Genetic Counseling: A new and evolving field in medicine

Where do patients go for information when breast cancer runs in their family? Or if an ultrasound during pregnancy shows an abnormal screening result? Or if a doctor finds a heart defect possibly linked to a genetic condition? Well, they may be referred or directed to a genetic counselor. This career balances genetics, education and counseling psychology to help empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health. But what does a genetic counselor actually do to help patients and advance the field of genetics? This is a new, rapidly changing field that is on the cutting edge of healthcare so it is understandable that not everyone knows what a genetic counselor actually does on a day-to-day basis. However, more and more individuals are learning about this profession and pursuing careers in genetic counseling. This is why the future is looking very promising for genetic counseling jobs in many different specialties. To give an expanded explanation of what a GC actually does in practice, Ambry Genetics has created a video clarifying the profession:

Look out for more blogs about genetic professions and conditions! If you are looking for more information about the profession or preparing for graduate school, visit the National Society of Genetic Counselors website at http://www.nsgc.org/.