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Job summary

Main area
clinical scientist
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
001-ACS040-0326
Employer
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Employer type
NHS
Site
CIGC (Canolfan Iechyd Genomig Cymru)
Town
Whitchurch
Salary
£48,527 - £55,532 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/03/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board logo

Genetic Counsellor

Band 7

WHO WE ARE:

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Board in the UK, employing over 16,000 staff and providing over 100 specialist services. Serving a population of around 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst also working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone and to delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”. We have recently refreshed our strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, which sets out the Health Board’s Vision for improving the health and wellbeing of the populations we serve by 2035 through the delivery of our strategic objectives; Putting People First, Providing Outstanding Quality, Delivering in the Right Places, and Acting for the Future. We have challenging times ahead, but we are confident that by tackling these challenges together, we can support people to live healthier lives and reduce the unfair differences in the prevalence of illness and health outcomes we see in our communities today. We aspire to deliver outstanding care and treatment for people when they need it, where they need it; care that compares well with the best in the world, but to do so, we need to transform how we deliver services over the next decade and beyond.

We are a values-driven organisation and out goals will only be realised if our values are at the heart of everything we do. Created by colleagues, patients and their families and carers, our values are:

·         We are kind and caring

·         We are respectful

·         We have trust and integrity

·         We take personal responsibility

OUR REGION:

Wales has much to offer with miles of stunning coastline, UNESCO world heritage sites and beautiful countryside. Cardiff, the thriving Welsh capital, has something for everyone. It is a fantastic city to live and work in with an abundance of sports, arts and cultural attractions. Situated to the west of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan offers a combination of beautiful Welsh countryside and a dramatic natural coastline, as well as charming towns including Penarth and Cowbridge. Those seeking more culture may find themselves drawn to the National Museum, St Fagan’s Museum of Welsh Life or the Millennium Centre, home of the Welsh National Opera. Whether city life or rural living, Cardiff and the Vale offers the best of both worlds.

 


 

Job overview

To provide a high-quality genetic counselling service at a regional specialist level for the population of Wales within the All Wales Medical Genomic Service.
 
To help individuals and families deal with a genetic disorder. This is to be achieved by helping the clients and their families 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 clients choose the course of action which seems to them most appropriate.
· Make the best possible adjustment to the disorder in an affected family member and/or the risk of recurrence of that disorder.
To act as a significant education resource, both for the wider health care system and trainees in clinical genetics and genetic counselling.

Main duties of the job

Clinical: 
Assess genetic risk, interpret literature and test results, provide expert counselling, and manage an autonomous caseload. Conduct full assessments, make referrals, communicate complex and sensitive information, and support patient‑centred decisions using non‑directive techniques. Run clinics across Wales, manage conflict, maintain high‑quality documentation, and support patients through emotionally challenging scenarios.
 
Planning: 
Develop personalised care plans, coordinate referrals, maintain CPD, uphold professional standards, and use reflective practice with strong organisational and diary management skills. 
 
Improvement & Monitoring: 
Lead service improvements and develop SOPs, protocols, and policies aligned with local and national priorities. 
 
Leadership & Training: 
Support service development, supervise trainees, deliver teaching, contribute to research, audits, and scientific presentations. 
 
Digital & Communication:
Ensure accurate records, use digital systems, liaise with labs, collaborate across centres, and produce high‑quality written communication.
 

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Working for our organisation

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services.   Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”, and our vision is that every person’s chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.

Person specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Graduate with a completed MSc in Genetic Counselling and GCRAB Registration OR Completed an STP(E) in Genomic Counselling and registered with HCPC.
Desirable criteria
  • Counselling certificate / diploma
  • Teaching qualification or assessed teaching experience

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Genetic counselling experience
  • Understanding of professional and current issues related to genetics, the NHS, and relevant fields
  • Experience of dealing with families with genetic disorders
  • Experience of managing an individual caseload
  • Working with people who are distressed
  • Previous experience of research and audit
  • Works within AGNC code of ethics and GCRB code of conduct

Skills and Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Familiarity with databases
  • Microsoft Office
  • Ability to analyse research findings to inform practice development and service delivery
  • Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh

Other

Essential criteria
  • Satisfactory enhanced DBS clearance including an/a Adults and Children’s Barred List check
  • Understanding of quality, safety and experience and clinical governance
  • Knowledge and awareness of safeguarding procedures
  • Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner.
  • Organised
  • Ability to be flexible and accountable.
  • Team player and strong work ethic.
  • Ability to manage time effectively and prioritise.
  • Ability to work independently and at a multidisciplinary level.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoAge positiveDisability confident leaderhyderus o ran anableddAccredited Living Wage EmployerDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldArmed Forces CovenantDFN Project Search LogoStonewall Top 100 Employers in 2023Stonewall Top 100 Employers in 2023Core principles

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Welsh language skills are desirable

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Caroline Kirwan
Job title
Lead Consultant Genetic Counsellor
Email address
[email protected]
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