CULTIVATING A GENOMIC-READY WORKFORCE : AGHI GENETIC COUNSELING
Genetic counselors play a critical role in counseling and educating participants and providers in the AGHI . Genetic counselors are health care providers who are specially trained in both medical genetics and communication skills , in order to provide risk assessment information , select and coordinate genetic tests , and review test results and their implications for patients and their families .
With the AGHI , genetic counselors play a number of roles . For the clinical cohort , these professionals triage participant family medical histories , draft result letters with family history risk assessment information , contact providers and participants with actionable results , and support providers with specific educational content . In the rare disease cohort , genetic counselors continue to assist with both enrollments and returns of results , including drafting result letters . Genetic counselors also support other AGHI priorities , including the community advisory board .
Becoming a genetic counselor requires a master ’ s degree in genetic counseling from an accredited genetic counseling training program , as well as board certification and state licensure , where applicable . In 2020 , the Alabama Legislature passed – and Gov . Kay Ivey signed into law – a bill supporting the licensure of genetic counselors , and all genetic counselors working with the AGHI are now licensed by the Alabama Board of Genetic Counseling .
Due to the limited number of available slots in training programs nationwide , many prospective students seek professional roles to help strengthen their application . One such role is that of a genetic counseling assistant ( GCA ). These professionals support genetic counselors by assisting with a variety of administrative tasks while gaining exposure to the field . Many GCAs choose to pursue a career as a genetic counselor .
Latonya Alexander is a former AGHI GCA who is now enrolled in the University of Texas Genetic Counseling Program , after completing undergraduate studies at Tuskegee University . Currently she ’ s in her second introductory clinical rotation and beginning to construct her thesis project .
AGHI Genetic Counselors
Kelly East , CGC
Whitley Kelley , CGC
Meagan Cochran , CGC
CULTIVATING A GENOMIC-READY WORKFORCE : AGHI GENETIC COUNSELING
“ I am extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to work under the AGHI partnership ,” Alexander says . “ Working there as a genetic counseling assistant allowed me to learn about various genetic conditions and their clinical features , different ways to effectively communicate with patients , and the administrative work that comes with genetic counseling . Every skill that I learned from AGHI I am using now as a genetic counseling student and will continue to use throughout my career .”
– Latonya Alexander
Tanner Coleman , CGC
Meghan Bartos , CGC
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