Genetic Counselor

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: 82,000.00 - 95,000.00

Position Summary

The Department of Neurology comprehensively integrates genetics and genomics into patient care, research, and training, across both adult and pediatric divisions.  The Department is seeking a full-time genetic counselor to join a robust team of genetic counselors, expert clinicians, researchers, and bioinformaticians.  

Responsibilities 

Clinical Responsibilities

The genetic counselor will provide comprehensive genetic counseling services to patients and family members across both the pediatric and adult divisions of the Department of Neurology. Responsibilities include conducting intake assessments, evaluating genetic risk, coordinating and explaining genetic testing procedures, and communicating results to patients and families. The genetic counselor will serve as a liaison between clinical teams and molecular diagnostic laboratories, prepare clinical summary reports, and develop and deliver educational programs to physicians and other healthcare providers to enhance genomic testing knowledge and utilization across the Medical Center.

Research Responsibilities

Research activities will be conducted within the Department’s Precision Neurotherapeutics Program (PNTP), which focuses on developing and delivering personalized genetic therapies for individuals with neurogenetic disorders. The genetic counselor will support PNTP initiatives by enrolling eligible patients into research and treatment programs and serving as a primary point of contact for patients, treating physicians, and external treatment development partners.

Responsibilities within PNTP include supporting clinical trial and research operations through preparation and maintenance of IRB submissions, regulatory documentation, study files, and research databases; ensuring compliance with approved protocols and regulatory requirements; and assisting with the coordination and implementation of individualized treatment programs.

The genetic counselor will also be encouraged to participate in scholarly activities, including collaborative research projects, development of abstracts and manuscripts, and presentations at national scientific meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide genetic counseling services to patients and families within pediatric and adult neurology clinics, including intake assessment, risk evaluation, genetic testing coordination, and results disclosure.
• Support the growth and advancement of genetic counseling services across clinical and research programs within the Department of Neurology.
• Participate in genomic research initiatives, including patient recruitment, informed consent, data collection, regulatory submissions, and maintenance of IRB-approved study documentation.
• Contribute to variant interpretation, genomic analysis, and assessment of pathogenicity in the context of patient phenotypes, while advancing understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships.
• Participate in scholarly activities, including research collaborations, abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations at national meetings.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support clinical care, research initiatives, and educational efforts.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent in education, training and experience, plus three years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Genetic Counseling
• Board eligible or board certified as a Genetic Counselor by the American Board of Genetic Counseling
• Conversational Spanish (preferred but not required)
• Strong exposure to neurogenetics in graduate school or 1 year clinical GC experience
• Experience in clinical research

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.