Genetic Counseling Assistant - Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases (CICVD)

The Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases (CICVD) at the Fuster Heart Hospital of the Icahn School Medicine at Mount Sinai is seeking a Genetic Counseling Assistant (GCA). The GCA will report to the CICVD Director and will work with all CICVD staff. Under the supervision of the genetic counselors the GCA will help facilitate genetic counseling services within a diverse patient population. The GCA will assist in the coordination of care both prior to and following a genetic counseling session. This includes the collection of information and records necessary prior to an appointment triaging appointments and coordinating necessary follow-up. The GCA will need to be able to communicate effectively professionally and sensitively with patients providers and team members. The position requires exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills. The applicant should have the ability to work efficiently independently and as part of a team. Specific duties are outlined below.

Prior to Genetic Counseling appointments

• Triage timely genetic counseling appointments urgent vs. non-urgent depending on their medical management requirements.
• In cooperation with intake coordinators prepare genetic counseling charts with all needed documents and pertinent pathology/medical reports.
• Contact patient and/or medical providers to obtain documents as needed.
• Contact patient prior to appointment to collect family history and generate pedigrees.
• Facilitate data entry of health history questionnaires.
• Assist with pre-authorization for visit and/or testing.
• Assist with the communication to appropriate labs to verify insurance coverage.
• Assist patients with utilization of telehealth services.

Post-Genetic Counseling appointments

• Coordinate paperwork and authorization for family/physician communication.
• Schedule patients for lab and/or disclosure visit.
• Track patient consents and sample collection for remote patients.
• Prepare patient test requisitions for genetic testing and research testing with basic genetics and testing requirements.
• Assist in necessary preparation of documentation for test processing.
• Work closely with various laboratories / insurance during the pre-authorization process.
• Execute requests for medical necessity letters or requests for clinical consultation notes.
• Communicate insurance information to patient i.e. co-pays or deductibles.

Patient follow-up

• Receive and organize genetic test results from laboratories.
• Work with counselors/clinicians to schedule disclosure visits.
• Prepare genetic test results for scanning into Medical Records.

Additional support

• Follow up with patients regarding reclassified genetic test results.
• Update clinical database and records when results are reclassified.
• Follow up on VUS results as needed by patient and/or providers.
• Periodic follow up with genetic testing laboratories regarding VUS results.
• Answer and resolve routine phone inquiries or email requests and triage calls/ emails to genetic counselors.
• Scan and email information to patients with proper authorization
• Cover for administrative assistants when absent.

Database entry

• Help input data into clinical/research database.
• Maintain database.

Research roles

• Assist with regulatory (IRB) documentation
• Perform informed consent for research studies
• Work with clinical research coordinators to coordinate study visits for patients who participate in research studies
• Opportunities to more actively participate in human subjects research including data analysis abstract and manuscript preparation assisting with preparation of grant-related materials

• Bachelors degree in a biological/genetics/health science or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Knowledge of genetics and genetic concepts. Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office software including Word Excel and PowerPoint required.
• Bi-lingual or multi-lingual capability (Spanish) preferred.

Non-Bargaining Unit 821 - Cardiology - ISM Icahn School of Medicine