<p> Sheila Zwiesele, MS [email protected] Website: phd.msu.edu/divisions/human-genetics/clinical-genetics.html </p><p>Background: - Undergraduate Degree in Biology from Oakland University - Wayne State University Masters Program in Genetic Counseling - Pediatric Genetic counseling with Michigan State University (Sparrow and outreach in Clinton and Kalamazoo) </p><p>Genetic counseling: Helping families understand the genetic contributions to disease. A growing field! </p><p>Can have a couple of different roles - Clinical setting: pediatrics, prenatal, cancer, cardiovascular, etc. - Lab setting: figure out which genetic tests are the best to order and interpreting results - Public health - Representatives for companies </p><p>Applicants: 1. Personal statement 2. Letters of recommendation 3. Advocacy hours at a counseling service (Planned Parenthood, etc.) 4. GRE 5. Beneficial to have shadowing 6. Don’t have to be a genetic major to go to a genetic counseling training program; most are biology majors, but there are also students with psychology, languages, etc. Just need the core classes that are required of the program. </p><p>Genetic Counseling Training Program: Masters Program 2 years long Involves internship (prenatal, cancer, and pediatrics) </p><p>Three components to each training program: 1. Coursework (lectures) 2. Research (responsible for research project) 3. Internships (rotate through different specialties) Each program is structured a bit differently, but they have these same similarities. </p><p>There are 32 training programs in the United States, and 2 in Michigan (Wayne and University of Michigan). They accept 4-12 students a year; highly competitive Being a Genetic Counselor: There are some patients that they follow up with regularly (haven’t found explanation yet for their problems, need additional testing, etc.). Most patients are met with once (the diagnosis explained). </p><p>Whole genome sequencing: A great tool for complicated cases because it gives you all the information. The patients with the right insurance don’t have to pay for it! </p><p>Pros: - Training was only a Masters degree and still work in the medical field - Can see a direct impact on patients - Working one-on-one with families Cons: - Work with the insurance companies - Would like to do more patient care, but there is a lot of follow up and preparation (In the clinic two days a week, and the rest of the week is when you do prep, call insurance companies, etc.) - After training, often have to choose a specialty or choose a location, it’s difficult to be able to choose both because the field is slightly restrictive - Getting more and more information, but less time to go through it </p><p>A normal week as a genetic counselor: Monday and Wednesday: Case prep (8 patients a week) Cancer and prenatal can see more because there is less prep, but pediatrics needs more because they are more diverse Tuesdays and Thursdays: In clinic (Sparrow and outreach) Fridays: Writing letters to families to summarize the diagnosis and what they talked about </p><p>Prenatal Specialty: Carrier testing for hundreds of conditions Parents coming in to see their chances of having a child with a genetic disorder </p><p>Pediatrics Specialty: Help counsel families with children with genetic disorders (blood and clotting disorders, cystic fibrosis, etc.) - Can help families finally get an explanation Common genetic disorders: 1. Down syndrome (extra 21 chromosome; multi-system disorder): parents often have a lot of questions (is it a risk for other family members?) 2. Neurofibromatosis (diagnosis based on clinical diagnosis)</p><p>Salary: Depends on the industry, specialty, and region Private industry: higher salary Anywhere from $40,000 to $150,000 </p><p>For more information about becoming a genetic counselor, visit www.nsgc.org</p>