An Overview of the GCA Program
The program provides an overview of various aspects of genetic counseling and genetic assistantships. This course includes an orientation to the genetic counseling profession and an understanding of the role and importance of a genetic assistant. The study material aims to provide working knowledge covering necessary topics related to the basics of slightly advanced genetics, followed by documentation of cases, analysis of cases, communicating with patients, exploring tools available for genetic counseling, and tests offered for various conditions. As a part of practical training sessions, the learners are encouraged to shadow genetic counseling sessions to understand the ethical norms that must be followed during counseling. The program aims to equip its learners with the necessary skills and knowledge of the principles needed in the field.
Program Outcomes
At the completion of the program, the learner will gain knowledge of the following:
Month 1
An Orientation to Genetic Counseling
An introduction to the profession of genetic counseling, genetic counseling assistants, and the ethics to be followed during genetic counseling.
Understanding the Inheritance of Diseases
An explanation of fundamental concepts in genetics, learning patterns of inheritance followed by various common and rare genetic conditions, creating pedigrees, and listing out the genetic tests available for the same.
Knowing Terminology
The learners become familiar with terms that are relevant and frequently used in genetics while practicing genetic counseling.
Month 2
Analysis of cases
Based on the information and knowledge gained on genetic concepts, the learners study cases to practice genetic counseling procedures.
The Documentation Process
The learners are informed about the clinical documentation procedures and regulations to be followed in the genetic counseling profession.
Improve Communication
The learners are trained to strengthen their communication skills needed to interact with patients, families, physicians, and other professionals in the related field.
Patient counseling
Learners learn how to educate patients and their family members about inherited diseases, a range of diagnostic options, and associated services available to handle the condition at ease.
Month 3
Genetic counseling tools
Learners get an opportunity to discover various electronic tools that are accessible to genetic counseling experts, such as pedigree construction, databases, research publications, and help networks, through which a genetic assistant can assist the genetic counselor in the documentation process.
Discuss ethical issues
To understand the ethical standards of genetic counseling, learners are taught about the rules and regulations to be followed by both the genetic counselor and the genetic counseling assistant.
Responsibilities of a Genetic Counseling Assistant
The learner learns about the primary duties of a GCA, such as drawing pedigrees, collecting family medical histories, maintaining records, following up and scheduling patient appointments, billing and insurance procedures, maintaining confidentiality related to patient privacy, and using genetic information to maintain genetic counseling databases.
Practical training (Optional)
Learners are encouraged to shadow a genetic counselor, attend real-world genetic counseling sessions, and obtain a better understanding of the procedure.
ALL TRAINEES SHOULD BE STUDY THE BELOW PREREQUISITE COURSES IN GENETICS FOR BETTER INSIGHT.
Starts with an introduction of the components of a cell, followed by structure and function, cell cycle, cell division - mitosis and meiosis...
This topic deals with the introduction to human genome organization covering aspects related to Structure and Function of Nucleic acids: DNA...
This course provides an overview on basic principles of Inheritance, analysis of Inheritance, how one inherits traits from their parents. Wh...
Topic deals with the different types of Human Genetic Disorders with their Genetic basis and Genome variations, and also includes treatment ...
Types of treatment and Gene Therapy-Somatic and Germline, methods and limitations, various approaches for Antisense therapy, Gene editing, G...
Role of a Genetic Counseling Assistant (GCA)
A Genetic Counseling Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting genetic counselors in various aspects of their work. While specific responsibilities may vary depending on the setting and the needs of the genetic counseling practice, some common roles and duties of a Genetic Counseling Assistant include:
Overall, Genetic Counseling Assistants play a vital role in supporting the delivery of genetic counseling services, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive care and support throughout the counseling process. Their contributions help genetic counselors to effectively address the needs of individuals and families facing genetic concerns and empower them to make informed decisions about their healthcare options.
All modules have been designed to engage you as a learner. You should sign up on the LMS portal and enroll in the online courses by paying a one time training fee of $495 by credit card. You will have your own login credentials to access the LMS to learn and do assignments.
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