Genetic Counselor

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and the Clinic Director, and in collaboration with physicians, researchers, and study staff at the Fein Memory and Aging Center (MAC) and UCSF Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), the Genetic Counselor will provide clinical and research genetic counseling services to patients, research participants, and their families who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease and related adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders.

The Genetic Counselor will obtain and interpret personal and family medical histories, construct and analyze multigenerational pedigrees, assess genetic risk, facilitate informed decision-making regarding genetic testing, obtain informed consent, communicate genetic test results, and provide supportive counseling to individuals and families as they adapt to the medical, emotional, and psychosocial implications of genetic information. The incumbent will coordinate care with physicians, laboratories, community resources, and external specialists as appropriate.

The incumbent will support both clinical and research initiatives within the Fein MAC and ADRC, including participant recruitment, consent, education, and longitudinal follow-up for genetics-related studies. The Genetic Counselor will assist investigators with the interpretation and communication of genetic findings and will contribute to research projects focused on the relationship between genetics, biomarkers, neuroimaging, and neurodegenerative disease risk and progression. The position will work closely with the PET Program to support studies integrating genetic information with PET imaging and other biomarker measures.

The Genetic Counselor will participate in educational activities involving trainees, students, faculty, and staff and will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team that includes neurologists, neuropsychologists, geneticists, imaging scientists, nurses, and clinical research professionals.

Department Description:

The Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is one of the nation's premier academic neurology departments and among the largest departments within the UCSF School of Medicine. With an annual operating budget exceeding $340 million, the department advances its three-part mission of delivering exceptional patient care, conducting groundbreaking research, and educating the next generation of clinicians and scientists. We are proud to be affiliated with the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences and to provide neurologic care and conduct research across numerous sites in San Francisco-including Mission Bay, Parnassus, Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG), China Basin, the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC), and the Gladstone Institutes-as well as in the Greater Bay Area through UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and satellite clinics in San Mateo, Marin County, and beyond.

The Department comprises 17 administrative divisions and delivers world-class care across 11 clinical subspecialties. We currently have nearly 75 active clinical trials and our team includes 302 faculty members, 120 non-faculty academic employees, 439 staff members, and 204 clinical and postdoctoral trainees.

The UCSF Department of Neurology was ranked #1 in NIH funding among neurology departments nationwide for 2025, continuing a 13-year trend of holding or nearing this top position. UCSF Medical Center was named one of the nation's leading hospitals in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals list, with our Neurology and Neurosurgery programs ranked #1 in the San Francisco Metro Area and #2 in the nation.

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Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

• Provide clinical genetic counseling services to patients and families affected by adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders under appropriate supervision.

• Obtain detailed personal and family medical histories and construct pedigrees.

• Assess genetic risk and discuss inheritance patterns, recurrence risks, available testing options, and implications for the family.

• Coordinate genetic testing, including informed consent, test ordering, specimen logistics, and follow-up.

• Communicate genetic test results and recommendations to patients and families.

• Provide psychosocial support and facilitate referrals to appropriate resources.

• Document clinical encounters and genetic counseling activities in the electronic health record.

• Collaborate with neurologists, neuropsychologists, nurses, social workers, and other multidisciplinary team members as needed

• Support genetic counseling activities across ongoing neurogenetics research studies for the Alzheimer's disease research center (ADRC), Longitudinal Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Study (LEADS), and other projects as needed.

• Meet with research participants to obtain family histories and collect genetic information and available documentation.

• Assist with participant recruitment, enrollment, scheduling, and follow-up activities.

• Facilitate research genetic testing, confirmatory CLIA testing, and return of results according to study protocols.

• Present family histories and genetic findings at research meetings as appropriate.

• Maintain study records and databases in compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

• Assist with preparation of study materials, participant education resources, and research documentation.

• Collaborate with other genetic counselors and team members to initiate new research projects and apply for appropriate genetic counseling related grants

• Participate in educational conferences, journal clubs, and multidisciplinary meetings.

• Assist with educational activities for trainees, staff, and community members.

• Develop patient-facing educational materials and family resources.

• Maintain current knowledge of neurogenetics, neurodegenerative disease, and genetic counseling practice.

• Participate in quality improvement and program development activities.

• Support PET Program with studies integrating genetic information with PET imaging and other biomarker measures.
• Fulfills data requests and assists in preparing neuroimaging and clinical datasets.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Genetic Counseling from an ACGC-accredited genetic counseling training program or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC).
• California Genetic Counselor License or ability to obtain licensure within six months of hire.
• Knowledge of human genetics, genomics, and genetic counseling principles.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals affected by cognitive, behavioral, and neurological disorders.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary academic medical center environment.
• Prior experience working with PET imaging data.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications:

• Board eligible or board certification in genetic counseling by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABGC), if eligible must obtain upon hire
• California Genetic Counselor License (or ability to obtain upon hire)
• A master's degree from a recognized genetic counseling program
• Ability to obtain licensure in states where clinical or research participants are located, if required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Clinical training experience in neurogenetics, neurology, neurodegenerative disease, or adult genetics.
• Experience working with research participants or clinical research protocols.
• Familiarity with neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, ALS, and atypical parkinsonian syndromes.
• Experience with pedigree construction and genetic risk assessment.
• Demonstrated interest in neurogenetics research or academic medicine.
• Experience providing telehealth services.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Genetic Counseling from an ACGC-accredited genetic counseling training program or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC).
• California Genetic Counselor License or ability to obtain licensure within six months of hire.
• Knowledge of human genetics, genomics, and genetic counseling principles.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals affected by cognitive, behavioral, and neurological disorders.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary academic medical center environment.
• Prior experience working with PET imaging data.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications:

• Board eligible or board certification in genetic counseling by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABGC), if eligible must obtain upon hire
• California Genetic Counselor License (or ability to obtain upon hire)
• A master's degree from a recognized genetic counseling program
• Ability to obtain licensure in states where clinical or research participants are located, if required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Clinical training experience in neurogenetics, neurology, neurodegenerative disease, or adult genetics.
• Experience working with research participants or clinical research protocols.
• Familiarity with neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, ALS, and atypical parkinsonian syndromes.
• Experience with pedigree construction and genetic risk assessment.
• Demonstrated interest in neurogenetics research or academic medicine.
• Experience providing telehealth services.