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Genetic counselor skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.,
Hua Lou Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical genetic counselor skills. We ranked the top skills for genetic counselors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 38.4% of genetic counselor resumes contained patients as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a genetic counselor needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 genetic counselor skills for your resume and career

1. Patients

Here's how genetic counselors use patients:
  • Provided counseling to Huntington Disease Clinic and Movement Disorder Clinic patients.
  • Scheduled patients appropriately for appointments and assisted physicians with procedures.

2. Test Results

Here's how genetic counselors use test results:
  • Reported and discussed the significance and implications of abnormal test results with ordering physicians, genetic counselors, and laboratory personnel.

3. Family History

Here's how genetic counselors use family history:
  • Coordinate appropriate genetic testing based on personal and/or family history and general population screening guidelines.
  • Reviewed Cancer Family History Questionnaires for appropriateness of referral.

4. Genetic Disorders

Here's how genetic counselors use genetic disorders:
  • Counseled over a thousand high-risk pregnancies for genetic disorders.
  • Worked part time with Dr. Lieber evaluating pediatric cases for genetic disorders.

6. Genetic Services

Here's how genetic counselors use genetic services:
  • Presented the company's genetic testing and genetic services in national conferences
  • Offered Genetic services including cancer, adult onset disorders, and pediatrics.

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7. Educational Materials

Educational materials are items and accessories that are used to enhance learning in any given educational setting. They vary per setting and may include audio or visual aids, textbooks, tools, devices, machinery, gadgets, and virtually ant media that can improve the learning process of any individual at the primary or advanced educational level.

Here's how genetic counselors use educational materials:
  • Prepared educational materials for over 30 disorders.

8. Clinical Research

Here's how genetic counselors use clinical research:
  • Coordinated clinical research project in genetics of eye disorders Assisted in preparation of manuscript for research project on hereditary cancer syndrome.

9. Public Health

Here's how genetic counselors use public health:
  • Planned and coordinated public health awareness and promotion campaigns.
  • Certified by the SF Department of Public Health to provide testing and counseling to individuals who choose to take an HIV test

10. Primary Care

Here's how genetic counselors use primary care:
  • Served as a resource for primary care and specialty providers and Central Referral Center.

11. Cancer Genetics

Here's how genetic counselors use cancer genetics:
  • Maintained statistics for cancer genetics and prenatal diagnosis program and pregnancy follow-up.
  • Coordinated cancer genetic counseling and testing for at risk individuals.

12. Research Studies

Here's how genetic counselors use research studies:
  • Coordinated several multisite, NIH-funded research studies and clinical trials.

13. Clinical Genetics

Here's how genetic counselors use clinical genetics:
  • Classify genetic variants based on current literature and write clinical genetic testing reports.
  • Work with clinical geneticist and multi-disciplinary providers.

14. Educational Programs

An educational program is a program primarily concerned with the provision of education, including but not limited to early childhood education, primary and secondary education, post-secondary education, special education, vocational training, career and technical education, education for adults, and any program managed by an educational agency or institution.

Here's how genetic counselors use educational programs:
  • Developed and conducted educational programs for the lay and professional community.

15. Healthcare Professionals

Here's how genetic counselors use healthcare professionals:
  • Presented international and domestic lectures on familial cancer to healthcare professionals and members of the community.
top-skills

What skills help Genetic Counselors find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What type of skills will young genetic counselors need?

Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Sociology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Indeed, the way we work is changing. The skills that young graduates will need are diverse. Transferable skills and soft skills will certainly be marketable. These include traditional crafts such as communication, but I also think the world expects more empathy from its employees. Young graduates with an understanding of racism, sexism, and environmental responsibility will become increasingly important.

What soft skills should all genetic counselors possess?

Hua Lou Ph.D.Hua Lou Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Case Western Reserve University

Communication and teamwork.

What hard/technical skills are most important for genetic counselors?

Kacie Blalock Ph.D.

Associate Professor; Director, Master of Counseling, Louisiana State University at Shreveport

It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.

List of genetic counselor skills to add to your resume

Genetic counselor skills

The most important skills for a genetic counselor resume and required skills for a genetic counselor to have include:

  • Patients
  • Test Results
  • Family History
  • Genetic Disorders
  • Informed Consent
  • Genetic Services
  • Educational Materials
  • Clinical Research
  • Public Health
  • Primary Care
  • Cancer Genetics
  • Research Studies
  • Clinical Genetics
  • Educational Programs
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • IRB
  • Pregnant Women
  • Clinical Trials
  • Genetic Disease
  • Next-Generation Sequencing
  • Community Education
  • Medical Professionals
  • DNA
  • Insurance Authorizations
  • Medical Necessity
  • Medical Residents
  • Satellite Clinics
  • Pediatric Genetic
  • Writing Letters
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Patient Database

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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