Genetic Counsellor - West of Scotland Clinical Genetics Service

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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The role:

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit an enthusiastic Genetic Counsellor to join the West of Scotland Centre for Genomic Medicine (WOSCGM). The post-holder will enjoy a broad caseload, including general, cancer, cardiac and prenatal work and have the opportunity to develop strong working relationships with other specialities in various MDT clinics. Genetic counsellors work autonomously as well as flexibly, seeing patients in person as well as by telephone and through video consultations. Team members are encouraged to develop areas of special interest, including; cancer, cardiac, ophthalmology, PGD and neurology. The service actively supports continued professional development, including involvement in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Applications would be welcomed from a Genetic Counsellor who is registered with the Genetic Counsellor Registration Board (GCRB), HCPC or equivalent, with an MSc in Genetic/Genomic Counselling or equivalent qualifications and be able to demonstrate a willingness to adapt to the changing needs of the service. NHS GG&C is committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community. This will help ensure our employees and our patients, feel supported. We encourage people from different backgrounds to apply.

This post requires PVG scheme membership/ Disclosure Scotland

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

• Location based in Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
• Fixed-term Contract (1 year duration)
• Full-time Post (37 hours per week)
• Shift pattern for this post are 0900 - 1700

Key responsibilities:

• This is to be achieved by facilitating patients and their families to comprehend complex medical facts, including diagnosis, probable course of the disorder, and the available management.
• Appreciate the way in which heredity contributes to the disorder, and the risk of recurrence for specified relatives.
• Understand the options for dealing with the risk of recurrence and implications at any stage of life.
• Facilitate patients’ decision making and enable them to choose the course of action, which seems to them most appropriate.
• Facilitate and support patient to make the best possible adjustment to the disorder whether affected or at risk, utilizing other agencies when appropriate.
• To manage a caseload of patients, plan and deliver genetic counselling care packages both autonomously and in partnership with a more senior genetic counsellor and medical colleagues or as part of a care management pathway with other health care teams.
• To act as a significant educational and advisory resource to the wider health care community through formal and informal initiatives.
• Act as duty genetic counsellor, on a rotational basis, for enquiries from patients and health professionals across the region. Triage referrals from G.P.s, hospital doctors and other health professionals and prioritising action accordingly.
• Obtain, record and interpret detailed family history, medical and psychosocial information to enable the diagnosis, risk assessment and counselling of families. This may happen in a home or clinic setting, in person or by telephone.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

Essential

• Entry level Pre registration GCRB Set A, B or C qualifications or GCRB Registered Genetic Counsellor

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of human genetics and its psychosocial & ethical impact gained throught 2+ years experience within clinical genetics or a closely related field

• Able to work autonomously and manage an independent clinical caseload

• Able to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary environment

• Able to work within counselling supervision framework

Desirable

• Able to undertake venepuncture
• Vehicle driver

What we offer:

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion, please contact:

Mark Longmuir, Consultant Genetic Counsellor, On 0141 364 9257 or email [email protected]

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process:

This post may close early due to the volume of response. Please submit your application form as soon as possible. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we will not be able to provide shortlisting feedback.  

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• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part-time working hours will be reduced on a pro-rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full-time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various” , we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community . We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

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