What Is a Genetic Counsellor? Skills, Salary, and More

Genetic counsellors are experts in medical genetics that support families and individuals looking to undertake genetic testing to assess the risks of developing or passing along certain inherited disorders, given their family history. Genetic counselling is a growing field, and innovative technologies continue to give genetic counsellors new ways to analyse genetic data and help people.  

Discover more about genetic counsellors, including what they do, how much they earn, and different specialisations in the field. Also, learn the steps to join the profession and explore cost-effective online courses that can help you begin your career.

What is a genetic counsellor?

A genetic counsellor advises people on genetic conditions that might affect them or their relatives through an assessment of their family history. These conditions may include birth defects, multifactorial disorders like cancer and diabetes, or neurogenic and psychiatric disorders.

Genetic counsellors work closely with patients to educate them on types of hereditary conditions following their assessment, discussing whether they need genetic testing and the various options available, including any ethical considerations. People enter genetic counselling for many reasons, such as when they are pregnant or thinking of starting a family and want to know the risks of their child developing a specific genetic condition or when managing their own health or that of a family member.   

What does a genetic counsellor do?

Genetic counsellors work with people with concerns about genetic predispositions at all stages of life. In this position, you may provide prenatal screening to determine whether a baby is likely to be born with a hereditary disease or condition and work with adults to assess whether they are likely to develop genetic diseases following the onset of certain symptoms. 

You also provide counselling and support following testing, helping people adapt to the implications of results on their physical, mental, and familial well-being. 

Typically, as a genetic counsellor, you will do the following:

• Interview patients to understand their medical and family history.

• Assess whether patients are at risk from genetic disorders using the information on family history.

• Discuss testing options with patients, including risks, social and ethical considerations, and benefits.

• Support patients and their families with counselling and education following results and before testing.

• Perform prenatal genetic screening and pregnancy counselling.

• Support couples through premarital genetic screening and help families care for affected children.

• Ensure confidentiality and privacy of patients and ensure patients understand informed consent. 

Generally, genetic counsellors work widely in the healthcare system as an integral part of disease prevention and treatment. 

Genetic counsellor salary and job outlook

The median annual salary for genetic counsellors in India is ₹4,55,000 [1]. Salaries vary according to experience, location, type of employer, and your specialism. You may look into improving your experience by overseeing junior genetic counsellors, and by looking at earning an advanced degree.

Job outlook for genetic counsellors is positive, as the healthcare community values their work and its importance. In recent years, genetic counselling has been embraced in India as the medial field increasingly recognises the role of genetics, increasing the need for professionals in this area.

Career progression is positive, with plenty of options for specialising in a particular area, such as oncology and prenatal. You’ll also find some niche specialisations, such as psychiatric genetic counsellors and chromosomal disorders counsellors, as well as the opportunity to move into more senior positions with management responsibility. 

Genetic counselling specialisations

As a genetic counsellor, you can practise generally or choose to specialise in a single area related to a type of condition or group of conditions. In this position, you may also specialise in working with a particular population, such as children. 

Cardiology 

Genetic counsellors specialising in cardiology work with people to establish a genetic risk for cardiovascular diseases, such as sudden death syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, and cardiomyopathy. In this specialisation, you might collect information on family history, make recommendations for screening when necessary, and support patients through genetic testing, diagnosis, and options available.

Neurology

A specialisation in neurology means that a genetic counsellor is qualified to establish a genetic link for neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and epilepsy. In this specialisation, you might work with patients to decide whether they want to undergo testing, helping them understand the implications of doing so, and support them through the process after they've received their results.

Oncology 

Oncology specialists look for inherited risks of all types of cancer. By specialising in oncology, you would support patients and help them understand the risks of having children and passing on hereditary cancer genes. You would also have the opportunity to offer cancer screening and discuss treatment options and risk reduction strategies.

Pediatrics

Genetic counsellors specialising in paediatrics work with families of children diagnosed with or at risk of developing an inherited condition. You would work hands-on to advise families on their medical options and offer emotional support.

Preconception

Preconception genetic counsellors work with couples seeking to conceive to assess their genetic predispositions and offer advice and guidance on lifestyle and health to support a low-risk pregnancy. 

Prenatal

Genetic counsellors specialising in prenatal offer screening to expectant parents to determine the risks of their baby having genetic disorders. This care for patients considered at high risk comes from specialists.

Steps to becoming a genetic counsellor

Genetic counsellors are highly qualified and undertake many years of education and training to do their job effectively. The following offers a look at what you can expect to do to join the profession.

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree.

The first step to becoming a genetic counsellor is to earn a bachelor’s degree, ideally in a relevant subject such as life sciences, medicine, psychology, sociology, or nursing. This step typically takes three years. Think about incorporating courses and modules and mathematics as well as focusing on biological aspects.

2. Complete genetic counselling training.

The Board of Genetic Counselling advises that you sign up to an accredited training programme or MSc following your bachelor’s degree. You’ll find that the Board of Genetic Counselling is accepting applications for more. Some examples of courses accredited by The Board of Genetic Counselling at various levels include [2]:

• MSc in Genomic Counseling, Manipal Hospitals, Bangalore 

• Certificate in Genetic Counselling in Sri Guru Ram Das University of Health Sciences, Sri Amritsar 

• MSc Programme in Genetic Counselling, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad 

You must also engage in training related to your specialism. You may be able to undertake training through internships or in the workplace in entry-level roles. 

3. Gain experience

Consider building your experience whilst you study. Internships and entry-level roles are an excellent way to find training opportunities, create a network, and gain valuable professional experience.

4. Develop relevant skills.

As a genetic counsellor, you'll use technical skills unique to each position, like knowledge of research methods and lab techniques, alongside workplace skills that are vital to working with patients and other medical professionals. These skills include:

• Interpersonal skills: To simplify complex medical information for patients and caregivers to understand.

• Compassion: When dealing with people who have found out worrying or upsetting information about their health or that of someone with whom they are close.

• Critical thinking: To work out how best to present information to patients and how best to analyse risks.

• Decision making: Essential skill when considering how best to share knowledge with patients and their families. 

Next steps on the path to becoming a genetic counsellor

Genetic counsellors work with patients and families to identify possible genetic disorders and predispositions, offering support through diagnosis and offering possible next steps. 

If a career as a genetic counsellor sounds interesting to you, then you might consider taking a cost-effective online course to better familiarise yourself with the field. Duke University's An Introduction to Genetics and Evolution gives learners like you a basic overview of some of the primary principles behind fundamental areas of biology and prepares them for more advanced coursework in the field.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)