Health Profession Speaker number #3 Essay Essays -

Speaker name: Brian Reys Date: 02/21/2019 Speaker number #3 Profession: Genetic Counseling Guest speaker, Brian Reys , introduced the profession of Genetic Counseling. To begin his presentation, Reys explains to us step by step how to become a genetic counselor as well as all the recommendations and requirements needed to enter this field. Students must first finish a four-year undergr aduate program and obtain a Bachelor's degree in biology-based majors such as biology, biochemistry, genetic, and psychology, etc. Following are two to three years of graduate program where students can acquire their master's degree in genetic counseling. As a graduate student, schoolwork is more likely to focus on a composition of general genetics and c linical genetics, as well as psychology and psychosocial skills . Additionally, basic scientific and genetic principles are also needed to build an overall foundation for a career in this fi eld of profession. After completing all the coursework and training in the program, students are required to take and pass a board exam in order to obtain the ABGC and/or CAGC certification. Ma jority of the schools would want students to have counseling or crisis intervention experience as well as shadowing a genetic counselor. If shadowing is too difficult, interviewing genetic counselors, either through phone or in person, about their profession in an excellent method to strengthen your experience in this field. In addition , public work or helping people with disabilities, leadership experience, tutoring , volunteering, research , working in the healthcare area, holding employment, or just being involved and active with activities you are passionate about can b e beneficial experiences to have. One thing to consider before entering this field is that p art-time master's degrees or other flexible attendance options are uncommon. If this is something you are interested in, ask individual progra ms about their flexibility or willingness to do a part time program. Genetic counselor is a healthcare professional with specialized training in evaluating and interpreting risks of an inherited medical condition. Genetic counselors work in doctor's offices, hospitals, genetic testing labs, public health, research studies, and insurance companies, etc. They assist people in many different areas such as pediatrics, prenatal, general, cancer, and a variety of specialty areas including neurology, cardiology, and metabolism. Genetic counselors also have a lot of phone conversations with patients to notify them of test results as well as to observe how they are doing to follow up with them. They also work closely with laboratories to figure out what tests the labs offer and the required type of sample. Genetic counseling and testing can cost a lot of money, therefore, they spend a lot of time on the phone, on behalf of their patients, with insurance companies to recommend for insurance coverage. Detail oriented is one of the must-have skills because geneti c counselors have to know which tests are appropriate for patients based on their personal and family histories. Therefore, ordering the right test for the right patient is super vital. Decision making is also very crucial in this profession because genetic counselors help patients decide how to navigate and keep track of their medical care. These subjects can lead to emotional outcomes and it depends on the counselor to make a decision on how much information will be shared with the patient. In addition to that, genetic counselors will be the people who provide emotional support to individuals and families. It is a medical profession that requires substantial training in both the scientific and psychosocial factor of healthcare. There are very few career advancements available for genetic counseling including professor, public academic journalist, legislature and community groups' speaker, etc. Although there are not a lot of career opportunities available, genetic counselors can still be specialized in these three specific core specialties: prenatal, pediatrics, and cancer. Majority of the programs provide the opportunity to combine or take part in specialty clinics outside of or within those three sub-categories: cardiology, neurology or pediatrics specialty clinics. So why would one consider going into this field of profession? A lot of people, including me, are interest in genetics, but want something greater and more personal than just laboratory duty. Others wish to be part of the medical field but think medical