How to hire a pediatric genetic counselor

How to hire a pediatric genetic counselor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pediatric genetic counselor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a pediatric genetic counselor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new pediatric genetic counselor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your pediatric genetic counselor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a pediatric genetic counselor for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A pediatric genetic counselor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, pediatric genetic counselors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents pediatric genetic counselor salaries for various positions.

   Type of Pediatric Genetic Counselor	Description	Hourly rate
   Pediatric Genetic Counselor	Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. They provide information and support to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.	$19-58
   Counselor	Often, counselors are known to be the go-to person in times we are in need of emotional and psychological support. They help people to manage and overcome the issues which affect their mental health and well-being... Show more	$9-32
   Genetic Counselor	A genetic counselor is a healthcare professional who is responsible for providing risk assessment, education, and support to individuals and families who are at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. Using their specialization in medical genetics and counseling, genetic counselors empower their patients by helping them understand the ways genetics can affect life... Show more	$18-68

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Family History
   • Genetic Disorders
   • Informed Consent
   • Pediatric Genetic

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead an in-service for the rehabilitation department regarding the use of clinical Kinesiotaping relative to a variety of pediatric diagnoses.
   • Study the molecular link between carcinoma, melanoma, and inflammation using different nonclinical model systems.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your pediatric genetic counselor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A pediatric genetic counselor salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, pediatric genetic counselors' average salary in georgia is 49% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level pediatric genetic counselors earn 66% less than senior-level pediatric genetic counselors.
   • Certifications. A pediatric genetic counselor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a pediatric genetic counselor's salary.

   Average pediatric genetic counselor salary

   $70,956yearly

   $34.11 hourly rate

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   Entry-level pediatric genetic counselor salary

   $41,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a pediatric genetic counselor job description

   A job description for a pediatric genetic counselor role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a pediatric genetic counselor job description:

   Pediatric genetic counselor job description example

   This position is for a genetic counselor with oncology experience, ideally pediatric oncology experience, to work in the
   
   Pediatric Cancer Genetic Risk Program, part of the Division of Cancer Genetics & Prevention, and the Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.
   
   While each genetic counselor may develop certain areas of expertise, all genetic counselors are cross-trained to be able to see patients with the full range of hereditary cancer conditions, including but not limited to Li Fraumeni syndrome, FAP, DICER1 syndrome, and SDHx associated syndromes, as well as children who are diagnosed with or are a survivor of a wide variety of cancer types including neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor, sarcomas, other solid tumors, brain tumors, and hematologic malignancies. We also provide genetic counseling for the Bone Marrow Failure and Myelodysplastic Syndrome Program, which includes patients who have Shwachman Diamond syndrome, Fanconi Anemia, Telomere biology disorders and other conditions. Participation in numerous research initiatives is also possible and encouraged.
   
   Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings together world renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allies in the common mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
   
   Provide genetic counseling for patients in the Pediatric Cancer Genetic Risk Program, part of the Division of Cancer Genetics & and the Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
   
   Actively participate in the development and expansion of existing Dana-Farber clinics / consult programs
   
   Review and synthesize patient and family medical records to provide a comprehensive hereditary cancer or bone marrow failure risk assessment
   Evaluate and select most appropriate genetic testing options and optimal laboratory Coordinate collection of blood and tissue samples for genetic analysis Complete detailed documentation in electronic medical record Assist with variant interpretation for clinical cases as needed Provide primary clinical supervision for genetic counseling graduate students Educate oncology and community health care providers, medical students and fellows, about cancer genetics topics and appropriate referrals Communicate with media and outside organizations regarding cancer genetics, hereditary cancer syndromes and genetic counseling services Aid in clinical research studies on hereditary cancer topics Submit data for presentation at major genetics and / or oncology meetings, and assist or lead with submission of manuscripts for publication Masters in Genetic Counseling Board-Certified, American Board of Genetic Counseling Licensed as a Genetic Counselor by the State of Massachusetts 7+ years of work experience in clinical cancer genetic counseling, including experience in rare syndromes or 5+ years of work experience in clinical cancer genetic counseling plus an advanced degree (PhD) in a related field Ability to provide genetic counseling through collection of family history, assessment and evaluation of histories, knowledge of genetics and appropriate testing, and psychosocial support Expert knowledge of both the major hereditary cancer syndromes and rare syndromes, cancer genetics and cancer risk assessment tools Some knowledge of whole genome analysis and personalized genomic medicine Ability to tailor, translate and communicate complex information in a simple, relevant way for a broad range of audiences (in both oral and written format) Knowledge of pedigree standards and specialized pedigree-drawing software Ability to work in a collaborative environment with other members of the Center for Cancer Genetics & Prevention team Strong interpersonal skills and emotional awareness Research skills, especially the ability to review and synthesize relevant medical literature A minimum of 3 years of in-depth experience in cancer genetic counseling, medical research and genetic technologies Advanced presentation skills and teaching abilities Leadership skills Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission At to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right pediatric genetic counselor for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your pediatric genetic counselor job on Zippia to find and recruit pediatric genetic counselor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting pediatric genetic counselors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new pediatric genetic counselor

   Once you've found the pediatric genetic counselor candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new pediatric genetic counselor. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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