This role within the Cancer Genetics team, facilitates the genomic investigation journey by working with patients, relatives, clinical services, other healthcare professionals and the genomic laboratory hub to improve access to care and help ensure patients receive timely, safe and a high-quality service.
The Genomic Associate will be based in the Clinical Genetics Service at Northwick Park Hospital and will work alongside clinical geneticists, genetic counsellors, laboratory staff and other healthcare professionals to provide enhanced contact with patients at the point of referral, and after genetic testing and counselling, to facilitate the collection of information and obtain consent, where needed. The post holder will be responsible for requesting test reports, relevant tissue/samples and testing by liaising with laboratories, families, and clinical teams., as well as the tracking of such requests .
Under Supervision They May Also Support
They will be responsible for arranging breast screening for those at high risk and keeping spreadsheets/records updated.
The team with cancer triage by obtaining family history information, entering of data for online cancer risk assessments and generating a risk calculation using that program (e.g. CanRisk) for interpretation and use by genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists.
Contact healthcare professionals about referrals and ensure all appropriate information is received prior to clinic.
- Contact patients to verify referral information, obtain reports, gather family history information, ascertain any language needs, and provide basic pre-clinic information including details of appointment process. May also need to explain why we need relative’s report for predictive testing and/or request they pass consent forms to relative/s to obtain consent to release relevant medical information.
- Contact laboratories or other clinical genetics services to obtain genetic test reports.
- Check pathogenicity of variants, including checking online databases and liaising with laboratory to request variant reviews.
- Once patients/families have been seen by a genetics professional, to support the clinical team by obtaining any outstanding reports, liaising with other appropriate healthcare professionals to arrange any screening or where appropriate, procedures, to assist patients with consenting process and liaising with laboratory to ensure samples are received and that process is seamless for patients.
The department provides a comprehensive genetic service to 4.1million in the NW London, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. There are close links with St. Mark’s Hospital Familial Cancer Clinic. Clinics are conducted from our base at Northwick Park Hospital and at peripheral clinics within the NW Thames region.
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Cheryl Berlin Job title: Lead Consultant Genetic Counsellor Email address: cheryl.berlin@nhs.net