and the salaries vary tremendously depending upon geographic location, genetic disorders, and responsibilities. Salaries are reported to range from $18,000 to over $75,000 per year. Mean salaries were in the $40,000 range throughout the country.

Career Potential and Additional Information

This is a relatively new profession, and the opportunities are expanding along with the findings of the Human Genome Project. One hundred percent of the graduates in genetic counseling are working in the field. This represents the demand for these professionals as well as the wide acceptance of these counselors as respected members of the health care team.

For more information about careers in genetic counseling, contact the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC). Their Web site is www.nsgc.org. Their address is 233 Canterbury Drive, Wallingford, PA 19086-6617.