Career roadmap
How to become a Genetic Counselor
What you would actually do
The tasks that make up the work of a Genetic Counselor, weighted by how central each one is to the job.
- Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
- Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
- Interact with patients to build rapport or provide emotional support.
- Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.
- Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
- Advise patients on effects of health conditions or treatments.
- Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
- Develop medical treatment plans.
The skills that actually carry the job
Scored on how much the work depends on each one — not a wishlist, a measurement.
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Science3.3/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3/5
Would this suit you?
Every occupation leans on a particular mix of interests. Here is the mix measured for a Genetic Counselor — and our free 2-minute Career Match scores you on the same six.
- Investigative5.9/7
Investigating, diagnosing, reasoning through problems with evidence
- Social5.5/7
Helping, teaching, caring for and working directly with people
- Conventional3.9/7
Ordering, checking, following a precise procedure accurately
- Enterprising2.7/7
Persuading, leading, selling, taking commercial risk
- Artistic2.3/7
Creating, expressing, working without a fixed procedure
- Realistic1.7/7
Hands-on, practical, working with tools, machines or the body
Interest profiles from the O*NET 29.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0.
