Job Description / Duties

Provides genetic counselling to patients on relevant concepts including:

• Carrier screening
• PGT-A
• PGT-M
• PGT-SR
• Risk assessments
• Prenatal screening and testing options including amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, cell-free DNA screening, and enhanced first trimester screening.
• Genetic syndromes including those that the patient has been diagnosed with or is a carrier of, those seen in the patient’s family, and those that a patient’s pregnancy or embryo is at risk of being affected with
• Ultrasound abnormalities
• Mosaicism in embryos
Communicate with the patient’s care team when risk factors relevant to pregnancy or reproductive planning are identified on family history or screening.
• Disclose PGT and carrier screening results to patients by phone or email (per protocol) promptly.
• Document patient encounters and pedigrees within the EMR
• Order carrier screening at the patient’s request on behalf of their MFC physician
• Ensure MFC physicians are aware of up-to-date genetic testing recommendations for their patients.
• Assist clinical teams with positive genetic screening/testing results as needed.
• Liaise between Reference Labs and MFC staff to help facilitate PGT-M and PGT-SR cases.
• Work alongside MFC's Practice Leader, Genetic Counselling, to develop educational and training material to support patient and staff education concerning genetic testing and interpretation of results.
• Participate in research and quality improvement related initiatives at MFC that are in line with the strategic vision of the clinic.
• Work directly with vendors to support the delivery and interpretation of test results for patients and staff and assist the clinical and lab teams as required to support the delivery of the MFC’s genetic testing programs.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Competencies

• Strong skills and aptitude as an educator.
• Communicates respectfully and professionally with all parties.
• Confidently communicates with diverse patients and families including members of LGBTQIP2S+ community.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and protects operations by keeping all patient information confidential.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in Genetic Counselling from an ACGC accredited Master’s Program.
A minimum of 3 years of practical experience as a Genetic Counsellor.
Previous experience in fertility is an asset.
Experience in clinical genetics in Ontario is an asset.
Certified or eligible for board certification with the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors or the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Additional Information

Job Types: Permanent, Full-time

Benefits:
Company events
Health and Dental benefits
Employee assistance program
Paid time off

Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid position, Markham, ON

Contact Information

Rebecca Robinson
rebeccar@markhamfertility.com

Employer Profile

Markham Fertility Centre is more than a medical facility; we are dedicated to making dreams come true. For over three decades we have been at the forefront of groundbreaking, ethical, and scientifically advanced assisted reproduction. Our commitment to helping over 12,000 families realize their dreams of parenthood sets us apart. We take immense pride in our dedication to quality, safety, and excellence. Markham Fertility Centre was among the first clinics in Canada to earn accreditation and we continue to uphold these rigorous standards. Quality isn't just a goal, it's our way of life. We go beyond the expected by providing on-site genetic counselling as a standard of care for our patients. This holistic approach ensures that every individual receives the guidance they need for their unique journey. We also stand as the sole clinic in Ontario offering anesthesiology-assisted egg retrievals, enabling us to care for even the most medically complex patients. Our commitment to innovation is paramount.

Markham Fertility Centre (MFC) is looking for a passionate Genetic Counsellor to join our team and positively impact our mission of devotion to excellence. The Genetic Counsellor will contribute to the MFC's reputation as a Centre of Excellence for Reproductive Medicine and will participate in active genetic counselling as well as program development, patient and staff education. The Genetic Counsellor may also contribute to research and academic projects that further the vision and mission of the clinic. It is expected that the Genetic Counsellor will engage with professionals within the Genetics community and the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) to broaden MFC’s capabilities and ensure MFC remains current on new developments related to the field. By engaging with external organizations, the Genetic Counsellor will contribute to the ever-evolving field of reproductive genetics.