Job overview

The Clinical Genetics Service at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is delighted to invite applications for a Permanent, full-time (1.0 WTE) Band 7 Genetic Counsellor to join our friendly and dedicated team in Bristol.

The successful applicant will initially be employed by UHBW. However, the service is currently in the process of integrating with the Peninsula Clinical Genetics Service to form the new South West Clinical Genetics Service. As part of this transition, it is expected that a TUPE transfer will take place on 1 April 2026, at which point all members of the Bristol Clinical Genetics Service, including this post, will transfer to Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

The Bristol Clinical Genetics Service covers a broad region with peripheral units in Gloucester and Bath and a central base in Bristol. We are a welcoming and supportive team, looking for an enthusiastic, innovative and hardworking individual to join us during this exciting time of Genomic Service evolution and delivery.  Applicants should have obtained professional registration with the AHCS, or be HCPC Clinical Scientist: Genomic Counsellor registered.  We will also consider applications from individuals expecting to achieve registration in the next 12 months, prior to registration individuals would be appointed at a band 6 under an annexe 21 arrangement and would progress to band 7 on successful attainment of registration.

Main duties of the job

Provide a high quality genetic counselling service at a regional specialist level using national and local guidelines, helping individuals and families with genetic disorders to:                                           

•  Comprehend the medical facts, including the diagnosis, probable course of the disorder, and the available management.
• Appreciate the way in which heredity contributes to the disorder, and the risk of recurrence in specified relatives.   
• Understand the alternatives for dealing with the risk of recurrence.
•   Help the patients choose the course of action which seems to them most appropriate.
• To act as an educational resource to the wider health care system in relation to clinical genetics, genetic counselling and mainstreaming of genomic medicine.
• To work as an autonomous practitioner, providing genetic counselling for patients referred to discuss a broad range of hereditary conditions. The caseload will be mixed and may encompass cancer, cardiac, neurogenetic, renal, prenatal and general genetics cases and will include participation in on-duty genetic counselling rota to manage urgent referrals and enquiries.
• Patients may be seen in hospital clinics, on the ward, in GP surgeries, and rarely on home-visits. Genetic counselling via telephone or virtual appointments will also be offered as appropriate .
• Clinic delivery will include both central and peripheral clinics.  

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact.  UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.