Assoc Director Genetic Counseling

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Entity: Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania (CPUP)

Department: Medical Genetics

Location: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania- 3400 Spruce St

Hours: Per Departmental Needs

Summary:

The Deputy Director of the Penn Medicine Center for Genomic Medicine (PMGM) will work to advance the use of genetics and genomics across the entirety of Penn Medicine. Thus, the Deputy Director will be responsible for interfacing with Penn Medicine providers and administrators across numerous entities and non-genetic specialties. The Deputy Director will lead efforts to design solutions that can be implemented across Penn Medicine to facilitate ordering and resulting of genetic testing, as well as education of providers. The position has a particular emphasis on leveraging and optimizing the electronic health record for the delivery of care in an equitable fashion. The Deputy Director also will be involved in clinical research, and facilitating research efforts aligned with the PMGM mission. The Deputy Director will be heavily engaged in planning the activities of PMGM to further its mission of making Penn Medicine a national leader in genomic medicine.

Working in collaboration with Divisional and/or Departmental leadership, the Associate Director will be instrumental in identifying and implementing initiatives to integrate genetics into new clinical areas; improve access, care coordination, and clinical operations; advance the Penn Medicine brand; and expand programs in a number of settings. Optimization of clinical operations includes accountability for access and patient satisfaction; identification and facilitation of internal programmatic development opportunities; and helping drive Divisional/Departmental response to external factors, including market forces and issues impacting the genetic counseling community. Leadership and administrative responsibilities should account for at least 50% of overall effort.

The Associate Director may also provide genetic counseling services and provide care coordination to patients in the practice. He or she will provide genetic counseling with an expert application of knowledge and skills in complex situations and be responsible for the hire, retention, and development of genetic counseling and clinic support staff. He or she will partner with physicians and leadership to garner resources to optimize clinic operations, including adherence to regulations, quality improvement, and other issues impacting clinical practice. The Associate Director is expected to have developed one or more areas of high level expertise and to employ this knowledge in clinical practice and in mentorship of more junior GCs. Professional activities should include those that have an impact across the health system, within the local community, or on a national scale, including through presentations and publications.

Responsibilities:

Leadership in operations, clinic management and program development

Serves as a core resource for shared services and partners across CPUP.

Work closely with departmental leadership ensuring a unified and effective approach to quality and operational initiatives, including patient access, care coordination, and optimization of operations. Ensures a sound operating model for communication and collaboration with referring physicians.

Ensures compliance with the CPUP Principles of Practice, as they may be amended from time to time.

Establishes and maintains a transparent and data-driven culture; identify opportunities supported by data analysis.

Serves as point coordinator and leader for select CPUP functions as required or needed.

Establishes a working knowledge of management and clinical information systems (PennChart, etc.); effectively using these tools to monitor and improve work flow, patient access and service performance; participate in Health System initiatives to optimize PennChart utilization in the area of genetics.

Addresses interdepartmental barriers to delivery of care including staffing and space; ensures that care delivery is consistent with policies and standards, federal and state laws and regulations, and accreditation requirements.

Accountable to senior leadership and other stakeholders for managing operational expenses.

Quality

Promotes continuous improvement and integration in methods of patient care delivery and operations; establishes patient focused performance expectations by creating clearly defined performance goals and measures; proactively implementing steps to maintain and improve quality of service for clinical staff, patients and visitors.

Assures compliance with institutional and national practice standards, applicable laws and board policies; keeps abreast of current regulatory standard; develops and/or implements plan to address changes in standards; ensures efficient and supportive health care services to all patients.

Program Development and Support

Identifies and facilitates internal programmatic development opportunities; helps drive Divisional/Departmental responses to external factors, including market forces and issues impacting the genetic counseling community.

Works with leadership as well as CPUP and Departmental leadership in developing programs, services, and initiatives across the Health System that anticipate future customer needs, build customer loyalty, and generate profitable growth.

Defines staffing requirements that are congruent with the mission and goals of the department; ensures selection and utilization of qualified, competent personnel. Uses appropriate efficiency information/data (i.e., benchmarking, market analysis, program changes) to determine staffing requirements.

Team Building and Professional Development

Develops credible, competent, accountable and responsive teams with clearly defined performance and outcome objectives. Ensures the team develops strategies to focus on the improvement of operating standards and achievement of intended results.

Creates and supports an environment which empowers and expects staff to: serve as ambassadors; participate in unit/department decisions; negotiate care needs of patients; contribute to the research agenda; accept responsibility for their contribution to the patient experience, their own growth and professional competencies. Provides opportunities for staff growth within area of specialty, which is reflected in professional/performance plans.

Utilizes human resource management techniques to ensure employee engagement, retention and high morale.

Maintains exemplary relationships with staff using positive and constructive feedback, open lines of communication, and addressing daily operational issues.

Communication

Interfaces with senior leaders.

Communicates with the staff regarding the department and Health System through information sharing at meetings, in[1]services, and distribution of minutes as appropriate.

Maintains utmost communication with the department, Directors and Departmental leadership.

Prepare for cases by identifying relevant medical records and ensuring that these are obtained.

Collect and evaluate patient medical history, construct a pedigree using appropriate nomenclature.

Perform comprehensive genetic risk assessment, explain natural history of diagnosis, explain relevant genetic factors, explain available testing and facilitate testing.

Interpret genetic test results and communicate to patients and other healthcare professionals.

Perform psychosocial assessment and provide counseling.

Document clinical encounters. Write clinic notes, physician letters, patient letters and other communication.

Perform high-level clinical genetic counseling:

Demonstrate proficiency and autonomy in managing complex, cross disease center projects including analysis and interpretation of high-level results.

Utilize emerging technologies that may affect clinical care.

Develop patient education methods to enhance communication effectiveness with patients.

Utilizing advanced genetic counseling methods, facilitates patient decision-making and other patient goals.

Ensures continuity of care within the clinical unit.

Genetic counselors are encouraged and expected to participate in a diverse set of professional activities related to clinical supervision, research and/or leadership. Demonstrate an interest in growth through participation in professional activities.

Some of these may include:

Provides educational lectures to advance understanding of genetics at Penn.

Develops and facilitates patient support groups, organize patient education seminars and conferences and create patient materials.

Represents Penn in genetics-related community outreach activities.

If research focused, assists with grant proposal and submissions, write abstracts and manuscripts, coordinates research studies.

Submits abstracts or gives presentation at major genetics/national meetings and/or submit manuscripts for publication.

Performs duties in accordance with Penn Medicine and entity values, policies, and procedures.

Other duties as assigned to support the unit, department, entity, and health system organization.

Credentials:

Certified by the ABGC experience required.

Genetic Counselor – PA State License required.

PA State Licensure Application for Genetic Counseling license must be completed within 30 days of start date as required by the state in which patients will be seen. Barring any circumstances outside of the incumbents control the license must be in place by completion of the 180-day probationary period. Failure to obtain license by the end of the 180-day introductory period will result in termination.

Education or Equivalent Experience:

Master's Degree from an ACGC accredited genetic counseling training program is required.

7+ years of relevant experience as a genetic counselor required, including at least 5 years prior people/program management experience in a healthcare setting.

Demonstrated competency as a skilled care provider able to manage complex cases with independence and with evidence of strong knowledge in at least one area of clinical practice.

We believe that the best care for our patients starts with the best care for our employees. Our employee benefits programs help our employees get healthy and stay healthy. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes one of the finest prepaid tuition assistance programs in the region. Penn Medicine employees are actively engaged and committed to our mission. Together we will continue to make medical advances that help people live longer, healthier lives.

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We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.