HudsonAlpha - Genetic Counseling Assistant

Position Title: Genetic Counseling Assistant

Pay: Full-Time, $20/hr

Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Term (07/01/2026 through 06/30/2027)

Institute Overview

The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (www.hudsonalpha.org) is a non-profit organization with the mission to use biotechnology and basic biological research to make important discoveries, improve human health, stimulate economic development, inspire young people to seek careers in science and teach members of the public the importance of science in their everyday lives. Located in Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, Alabama, one of the worlds leading science and technology parks, HudsonAlphas campus contains state-of-the-art laboratories for biological research and development, as well as education, in the areas of genomics, genetics and personalized medicine.

Departmental Summary

Educational Outreach is an essential component of the HudsonAlpha mission. The education and outreach programs of HudsonAlpha are organized around two guiding principles: preparing the future biotechnology workforce and cultivating an awareness of the influence of genetics and biotechnology on the lives of all citizens. The genetic counseling team at HudsonAlpha resides within the Educational Outreach department and leads the development and implementation of educational programs for clinical audiences as well as supports the clinical and research-based genetic counseling needs across HudsonAlpha.

The Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine, LLC., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. The clinic provides genetic counseling to patients with a disease diagnosis or family history of disease, diagnoses patients with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed diseases, and provides proactive health screenings for those interested in pharmacogenetic testing, carrier testing, or elective disease risk testing.

Position Summary

The Genetic Counseling Assistant (GCA) will support the genetic counseling team at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. This position will assist with genetic counseling tasks related to clinical genetic counseling, genomic research, and educational activities. Tasks include assisting with referral triage and scheduling as well as case preparation and follow-up for patients seen at the Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine, located on HudsonAlphas campus. The GCA will also be expected to facilitate informed consent for genomic research, use standardized criteria to classify family health history information, review scientific literature, organize data, and help develop educational materials for patient and provider audiences.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position. This is a termed position specifically for the period of 7/1/2024 through 6/30/2025. This position is based at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama.

The ideal candidate for this position is an individual who is completing, or has recently completed, an undergraduate degree in biology or a related field who is planning to pursue a career as a genetic counselor. This position will involve opportunities to observe and participate in the work done by the HudsonAlpha genetic counseling team. This position requires technology proficiency, attention to detail, multitasking, and a commitment to patient privacy. In addition, the GCA must comply with clinic immunization policies.

JOB SPECIFIC TASKS

• Use family health history data and standardized criteria to identify cases at increased risk of genetic disease
• Use standardized templates to draft summaries of genomic evaluation and test results for patients and research participants
• Identify and evaluate patient/participant support resources
• Facilitate informed consent for genomic research studies
• Build family history pedigrees on paper and in electronic systems
• Enter and manage data using Microsoft Excel and Google Drive
• Read and synthesize scientific literature
  
  

Education And Required Skills Experience

• Bachelors degree in biology, genetics, or a related field preferred (college seniors are also welcome to apply)
• Basic familiarity with pedigree symbols and nomenclature
• Proficiency with technology
• Attention to detail and ability to multitask
  
  

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/Mental Functions

ADA Requirements The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer - All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

The physical requirements and environmental conditions of this position consist primarily of:

• Compliance with staff immunization policy at the Smith Family Clinic or Genomic Medicine. This includes documentation of influenza vaccination (annually), Hepatitis B, and COVID-19, as well as a negative TB skin test (annually).
  
  

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sit or stand) for prolonged periods (50% of the time).
• Frequently position self (e.g. stoop, crouch, crawl, bend) and pull and push to maintain computers and audio/visual equipment in the clinic/classroom/laboratory.
• Must be able to transport materials required for various experiences. This includes lifting and moving up to 25 pounds of materials (e.g. small stacks of textbooks, equipment) between rooms and to and from parking lots and buildings.
• Frequent operation of common office equipment (e.g. computers, mobile devices, calculators, copiers, scanners).
• Vision abilities - close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust/focus.
• Continuous mental and visual attention requiring constant alertness or activity.
  
  

Environmental Factors

• Moderate noise level (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Workspace is generally an indoor office setting and in other common and education spaces throughout HudsonAlpha with controlled temperature conditions.
• Occasional exposure to outdoor environment during portions of the workday including extreme cold or hot temperatures, or inclement weather conditions.
• Prolonged and irregular working hours, which include early morning and/or evening hours, as business dictates.
  
  

Mental Functions

• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Ability to understand complex problems and to collaborate and explore alternative solutions.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in the English language.
• Convey genomic science information in a clear, concise, and easily understandable manner.
• Use interpersonal skills to foster a stimulating, accepting learning environment.
  
  

It is the policy of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, in accordance with all applicable laws, to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

---