What are the responsibilities and job description for the Genetic Counselor position at North West Labs?
Company: NW Labs
Location: Southfield, Michigan
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $90,000–$110,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package
Position Summary
NW Labs is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Genetic Counselor to join our growing clinical genetics and molecular diagnostics team. This position will work directly with physicians, healthcare providers, patients, families, and the NW Labs clinical and business development teams to support the appropriate utilization and understanding of genetic testing.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in pediatric genetics, with experience involving developmental delay, autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, intellectual disability, congenital conditions, inherited disorders, and/or other complex genetic conditions. This individual will play an important role in expanding and supporting NW Labs’ genetic testing programs, including Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), pharmacogenomics (PGx), hereditary cancer testing, and other molecular/genetic diagnostics.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide genetic counseling and education to patients and families when appropriate.
- Review and explain genetic test indications, results, limitations, and clinical implications.
- Support physicians in selecting appropriate genetic tests based on patient history and clinical presentation.
- Work closely with pediatricians, neurologists, developmental specialists, psychiatrists, oncologists, primary care physicians, and other healthcare providers.
- Provide education regarding WES and other next-generation sequencing technologies.
- Assist physicians in understanding variants, pathogenicity, inheritance patterns, and appropriate follow-up.
- Support interpretation and communication of genetic test results while working within the laboratory’s clinical and regulatory framework.
- Participate in physician education programs, presentations, webinars, and clinical training.
- Work closely with the NW Labs Business Development team to provide clinical genetics expertise during physician meetings and educational events.
- Help develop physician-facing educational materials and resources.
- Serve as a clinical genetics resource for NW Labs staff.
- Assist in developing protocols and educational programs surrounding pediatric genetic testing, WES, PGx, hereditary cancer testing, and other emerging genetic technologies.
- Maintain appropriate documentation and compliance with applicable professional, laboratory, and regulatory requirements.
- Stay current with advances in genomic medicine, genetic testing technology, variant interpretation, and professional guidelines.
Strong preference will be given to candidates with experience in:
- Pediatric genetics
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Developmental delay
- Intellectual disability
- Epilepsy/seizure disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Congenital anomalies
- Rare disease
- Metabolic/genetic disorders
- Whole Exome Sequencing
- Whole Genome Sequencing
- Next-generation sequencing
- Variant interpretation
- Experience working with pediatric neurologists, developmental pediatricians, geneticists, or children’s hospitals is highly desirable.
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from an ACGC-accredited program.
- Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC) through the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), or equivalent qualifying certification.
- Current Michigan Genetic Counselor license or eligibility for Michigan licensure.
- Strong knowledge of medical genetics, inheritance patterns, genetic testing, and genomic medicine.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to communicate complex genetic concepts in an understandable manner to physicians, patients, and families.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with clinical, laboratory, sales, and business development teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 3 years of genetic counseling experience.
- Pediatric genetics experience.
- Experience with WES/WGS and next-generation sequencing.
- Experience interpreting or communicating complex genetic test results.
- Experience working with diagnostic laboratories.
- Experience educating physicians and healthcare professionals.
- Experience with autism, epilepsy, developmental disorders, or rare disease.
- Experience with pharmacogenomics and/or hereditary cancer testing.
- Comfortable presenting to groups of physicians and healthcare professionals.
What You’ll Do at NW Labs:
This is an opportunity to become a key clinical resource within a growing laboratory rather than functioning solely in a traditional counseling environment.
The Genetic Counselor will have the opportunity to help NW Labs:
- Expand physician education around genomic testing.
- Develop and grow our pediatric genetics program.
- Increase appropriate utilization of WES and other advanced genetic testing.
- Support physicians with complex genetic cases.
- Develop educational programs for healthcare providers.
- Collaborate with our laboratory and business development teams.
- Help establish NW Labs as a trusted clinical resource for genetic testing.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
- Master's (Required)
License/Certification:
- ASCP Certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $90,000 - $110,000