Genetic Counselor Assistant

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

8/6/2026

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

780008

Job Title:

Genetic Counselor Assistant

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Genetic Counselor Assistant is part of Genetic Counseling Services and supports the best delivery of care to UW Health patients and families receiving genetic services and molecular testing.  The Genetic Counselor Assistant is an integral part of UW Health Genetic Counseling Services team and under the supervision of the Director of Genetic Counseling Services, contributes to the management of diverse aspects of the service, including the coordination of care for patients, optimization of clinic and operational workflows, and working collaboratively with the team to create a patient-centered environment.

The Genetic Counselor Assistant is responsible for supporting the genetic counselors and other clinicians with administrative functions, including triaging incoming cases for genetic counselor and geneticist review and assisting with collecting necessary patient clinical information in the inpatient, ambulatory, and service lines settings. Additional responsibilities include coordinating and scheduling appointments, updating patients' electronic medical records, routing telephone calls, assisting with the creation of educational materials and patient letters, participating in team meetings and performance/quality improvement projects, and other duties as assigned. The Genetic Counselor Assistant will also provide cross-coverage and be available to travel to other UW Health clinic locations to provide support as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Obtaining/abstracting medical records for clinical appointments.

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Coordinate and research all insurance coverage for genetic testing for patients. Prepare letters of medical necessity with guidance from genetic counselor.

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Provide patients and families updates about insurance authorizations, decisions, and status of testing.

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Assist with appointment scheduling and phone inquiries related to the genetic services.

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Assist with coordinating genetic testing for family members for both diagnostic testing as well as research genetic testing.

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Assist with patient chart review and case preparation for genetic counselors and other clinicians, as directed.

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Assist with patient follow-up letters regarding testing results.

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Compose and prepare correspondence, newsletters, presentations, and additional materials as needed.

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Perform other duties as assigned.

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Clinical

Will provide all patients age and culturally appropriate assessment/screening and interpretation of clinical and laboratory data. Develops and implements age appropriate interventional plans of care including education within the parameters of their position responsibilities and licensure

JOB REQUIREMENTS

1-2 years post high school education

Required

Bachelor's Degree

in a biological/health science or an equivalent combination of education

Preferred

2 years

clinical experience in a genetics specialty clinic

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

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Excellent verbal and written communication skills

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Excellent computer skills. Experience with word processing, database, and spreadsheet software programs

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Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, department administrative staff, interdepartmental contacts, and the public

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Ability to plan and organize the workflow in a busy office/unit environment and be self-directed and work with minimal supervision

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Ability to be flexible in response to changing demands

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Ability to handle a high volume of work under pressure

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Resourceful in problem solving, initiative, and good judgment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

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Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

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Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

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Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

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Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

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Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.