Genetic Counsellor
Reports to
Professor Glenda Halliday Brain and Mind Centre
Organisational area
Faculty of Medicine Central Clinical School
Position summary
The Genetic Counsellor will provide research participants and/or their family members with information and support regarding any genetic risks associated with the neurodegenerative conditions being researched, the implications for the participant and their families in participating in the genetic research, and whether participants have any concerns or issues that warrant other health professional referrals.
More information about the specific role requirements can be found in the position description at the end of this document.
Location
Charles Perkins Centre Camperdown/Darlington Campus
Type of appointment
Full-time fixed term opportunity for 3 years. Flexible working arrangements will also be considered.
Salary
Remuneration package: $97,156 p.a. (which includes a base salary Level 6 $82,098 p.a., leave loading and up to 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation).
How to apply
All applications must be submitted online via the University of Sydney careers website. Visit sydney.edu.au/recruitment and search by reference number 2231/1017 for more information and to apply.
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For further information
For information on position responsibilities and requirements, please see the position description attached at the end of this document.
Intending applicants are welcome to seek further information about the position from:
Jude Amal Raj Research Officer 02 9351 0753 [email protected]
For enquiries regarding the recruitment process, please contact:
Sarah Daji Talent Acquisition Consultant 02 8627 6362 [email protected]
About us
The University of Sydney is a leading, comprehensive research and teaching university. We are committed to harnessing the transformative power of education to foster greater knowledge and a better understanding of the world and its people.
We are highly influential in shaping Australia’s national and international agenda, and delivering solutions to the challenges facing society. We achieve this through critical analysis, intellectual leadership and active contribution to public debate.
Our primary objective is to create and sustain a university in which, for the benefit of both Australia and the wider world, the brightest researchers and the most promising students, whatever their social or cultural background, can thrive and realise their full potential. This central purpose underpins our strategic goals and challenges us to develop and support a community of scholars where interdisciplinary research can flourish and where the student experience is enriched.
To learn more about our strategic objectives, including how we developed those goals and our progress towards achieving them, visit sydney.edu.au/about-us/vision-and-values/strategy
Our research
In 2015, the University of Sydney received a total of $49.2 million, of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) project grant funding for 49 grants. We also received $22.4 million for Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects and $5.5m for ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards (DECRA) grants, and in 2016 Sydney was awarded 12 Linkage Projects ($4.7 million) and one of the prestigious Laureate Fellowships ($2.5 million).
In the Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2015 rankings, all of our research has been rated at above, or well above, world standard.
Statistical snapshot 2015
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Our campuses
Located close to the heart of Australia’s largest and most international city, our Camperdown/Darlington Campus features a mixture of iconic Gothic-revival buildings and state-of-the-art teaching, research and student support facilities.
The University also has an extensive footprint throughout Sydney. Some faculties are based in Camperdown/Darlington but have facilities elsewhere. For example, Veterinary Science and Agriculture & Environment have farms and research units at the Camden Campus, while Sydney Medical School has clinical schools in hospitals across the city and in rural NSW with very close cooperative links and affiliations with a range of independent medical research institutes.
Other faculties have their own dedicated campuses, such as the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in the central city, Dentistry in Surry Hills, Sydney College of the Arts in Rozelle, Health Sciences at Lidcombe, and the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery (Sydney Nursing School) at Mallett Street, Camperdown.
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Useful links Careers website: Home page: sydney.edu.au sydney.edu.au/recruitment News: sydney.edu.au/news
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In addition to a competitive base salary, we offer a wide variety of financial and non- financial benefits to our staff.
These include: working arrangements which assist staff in managing their work and personal/family responsibilities and provide flexibility in meeting business needs. family-friendly working hours generous leave entitlements a University contribution of up to 17% of base salary to your superannuation (pension) fund opportunities for tax-efficient salary packaging, including motor vehicles, laptops and additional personal contributions to your superannuation fund a variety of training and development opportunities exceptional health and wellbeing services, including sports and fitness centres, medical clinics and free counselling via the Employee Assistance Program University Parents Network which offers support to parents throughout the University on-campus parking and convenient transport services contribution to professional membership fees an entirely free Staff Benefits Program providing online and retail discounts across an extensive range of goods and services access to the cultural life on campus which includes our museums and art galleries; music and theatre at the Conservatorium of Music and Seymour Centre; and Sydney Ideas which is the University’s premier public lecture series program that aims to bring some of Sydney’s, Australia’s, and the world’s leading thinkers to the wider Sydney community.
Join our community and we’ll help fulfil your career ambitions and transform your life.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION DETAILS: POSITION TITLE Genetic Counsellor
SCHOOL / DEPARTMENT Central Clinical School / Brain and Mind Centre
FACULTY / PSU Medicine
REPORTS TO NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow
CLASSIFICATION LEVEL HEO 6 POSITION NUMBER CLASSIFICATION CLASSIFICATION DATE 26 October 2017 CAT17610a CODE PRIMARY POSITION Research General Support ACTIVITY
PRIMARY FUNCTION: To provide research participants and/or their family members with information and support regarding any genetic risks associated with the neurodegenerative conditions being researched, the implications for the participant and their families in participating in the genetic research, and whether participants have any concerns or issues that warrant other health professional referrals.
