Evolution of the Genetic Counselling Profession - Career Pathways and Sole Practitioners
The Genetic Counselling profession has been developing and evolving over the past 20 years across Australia. Two professional issues that have been consistently discussed during that time are the development of a genuine career pathway and the ability for Genetic Counsellors to work as true sole practitioners.
With the increase in patient referrals and expansion of clinical genetics into other medical areas it is timely to consider the development of genetic counsellors in roles similar to nurse practitioners. Unfortunately unlike many allied health professions Genetic Counsellors are not a registered profession in Australia and this currently limits the development of the profession. Other measures that can be put in place to ensure integrity and development of the profession will be discussed with reference to their use within different states and employment locations.
For example, Queensland Health has employed Genetic Counsellors for over 10 years. In the past 4 years changes to the organisational structure, development of Job Descriptions, and a submission for recognition as an allied health profession within Queensland Health have all contributed to the ongoing development of the profession and improvement of the career pathway.
The success, benefits and risks of those measures undertaken in will be examined. Issues of medico-legal responsibility, certification process, career pathway, clinical practice review and clinical support and supervision will be considered.