Overview

Versiti is a fusion of donors, scientific curiosity, and precision medicine that recognize the gifts of blood and life are precious. We are home to the world-renowned Blood Research Institute, we enable life saving gifts from our donors, and provide the science behind the medicine through our diagnostic laboratories. Versiti brings together outstanding minds with unparalleled experience in transfusion medicine, transplantation, stem cells and cellular therapies, oncology and genomics, diagnostic lab services, and medical and scientific expertise. This combination of skill and knowledge results in improved patient outcomes, higher quality services and reduced cost of care for hospitals, blood centers, hospital systems, research and educational institutions, and other health care providers. At Versiti, we are passionate about improving the lives of patients and helping our healthcare partners thrive.

Position Summary

Under the direction of DL Hematology Leadership, the Genetic Counselor Assistant (GCA) provides specialized support to the Diagnostic Hematology Team (Hemostasis Reference Lab, Molecular Oncology Genetics Lab / Hematology Genetics service, and Platelet & Neutrophil Immunology Lab), in areas of sample management, laboratory inventory support, and sample evaluation and requisitioning. In addition, utilizing academic and clinical knowledge of relevant subject matter, this role functions as an extension of the Genetic Counseling team, performing tasks in areas such as laboratory stewardship, clinical history acquisition and extraction, client-focused communication, and case coordination support.

Responsibilities

• Maintains sample integrity and identity, handles specimens appropriately, and evaluates specimens for testing acceptability. Works with clients to resolve all sample, documentation, or ordering discrepancies, as appropriate.
• Provides daily support to the DL Hematology team by updating and maintaining workflow management tools and accurately performing data entry functions in appropriate systems.
• Initiates daily laboratory stewardship activities, flagging orders that require follow-up, and with genetic counselor oversight, communicating stewardship considerations to referring clients and providers. Works with a diverse team to ensure a reliable and efficient process for managing client-requested order changes based on cost effectiveness and/or clinical utility.
• Triages client calls and emails, communicating directly with clients in consultation with genetic counselors, medical directors, and lab directors, in a timely manner & within scope of ability.
• Participates in report writing, extracting and summarizing clinical history from client-provided information, and drafting summaries and recommendations, as appropriate
• Gathers and curates data, resources, and literature related to relevant genes, variants, and test results to assist the DL Hematology team in writing or revising externally facing reports and materials.
• Supports clients in coordination of genetic studies of family members to resolve variant classification.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification
• Understands and performs in accordance with all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements
• Complies with all standard operating policies and procedures

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in life sciences or related field. required
• Previous or planned application to Genetic Counseling graduate programs preferred

Experience

• Previous volunteer or work experience in a customer-/patient-facing environment required
• Previous work or internship experience in a medical or laboratory environment required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good written and oral interpersonal communication skills in English required
• Demonstrated organizational, problem-solving, and data entry skills with attention to detail. speed, and accuracy. required
• Willingness to collaborate with team members, internal customers, clients, and referring providers required
• Motivated to gain and share increasing knowledge of high complexity laboratory testing required
• Demonstrated interest in or knowledge of clinical genetics/genetic counseling, such as previous or planned application to Genetic Counseling graduate programs preferred

Tools and Technology

• Personal Computer (desk top, lap top, tablet) required
• General office equipment (computer, printer, fax, copy machine) required
• Microsoft Suite (Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) required
• Trained access to laboratory information systems and software, such as Cerner and Gene Insight required