Genetics Counsellor Heart Lung Vascular & Neurology Program(Job Id 17859)

Job title: Genetics Counsellor Heart Lung Vascular & Neurology Program

Job ID: 17859

Site: CA:ON:Toronto: St. Michael's Hospital

Category: Other

Work type: Full-Time Temporary

Date posted: November 4, 2026

Salary range: 47.93-59.91

Shift/ hours of work:

Description

The Heart, Lung, and Vascular Program aims to promote and restore the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by heart, lung, and vascular disease. Our services help patients and their families learn about treatments, identify risk factors and work toward making heart-and lung-healthy lifestyle changes. Our objectives demonstrate our commitment to the promotion of health in education, clinical care, and research.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Genetics

The Genetic Counsellor will independently assess the unique medical/genetic needs of individual cases for the purpose of providing appropriate counselling, education, testing options, and follow-up.

- Under the authority of cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, and respirology physicians, provide clinical counselling services to families with hereditary heart, lung and/or vascular conditions as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Support clinical teaching to genetic counselling medical students and professional colleagues.
- Perform administrative responsibilities to ensure the effective management of individual cases, acting as an advocate for patients, performing cross-functional duties, as assigned or requested.
- Explain the nature of genetics evaluation to clients.
- Obtain and review medical and family histories, based on the referral indication, and document the family history using standard pedigree nomenclature.




- Identify additional client and family medical information relevant to risk assessment and consideration of differential diagnoses, and assist in obtaining such information.
- Research and summarize pertinent data from the published literature, databases, and other professional resources, as necessary for each client.
- Synthesize client and family medical information and data obtained from additional research as the basis for risk assessment, differential diagnosis, genetic testing options, follow-up recommendations, and case management.
- Assess the risk of occurrence or recurrence of a genetic condition or birth defect, using a variety of techniques, including knowledge of inheritance patterns, epidemiologic data, quantitative genetics principles, statistical models, and evaluation of clinical information, as applicable.
- Explain to clients, verbally and/or in writing, medical information regarding the diagnosis or potential occurrence of a genetic condition or birth defect, including etiology, natural history, inheritance, disease management and potential treatment options.
- In cooperative with the larger clinical team, discuss available options and delineate the risks, benefits and limitations of appropriate tests and clinical assessments.
- In collaboration with physicians,



order tests and perform clinical assessments in accordance with provincial and federal regulations. Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
- In collaboration with physicians, determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.
- Document case information clearly and concisely in the medical record and in correspondence to referring physicians, and discuss case information with other members of the healthcare team.
- Assist clients in evaluating the risks, benefits and limitations of participation in research, and facilitate the informed consent process.
- Identify and access local, regional, and national resources such as support groups and ancillary services; discuss the availability of such resources with clients; and provide referrals, as necessary.
- Provide information to other healthcare providers and to patient and family members concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
- Evaluate or make recommendations for standards of care or clinical operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, ethics, legislation, or policies.

Counselling and Communication

- Develop a genetic counseling agenda with the client or clients that includes identification and negotiation of client/counsellor priorities and expectations.
- Identify individual client and family experiences, behaviors, emotions, perceptions, values, and cultural and religious beliefs in order to facilitate individualized decision making and coping.
- Assess client understanding and response to medical information and its implications, and educate client appropriately

📌 Genetics Counsellor Heart Lung Vascular (Toronto)
🏢 St. Michael's Hospital
📍 Toronto