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Training to
be a genetic counsellor |
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| For information on genetic counselling and
how to become a genetic counsellor please
download our leaflet
(updated 24/04/2010) |
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How do I become a genetic counsellor? |
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If you are a graduate nurse or midwife, have two
years post- registration experience, have
completed counselling skills training of at
least 90 hours duration and a genetics course of
at least 30 hours, you will be eligible to apply
for a position as a genetic counsellor. When
applying for a post in a genetics centre,
community experience is helpful, as many genetic
counsellors visit families at home. Additional
education or experience in the field of genetics
is also desirable. There are a number of courses
on human or medical genetics available, these
are listed in the
courses directory.
If you are a graduate of a discipline related to
clinical genetics, such as genetics, biology,
psychology or sociology, then you could apply to
do a Master's degree in genetic counselling.
When selecting students for such courses,
selectors will usually require evidence of
experience of caring work, either paid or
voluntary. At present, there are two
institutions offering an accredited Master's
degree in genetic counselling in the United
Kingdom. These are the University of Manchester
and Cardiff University. |
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MSc in Genetic Counselling |
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The Genetic Counselling Registration Board (GCRB)
has approved two (2) MSc courses in Genetic
counselling in the UK. These courses are run at
the University of Manchester and Cardiff
University. Individuals who graduate from these
courses, and successfully complete their
registration portfolios are eligible to become
registered genetic counsellors in the UK.
Individuals who undertake alternative MSc
Genetic Counselling courses will not be eligible
for registration and may find it difficult to
obtain employment as genetic counsellors in the
UK or elsewhere. The GCRB will not
retrospectively approve any MSc course. For
further information about the courses in
Manchester and Cardiff please click on the links
below:
MSc Genetic Counselling -
University of
Manchester
MSc Genetic Counselling - Cardiff
University |
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What skills are needed by a genetic counsellor? |
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There is a clear distinction between genetic
counsellors, who are working primarily with
families at high genetic risk, and other health
professionals who may need a basic knowledge of
genetics to practise in their own settings. The
term 'genetic counsellor' has been adopted in
the United Kingdom as the title for non-medical
health professionals working in clinical
settings, providing genetic counselling.
A study by the Working Party of the Association
of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors (AGNC)
indicated that the education and training of
genetic counsellors needs to include experience
of working with people, genetics education,
counselling skills training, and training in
teaching adults.
A process for standardised education and
training of genetic counsellors has been
developed by the AGNC. Practitioners who are
eligible to register will have either a
background in nursing or midwifery OR have
completed a Master's degree in genetic
counselling with a substantial clinical
component. In either case, the practitioner
should have undergone counselling skills
training of at least 90 hours duration. Genetic
counsellors seeking professional registration
will be expected to have completed a period of
training (probably 2 years) covering a broad
spectrum of genetic counselling. |
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| Definition
and Aims of genetic counselling |
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Genetic
counselling is defined as 'a communication
process which deals with human problems
associated with the occurrence, or the risk of
occurrence, of a genetic disorder in a family
(American Society of Human Genetics, 1975).
The aims of genetic counselling are to help the
individual or family: |
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understand the information about the genetic
condition
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appreciate the inheritance pattern and risk of
recurrence
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understand the options available
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make decisions appropriate to their personal and
family situation
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make the best possible adjustment to the
disorder or risk. |
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Genetic counselling may change the client's
quality of life. Quality of life may change
positively or negatively. Positive change
requires not only provision of factual
information but also:
The formation of good relationships between the
client and the counsellor
enabling the client to place factual genetic
information into the family context
facilitating the client to integrate lay
knowledge with factual information. |
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| Updated March 2010 |
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