Description

Description This position entails providing cancer or reproductive genetic counseling to cancer or prenatal and pre-conception patients. This counseling addresses the risk to bear children with genetic disorders, birth defects, and mental retardation. Common indication for patient referral are: advanced maternal age, risk for single-gene disorders or multifactorial conditions, increased risk for chromosome abnormalities or open fetal defects on maternal serum maker screening, fetal anomalies detected on ultrasound, and teratogenic exposures in pregnancy. Patients are informed about the nature of etiology of the condition(s) in question. Where appropriate counseling is furnished regarding options for prenatal diagnosis, often via amniocentesis and/or chorionic villus sampling. These procedures are described, including benefits, risks, and limitations. Informed consent is obtained for those patients opting for one of the invasive procedures. For those not wishing to pursue invasive testing, other reproductive options are discussed, including: screening tests, IVF with pre-implementation genetic diagnosis, use of donor gametes, and adoption. Responsibilities 1. Provide direct counseling services ...