Genomic Science Specialist I

Genomic Science Specialist I - San Juan Capistrano, CA, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM 

This position supports Oncology products.

Pay range: $100,000 - $125,000 / year

Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Successful candidates may be eligible to receive annual performance bonus compensation.

Benefits information:
We are proud to offer best-in-class benefits and programs to support employees and their families in living healthy, happy lives. Our pay and benefit plans have been designed to promote employee health in all respects – physical, financial, and developmental. Depending on whether it is a part-time or full-time position, some of the benefits offered may include:

• Day 1 Medical, supplemental health, dental & vision for FT employees who work 30+ hours 
• Best-in-class well-being programs
• Annual, no-cost health assessment program Blueprint for Wellness®
• healthyMINDS mental health program
• Vacation and Health/Flex Time
• 6 Holidays plus 1 "MyDay" off
• FinFit financial coaching and services
• 401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Life and disability insurance, plus buy-up option
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Annual incentive plans
• Matching gifts program
• Education assistance through MyQuest for Education
• Career advancement opportunities
• and so much more!

Genomic Science and counseling are rapidly advancing areas of medical genetics, requiring extensive knowledge of the principles and practice of all areas of clinical and laboratory genetics as well as genetic counseling.  The impact of genetic testing results for patients and their families are often complex and life changing, ranging from child bearing decisions to cancer prevention strategies.  The Genomic Science Specialist will ensure that clients of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and Athena Diagnostics receive genetics services, both consultative and laboratory, of the highest quality possible.  Toward this end, the Genetic Counselor will provide the respective Genetic laboratories and their staff and Directors with organized programs in the areas of client consultation, case management, compliance, case review, collection of clinical information when warranted, facilitation and coordination of specific samples in the laboratory, test verification, quality assurance and education.  The laboratory genetic counselors collaborate with medical writing, marketing, referral testing, research and development, Variant Science groups, and the laboratory staff.    The responsibilities below relate to all areas of genetic testing regardless of geographical or physical (i.e. laboratory or non-laboratory) location of the Genomic Science Specialist, except where specified. 

• Manages requests for consultations from clients company-wide (Quest Diagnostics or Athena Diagnostics) regarding the appropriateness and interpretation of genetic laboratory tests.  Due to the importance of quality patient care, servicing consultation requests of all types is considered imperative.  Provides risk evaluations, benefits and limitations of studies, samples needed to optimize test utility and significance of results. 
• Recommends specific testing strategies for patients, collects and reviews medical information required for interpretations, explains results of genetic tests. 
• Facilitates specimen collections to ensure timely delivery of samples to the genetics laboratory. 
• Facilitates coordination with laboratories to monitor, prioritize, and track tests: prenatal genetic testing, critical genetic test send-outs, and complex maternal serum screening cases. 
• For specialized assays: verifies accurate test order for each sample received, monitors  processing to ensure timely reporting of results.  
• Manages communication of abnormal results to clients.  
• May perform Maternal Serum Screen recalculations in standardized labs as needed, including risk assessments for donor eggs and family history of neural tube defects.  (Quest Diagnostics staff only) 
• Manages case follow-up, documentation of outcomes and data collection 
• Contributes to the strategic planning, organization, implementation, monitoring, management and long-term development of genetic testing for Quest Diagnostics and Athena Diagnostics by serving on Best Practice Teams and strategic committees. 
• Develops, maintains, and updates protocols regarding the processing of genetic test results. 
• Assists with recruiting, interviewing and training new Genetic Counselors and Genetics 
• Client Service Representatives. 
• Provides organizational oversight of area(s) of responsibility and function as a resource for problem solving and process improvement to ensure timely and accurate test results. 
• Provides technical expertise for sales during training workshops and visits to clients. 
• Supports the Variant Analysis programs in the areas of client consultation, case management, compliance, quality assurance, education.  Will learn, and be proficient, in the variant analysis process 
• If needed, Supervise genetic counseling students rotating through the laboratory. 

Required Work Experience:   

Three or more years of related experience  

Physical and Mental Requirements:  

The person must be able to sit (or stand) for long periods of time 

Knowledge:  

Working knowledge of PC operation, including appropriate genetics packages and standards such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access. 

Skills: 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Demonstrated decision making and organizational skills needed for leadership and teambuilding. 
• Proven ability to accomplish tasks both independently and as a member of a team.  Ability to work effectively with local and national Quest Diagnostics’ and Athena Diagnostics’ teams. 
• Exemplify professionalism consistent with Quest Diagnostics’ values, vision and mission 
• Superb problem solving skills 
• Demonstrated accountability for professional growth and job performance by seeking education opportunities based on identified goals. 

Education

• Master’s Degree Genetic Counseling (Required)

Licenses and Certifications

• Board Eligible/Board Certified as a Genetic Counselor. Once certified, continues professional education sufficient to maintain current requirements for re-certification in the ABGC. Maintains licensures where applicable (Required)

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the following laws if applicable, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act.

Quest believes that conviction records may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship to the following job duties: accessing company property, information, assets, and products including sensitive information; accessing customer data or confidential information, and partnering and regularly working with or supervising other Quest employees and interacting with Quest customers.