This makes Genetic Counselors health professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors work as members of a health care team, providing information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. They identify families at risk, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence and review available options with the family. Genetic counselors also provide supportive counseling to families, serve as patient advocates and refer individuals and families to community or state support services. They serve as educators and resource people for other health care professionals and for the general public.
Some counselors also work in administrative capacities.
Many engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling. There are many different job opportunities and types of work for Genetic Counseling. In a survey of the National Society of Genetic Counselors in 1998, there was a wide range of the places they worked. The normal salary range depends on location and on experience. Table 1 shows the current salaries of genetic counselors.