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Genetic Counselors: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.

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Read the task inventory

This source lists 19 tasks, including 18 marked Core and 1 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2026.

19 tasks shown

Core · Task 17504 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.

Core · Task 17500 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.

Core · Task 17502 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.

Core · Task 17506 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.

Core · Task 17508 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.

Core · Task 17509 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.

Core · Task 17507 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.

Core · Task 17511 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.

Core · Task 17517 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics.

Core · Task 17503 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.

Core · Task 17505 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.

Core · Task 17501 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.

Core · Task 17510 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Refer patients to specialists or community resources.

Core · Task 17518 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients or medical personnel.

Core · Task 17515 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Evaluate or make recommendations for standards of care or clinical operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, ethics, legislation, or policies.

Core · Task 17514 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics or genetic counseling.

Core · Task 17512 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Design and conduct genetics training programs for physicians, graduate students, other health professions or the general community.

Core · Task 17513 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Collect for, or share with, research projects patient data on specific genetic disorders or syndromes.

Supplemental · Task 17516 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Identify funding sources and write grant proposals for eligible programs or services.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.