Genetic Assistant

Job summary

The genetic assistant supports the operations of the genetics service by screening patient referrals and preparing families for genetic assessments. They also coordinate testing for patients and liaise with other health professionals under the guidance of clinical geneticists and genetic counsellors.

Job details

Click here to apply as an internal applicant. Company : IWK Health Req ID: 227691 Department/Program: Medical Genetics, Diagnostic Services & Maritime Medical Genetics Location: Halifax Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100% FTE) x 1 position(s) Start Date: ASAPUnion Status: NSGEU Hlthcare, Healthcare Bargaining UnitCompensation: $24.0855 - $29.7623 /hourClosing Date: 26-Oct-26 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time) IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia. People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values, and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive. Promoting an anti-racist environment, and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care, is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportions of transgender and non-binary people than any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.The Opportunity MMGS is the only provider of comprehensive genetics service in the Maritime Provinces. Based in IWK Health, MMGS provides on-site appointments, virtual care, and outreach clinics to PEI, and NB. Patient population (male and female) includes prenatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric for a variety of genetic assessment indications. Under the close supervision and guidance of the clinical geneticists and genetic counsellors, the genetic assistant is responsible for assisting with the operations of the genetics service, including: screening patient referrals, preparation and follow-up of families for genetic assessment, liaising with other health professionals and related fields as a member of the genetics team, coordinating testing for patients as directed by the geneticist or genetic counsellor, calling out negative results to patients at request of geneticist or genetic counsellor. Hours of Work 8am - 4pmYour Qualifications Bachelor of Science degree required, major in Biology or Genetics preferred. A combination of equivalent education and experience may be considered. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other computer programs. Knowledge of medical/genetic terminology an asset. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required. Demonstrated ability working independently required. Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of interprofessional team members required. High degree of initiative, diligence, attention to detail and self-discipline/focus. Excellent multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills required. Competencies in other languages an asset. Thank you for your interest in IWK Health. Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process. This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status, are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position. An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials. If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.

What you’ll do

The genetic assistant supports the operations of the genetics service by screening patient referrals and preparing families for genetic assessments. They also coordinate testing for patients and liaise with other health professionals under the guidance of clinical geneticists and genetic counsellors.

Requirements

A Bachelor of Science degree, preferably in Biology or Genetics, is required for this position. Candidates should possess strong organizational skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and the ability to work effectively within an interprofessional team.

Benefits

• Wellness programs
• Training opportunities
• Mentorship opportunities

Listed skills

• Interprofessional Collaboration · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• interpersonal skills · Preferred
• Multi-Tasking · Preferred
• Prioritization · Preferred
• Microsoft Office · Preferred
• Attention to detail · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Genetic assessment
• Patient referral screening
• Medical terminology
• Interprofessional collaboration
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Multi-tasking
• Organizational skills
• Prioritization
• Microsoft Office
• Data coordination
• Attention to detail
• Initiative
• Diligence
• Patient Referral
• Self-Discipline
• Biology
• Pediatrics
• Disabilities
• Genetics
• Geriatrics
• Health Sciences
• Interpersonal Communications
• Medical Genetics
• Mentorship
• Multitasking
• Operations
• Primary Care
• Coordinating
• Detail Oriented

Job areas

• Healthcare
• Science & Research
• Administrative
• Logistics Assistant
• Genetic Counselor
• Health Associate Professionals Not Elsewhere Classified
• Genetic Counselors

More jobs from IWK Health