Summary Genetic counselors identify specific hereditary disorders or risks through the study of genetics, assessing the risk to develop diseases with a genetic component, such as certain forms of cancer. This position is located in the National TeleOncology (NTO) service's virtual hub at the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS) within the Comprehensive Genetics Service (CGS). CGS provides genetic counseling services through VA's National TeleOncology service to Veterans across the country. Responsibilities The Supervisory Genetic Counselor is responsible for supervising genetic counselors and assisting the Director of CGS with integration of cancer genomic services within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system nationwide. This position will also provide direct patient care, such as: psychosocial assessments, both pre and posttest counseling for veterans, germline result interpretation and cancer risk information. The Supervisory Genetic Counselor (SGC) will have primary responsibilities in a national program management role including but not limited to establishment and maintenance of telehealth genomic medicine services at other VAMCs, operations, education, and operational partnering for research. Other duties include but are not limited to: Represents NTO and provides expert advice and guidance to VA practitioners and program officials on a wide range of issues related to development and delivery of genetic services, methods, and practices Advises and provides technical expertise regarding clinical genetic services and respond to questions and concerns from stakeholders Collaborates with local and Veteran-side site telehealth and pathology staff, Information Security Officers, Credentialing Officers, and other employees to initiate and maintain the ability for Genetic Counselors to provide care as remote providers Writes detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts for patients or referring physicians Discusses testing options and the associated risks, benefits, and limitations with patients, families, and other healthcare providers Develops performance standards and evaluates work performance Reviews and approves leave requests, arranges leave schedules, certifies timecards Interviews candidates for positions, recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignment Identifies developmental and training needs of employees and provide or arrange as needed Assure compliance with VA-mandated training as well as sufficient continuing education for provider licensure/credentialing Plan, design, and direct clinical genetic counseling protocols to develop and evaluate approaches to delivery of genetic counseling services Identify and implement ways to improve efficiency, quality, and safety of patient care within the CGS service Participate and contribute to development of standard operating procedures related to program implementation Provides mentorship, orientation, and education to newly hired genetic counselors. Serves as a liaison to academic institutions and other VAMCs to enhance trainee experiences. This might include coordination of educational opportunities, teaching seminars, or serving as clinical rotation supervisor. Trainees will come from a variety of disciplines, such as genetic counseling training programs, and primary or specialty care residents and fellows Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (tour of duty to be determined) Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: May be authorized Virtual: This is a remote/virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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 trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Genetic Counselor candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) 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 Counseling (ABGC) as equivalent for certification purposes at that time 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). GS-13 Supervisory Genetic Counselor Grade Determinations: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12) AND demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities below: Advanced knowledge of genetic practice guidelines and evidence based practices and the ability to use these resources to make judgments and decisions associated with program management to guide program staff. Knowledge and skill in management/administration which includes supervision, collaboration, and monitoring. Skill in effectively speaking and making presentations in public. Ability to develop productivity standards for provision of services. Ability to conduct outreach to create and foster collaborative relationships. Preferred Experience: 1) American Board of Genetic Counseling certification. 2) >2 years experience in an adult clinical genetics setting. 3) Experience with remote delivery of genetic services (telemedicine, telephone) 4) Prior administrative experience such as developing institutional genetic testing protocols, committee service for a national professional organization, or oversee student rotations Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook Directive 5019 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