OVERVIEW OF THE SCHOOL / DEPARTMENT AND POSITION CONTEXT The Forefront research team is multi-layered and is dedicated to understanding the impact of conditions on cognition and brain function over time. The research team headed by Professor Glenda Halliday is also closely linked with the Sydney Brain Bank and we have a strong interest in neuropathology and biomarker research.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: Frequency 1. Provides genetic counselling and education to participants and their families with neurodegenerative diseases Handles and resolves participant and family members concerns in participating in genetic research into neurodegenerative conditions in a highly confidential and sensitive manner to ensure they are treated with respect and dignity Interprets, validates and confirms genetic test results for individual and family genetic histories and demographic information, in consultation with research and clinical staff where applicable Ongoing Educates participants and families about the natural history of the condition, inheritance pattern, research versus formal genetic testing and current research, and the implications for the participants in the management, prevention, and support resources for the conditions being researched Assesses and provide appropriate follow up and support to research participants or refer as required
2. Contributes to the development and implementation of research protocols and policies related to genetic testing for neurodegenerative diseases Liaises and provide appropriate information to the researchers studying familial neurodegenerative diseases, the medical practitioners, specialists, and other health professionals who interact with people with familial neurodegenerative diseases, and Ongoing members of the public with an interest in familial neurodegenerative diseases Coordinates and liaise with research laboratories regarding genetic testing Participates in the research management committees associated with the research on familial dementia and motor disorders
Created using Standard Position Profile (xx 2015) PD
3. Maintains appropriate records, statistics and documents genetic test results for use by research staff Utilizes data to write up participant summaries and to assist Academic research staff Ongoing to create research materials
4. Assists with research and student supervision into issues related to genetic counselling Ongoing and research studies on familial disorders 5. Ensures that ethics guidelines, standards and WHS requirements are met for the work area Undertakes appropriate research procedures in accordance with relevant ethics protocols Prepares material for submission to ethics committees when required. Ongoing Ensure workplace health and safety regulations and operating procedures are adhered to within the research work environment Ensure all regulatory guidelines and industry standards are met
6. Perform any other duties as required and as appropriate for the incumbent's level of Ongoing competence
KEY RELATIONSHIPS INTERNAL – across/within the University MAIN CONTACT FREQUENCY PURPOSE Elle Elan For work interaction and planning Daily Glenda Halliday For overseeing research program Weekly Clinicians/researchers involved with study Organising appointments and research As needed particpants assessments EXTERNAL – outside of the University MAIN CONTACT FREQUENCY PURPOSE Florey Institute, Organising appointments and research Recruitment sites Melbourne assessments
DECISION MAKING AND DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY The incumbent is required to demonstrate high level professional decision making in regards to the provision of psychological assessment and treatment services for families participating in ForeFront research studies. The incumbent will be responsible for the development of best practice protocols for test result delivery and manaqement in a research setting. Where a person is designated Head of Administrative Unit (HOA), the Delegations of Authority - Administrative Rule applies.
POSITION DIMENSIONS STAFF DATA DIRECT REPORTS: number of direct reports to this position, their Nil classification and number of incumbents INDIRECT REPORTS: number of reports via subordinates to this Nil position FACULTY / PSU SIZE Approximately 1600 staff in faculty
SCHOOL / DEPARTMENT SIZE Approximately 120 staff and 70 students
FINANCIAL DATA
SALARY BUDGET N/A
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NON-SALARY BUDGET N/A
GRANT AMOUNTS / BUDGET N/A
OTHER AMOUNTS N/A
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE Tertiary qualifications or equivalent in health sciences, science, nursing or x counselling discipline x Post-graduate qualifications in Genetic counselling Registered or eligible both Part 1 Certification and Part 2 certification by the x
Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) x Healthcare delivery and demonstrated experience as a genetic counsellor x An understanding of patient confidentiality and relevant privacy legislation Previous experience working within a hospital/research environment and in x counselling patients and families on the genetic contribution of specific medical conditions Experience in building and maintaining relationships with patients, clinicians, x medical educators, healthcare providers and industry partners Excellent communication skills (both oral and written) and interactions with a x diverse group of stakeholders including patients, medical professionals , research bodies and Faculty staff Good computer skills including MS Office and internet and database x management Drivers Licence may be required x
WORKING WITH CHILDREN If the position involves working with children, a Working with Children Check clearance must be obtained. Please refer to the Working with Children Policy for further information. If appropriate to the Yes role, please type Yes to indicate that a Working with Children clearance is required or No if the position is not child-related:
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Demonstrated understanding of the incorporation into University life of the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action EOOnline; and ability to work positively with staff and students from a diverse range of backgrounds.
WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY (WHS) Understand your WHS responsibilities and actively ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of yourself and others at work in accordance with the University’s WHS policy and procedures and as described in the role responsibilities on the WHS website.
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ORGANISATIONAL CHART
NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow
This Position
AUTHORISATION The Supervisor and Appointed Delegate confirm that this is a true reflection of the duties and accountabilities of this role.
Position Title: NHMRC Senior Position Title: Associate Dean and Principal Research Fellow APPOINTED Head of School, CCS SUPERVISOR DELEGATED Name: Prof. Glenda Halliday Name: A/Prof Roger Garsia
Kindly Note: The Supervisor and Appointed Delegated may be the same person. If this is the case, only complete “Appointed Delegated” box.
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