Genetic counseling job market in the United States and Canada: An analysis of job advertisements 2014–2016

Abstract

Genetic counseling careers continue to evolve, yet there remains a lack of information about hiring trends in the genetic counseling profession. In this study, job advertisements in the United States and Canada were analyzed, using the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Job Connections and the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) eBlasts from 2014 to 2016 to appraise job roles, qualifications, settings, specialties, and type. NSGC had 1875 advertised openings from 2014 to 2016, while ABGC had 373 advertised openings. Jobs containing a “counseling” role increased as a percentage from 2014 to 2016 when advertised by NSGC (χ2 = 25.52, p < 0.000001) but decreased each year from 2014 to 2016 as a percentage when advertised through ABGC (χ2 = 14.29, p = 0.0008). In the ABGC job postings, it was noted that 36% of job postings were advertised for other specialties (not solely cancer, pediatric, or prenatal) in 2014, and increased to 67% in 2016 (χ2 = 10.09, p = 0.02). Examining the job specialties posted by ABGC and NSGC, several new or unique roles were found in the job advertisements such as ophthalmology counselor, variant curator, rare diseases information specialist, and clinical policy analyst. Roles for temporary, contract or fellowship positions are possibly becoming more common, along with small upturns in positions that are off‐site or remote. In analyzing the changing workforce, there was a statistically significant decrease identified in jobs advertised by NSGC in the laboratory setting from 28% in 2014 to 17% in 2016 (χ2 = 24.12, p = 0.000024). This information on the evolving career of genetic counseling is valuable for the current workforce and training programs as they adapt with the changing landscape of the profession.

Workforce Implications of Increased Referrals to Hereditary Cancer Services in Canada: A Scenario-Based Analysis

“…Thus, our model’s 2020 estimated need for 53 GMDs and 200 GCs working in direct patient care in cancer represents approximately 50% of the available genetics workforce. This is consistent with other studies that have shown that cancer accounts for a large number of patients seen in genetics clinics [ 4 ] and is the most common practice area for new GCs [ 6 , 20 ]. However, considering that there are only about 20–25 graduates from Canadian genetic counseling programs per year [ 21 ], with only about 10–12 choosing a cancer specialty, Canadian genetics clinics may struggle to meet the base case’s projected need for an additional 129 GCs by 2030.…”

The Canadian genetic counseling workforce: Perspectives from employers and recent graduates

“…To (Burns, et al, 2019). This is in addition to the fact that recent genetic counseling graduates may be less likely to pursue non-patient-facing roles compared to those with more years of experience.…”

Access to Genetic Counselors in the Southern United States

“…In 2008, 82% of counselors reported working in clinical settings and providing direct patient care [6], dropping to 59% in 2018 [5] and 2019 [7]. With a wider range of job opportunities in administration, research, public health, industry, and public policy [8], the number of counselors practicing in clinical settings is declining [7,9].…”