Genetic Counsellor
Healthcare
Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.
What you'd do all day
The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.
- 1Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
- 2Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
- 3Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
- 4Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
- 5Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
- 6Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
- 7Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.
- 8Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
- 9Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.
- 10Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.
- 11Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics.
- 12Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients or medical personnel.
- 13Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.
- 14Refer patients to specialists or community resources.
- 15Design and conduct genetics training programs for physicians, graduate students, other health professions or the general community.
- 16Evaluate or make recommendations for standards of care or clinical operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, ethics, legislation, or policies.
- 17Engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics or genetic counseling.
- 18Collect for, or share with, research projects patient data on specific genetic disorders or syndromes.
- 19Identify funding sources and write grant proposals for eligible programs or services.
Also known as
What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.
- Clinical Reviewer
- Genetic Counselor
- Genetic Counselors
- Genetics Counselor
- Genetic Coordinator
- Medical Science Liaison
- Cancer Genetic Counselor
- Cancer Program Consultant
- Prenatal Genetic Counselor
- Certified Genetic Counselor
How far is this from you?
Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.
1
Entry straight after SPM
2
SPM + sijil / short TVET course
3
Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)
4
Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)
Typical entry
Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route
Subjects that matter here
The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.
What you'd need to know
The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.
- Biology96%
BiologyAdditional Science
- Psychology91%
- Medicine and Dentistry88%
BiologyChemistry
- Therapy and Counseling87%
BiologySports Science
- English Language82%
English
- Customer and Personal Service77%
Tools you'd use
Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.
What the work feels like
Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.
- Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
- Contact with other peopleConstant contact
- Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
- Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
- Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
- Noisy environmentAlmost never
- Time spent sittingMost of the time
- Time spent standingA little
AI and demand for this job
A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.
Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)
This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not Malaysian. Shown because it's the only forward-looking demand estimate we have for this job.
Pay in Malaysia
We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.
Where to check:
- JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
- DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
- SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
Check what you may qualify for
Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.
How to get here
Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.
Related careers
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About this information
This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.
O*NET occupation: Genetic Counselors
Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org