Massachusetts Healthcare Jobs

Summary This position is part of the Medical Service. As a result of genomic advances, increasing number of clinical guidelines suggest incorporating genomic test or therapeutics into routine care. The Genomics program is charged with implementing clinical programs to integrate genetics into routine clinical practice of the VA, aimed at improving the health of Veterans and their family members. Responsibilities The Genetic Counselor contributes to the translation of the important genomic and epidemiologic findings and other genetics research to Veterans with hereditary conditions predisposing to disease in a variety of ways, or to the rational choice of care based upon their molecular or genetic characteristics. The program goal is to improve the quality of life for Veterans receiving their medical care through VHA. Exceptional expertise and experience are required in the varied practice areas of clinical genetic counseling practice, education and implementation. The expertise involves clinical experience in adult genetic diseases and the issues related to communication with patients and families, scientific expertise to evaluate and design new clinical initiatives, and programmatic and management expertise to oversee the implementation of these programs. The incumbent will ensure complete integration of counseling services with clinical activities and molecular testing and will be responsible for counseling services provided within the VA system nationwide. The incumbent will participate in the development, maintenance, propagation of educational materials for genetic conditions. The incumbent participate will also participate in the dissemination of information of genetic counseling serves offered by the VA through educational outreach efforts and the development of brochures and other published materials. Additionally, the incumbent will participate in evaluating the effectiveness of genetic counseling services to include any changes in methods and procedures as needed. The incumbent will adhere to all staff requirements and day-to-day operations of this system and may participate in certain administrative capacities. Work Schedule: Part Time - 20HR/WK Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 523-F04986 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notification: These positions are under AFGE Bargaining Unit This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized. This position is in the Excepted Service Incomplete applications will not be considered. Current Federal Employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade level previously held. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Education: Master's degree or higher in genetic counseling from a program in the United States or Canada accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). Coursework typically includes clinical genetics, population genetics, cytogenetics and molecular genetics coupled with psychosocial theory, ethics, and counseling techniques. Clinical rotations in medical genetics centers approved by the ACGC are an integral part of the degree requirements. Individuals who graduated prior to 1993 must have graduated from a program accepted by the American Board of Genetic Counselors as equivalent for certification purposes at that time Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to Genetic Counselor positions in the GS-0601 series in VHA must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to independently practice as a Genetic Counselor. (1) Exception. Non-licensed Genetic Counselors who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate Genetic Counselor under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of licensure for a period not to exceed two years for a Genetic Counselor who provides care under the supervision of a licensed Genetic Counselor at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the entry level (GS-9). For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be licensed. (2) Failure to Obtain License. Failure to become licensed with a full and unrestricted license within two years from date of appointment will result in removal from the Genetic Counselor, GS-0601 series and may result in termination from the Veterans Health Administration. Board Certification: Persons hired or reassigned to Genetic Counselor positions in VHA must be board certified in the field of Genetic Counseling by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). The board certification must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education. English Language Proficiency: Genetic Counselors must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part Genetic Counselor, GS-11 (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience, Education, and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least one year of post-master's degree genetic counseling experience; OR In addition to the basic requirements, a doctoral degree in clinical genetic counseling or a related field may be substituted for the required one year of professional genetic counseling experience (b) Assignments: This is the full performance level for Genetic Counselors. At this level they are licensed to independently practice and provide genetic counseling services. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): In addition to meeting the entry level criteria candidate must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 1. Oral and written communication skills to communicate the needs of different audiences (i.e., patients, referring providers, colleagues). 2. Ability to synthesize personal and family history, test results, and other pertinent information to determine the risk of conditions with a genetic component and make appropriate recommendations, including genetic testing, prevention, and screening options. 3. Ability to efficiently use primary resources (i.e., guidelines, webinars, journal articles) and secondary resources (i.e., GeneReviews) to identify, evaluate, and synthesize relevant scientific literature. 4. Ability to evaluate genetic test selection and methodology available at different laboratories, including the analytic validity, clinical validity, and clinical utility of a genetic test, and order germline genetic test. 5. Ability to select the best test strategies while balancing the various needs of stakeholders (i.e., VA pathology departments, the patient, the referring providers). 6. Knowledge of various federal and state regulations (i.e., documentation of informed consent) related to provision of care References: VA Handbook 5005/97PART II APPENDIX G51 Promotion Potential: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.