New Genetic Counsellors Group
Starting out as a new Genetic Counsellor (GC) can, at times,
feel challenging. There are many others across the country in the
same situation, so why not contact them? Every genetics department
works differently, so every experience as a new GC will be
different. Some of us are in training posts, others are employed in
a substantive post, and some of us are somewhere in between! This
group is a way of sharing our experiences and problems in a
supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere where everyone is in the
same boat, so can understand where you're coming from. There
is also now a private and closed Facebook group for New GCs to
connect more socially.
Who can
join?
Genetic Counsellors who have been working for less than three
years are welcome to join, as are STP and MSc students in
their second and third years. Members of this group must be members of the
AGNC. (For information on how to join the AGNC
please click
here)
Aims of the
group
- To allow new GCs across the country to keep in touch
- To support each other
- To ask advice from one another
- Share information, experiences and let others know about
upcoming events
- To ensure our views are being voiced in the AGNC committee
meetings via our New GC Representative.
How do I
join?
If you would like to join our group please email:
Amy Goldman
New GC representative
amy.goldman@gstt.nhs.uk
Frequently asked
questions:
Q: I need information on a genetic condition, where do I
go?
A: The GeneReviews part of the GeneTests website is always a
good place to start. It is always important to bear in mind that
availability of testing, and services, may well vary locally. UKGTN and EDDNAL (an European website) are
good websites for checking which labs do which tests. The Oxford
Desk Reference - Clinical Genetics (Oxford Desk Reference Series)
by
Firth,
Hurst and Hall gives short and to the point descriptions of
many genetic conditions. These are good starting points but it may
be necessary to do a literature search to look at primary
information sources. It is always wise to check any new information
you are giving to families with a senior colleague.
Q: My department is short of cash and I would like to
attend a conference
A: The AGNC offer travel awards for both UK and abroad which
could help pay towards this. Please click here for details of
eligibility.
Q: I have a problem with my training post/ new GC
post.
A: You can try to sort out any issues locally, with your mentor
and/or line manager. As a genetic counsellor new in post you should
be having regular meetings to iron out any problems with your
training. However, if you think you have a wider issue about
training posts in general you can raise these with the Training
Board of the AGNC. Amy Goldman can help to advise you about who
to contact.
Q: I have a clinical ethical dilemma, where do I take
this?
A: Again, your mentor can be a good first port of call. They
will usually be a very experienced GC and may have encountered a
similar situation before. You could also try taking the case to an
individual or group or supervision to get the views of a number of
people in a structured way. Alternatively, there may be a forum for
you to share the case with your department as a whole. Departments
often hold meetings to discuss "difficult cases" where you can
learn from your peers and get the views of a multidisciplinary
team. A further option is to go to a meeting of the "Genethics
Club". Genethics club is run by the Ethox Centre at Oxford
University and has been set up to provide a "forumfor health
professionals and others to discuss difficult ethical issues
encountered in genetic medicine". There are usually 3 of these
meetings per year held at different locations in the UK. Visit the
Ethox Centre website for more details (http://www.ethox.org.uk/ethics-support/the-genethics-club/).
Q: I have a question about
registration.
A: If you want to know anything about registration, such as your
eligibility to register or what registration entails, then you can
find lots of information on the GCRB website. If you
can't find your answer there then you can contact the registration
panel directly. Please note, the new GC representative cannot take
queries about registration to the AGNC committee meetings.
Q: Should I be doing anything about registration
now?
A: One of the criteria for registration is that we must have 2
years full time clinical experience, starting from the written
notification of successful completion of the Genetic Counselling
MSc, if you have one. That means, for some people, the first few
months working as a genetic counsellor may not count in terms of
eligibility for registration. However, it might be useful to get
into the habit of recording internal and external CPD as this is a
requisite of registration. Some people also find a way of keeping a
log of patients you have seen. Just a couple of lines about each
patient may help you to think about whether they are suitable for
your registration case log in the future.
Q: Should I join a union?
A: The AGNC suggests that it is a good idea to be part of a
trade union. Unions are there to protect your interests at work and
negotiate on your behalf. Unions can provide help with any work
related problems that may arise such as pay disputes,
discrimination and health and safety. Most genetic counsellors (who
are not nurses, as they would be in nursing union) are a member of
UNITE or UNISON, which are two of the
largest trade unions. It costs around £15 per month to be a member
of a union. However, some people have been able to have a reduced
rate with Unite for being in an occupational training scheme so
check to see if you qualify.
Q: Where do I look for jobs?
A: The two main places to find advertised genetic counsellor
posts are; here on the AGNC website: there is the jobs page and
there is also the website www.jobs.nhs.uk, where you can
even add NHS jobs alerts to your email account so that it lets you
know whenever there is a genetic counsellor post being
advertised.
Please stay in touch.
You can use the email group to let us know if:
- You are attending any conferences or meetings that you think
might be interesting
- You have been to a meeting that was particularly interesting?
so we know for next year
- You have seen a new book, journal article, website, educational
resource that might be interesting or helpful for others