Genetic Counselor Assistant, Genetics DNA Diagnostics Laboratory

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Overview

About the Laboratory: The DNA Diagnostics Laboratory is a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited clinical genetics laboratory in the Department of Genetics at Yale School of Medicine. Sitting inside an academic medical center, we work in close contact with the clinicians we serve, which shapes how we interpret, report, and follow up on every case. Accuracy, turnaround, and patient care drive everything we do.

 

About the Role: The Genetic Counselor Assistant (GCA) in the Yale School of Medicine, Department of Genetics DNA Diagnostics Laboratory uses knowledge of genetics and molecular genetic testing to provide analytical and operational support for testing for inherited disorders. Works with laboratory genetic counselors, laboratory personnel, physicians, prior authorization staff, and internal and external stakeholders to analyze testing requirements, coordinate workflows, evaluate clinical and scientific information, analyze testing data, and support compliance with established policies, procedures, and requirements.

 

Key Responsibilities:

•  Analyzes genetic testing objectives and requirements. Reviews test orders, requisitions, clinical documentation, and related information to identify missing or conflicting information and coordinates resolution with appropriate stakeholders.
• Interprets clinical, research, and laboratory needs and translates them into operational requirements for molecular genetic testing workflows. Obtains and evaluates required clinical information and clarifies testing requests to prevent delays.
• Critically evaluates and synthesizes information from multiple sources, including clinical documentation, prior testing, laboratory records, scientific literature, insurance requirements, and reference laboratories. Reconciles discrepancies and identifies information required for testing, analysis, and reporting.
• Collects, maintains, analyzes, and reports genetic testing and operational data using established methods, databases, and tracking tools. Monitors case status, authorization timelines, and workflow measures; identifies trends or discrepancies and prepares summaries to support operations and process improvement.
• Serves as a liaison among genetic counselors, laboratory staff, physicians, prior authorization personnel, patients, and external stakeholders. Communicates testing requirements, outstanding information, workflow issues, and identified risks to facilitate timely testing and reporting.
• Works with genetic counselors and medical providers to develop medical necessity and insurance authorization documentation by reviewing and synthesizing clinical information, prior testing, scientific literature, and supporting evidence.
• Supports case analysis and reporting by compiling and evaluating clinical and scientific information, including phenotype information, prior testing, published literature, genomic resources, and evidence used in case review and variant analysis.
• Conducts literature and database research related to inherited disorders, genes, genetic variants, testing methodologies, and clinical evidence to support test selection, case evaluation, and laboratory analysis. Maintains internal knowledge resources.
• Coordinates send-out genetic testing, reviews reference laboratory requirements, prepares documentation, and resolves missing, conflicting, or other information affecting testing.
• Participates in quality assurance, compliance review, and process improvement activities. Reviews workflow and quality data, identifies discrepancies, risks, and process gaps, and supports corrective actions and improvements to accuracy, compliance, efficiency, and service quality.
• Develops and maintains workflow documentation, reference materials, templates, databases, and tracking tools. Provides guidance on established workflows and documentation requirements and contributes to staff orientation or training, as appropriate.

 

Performs other related analytical, research, laboratory operational, and administrative duties as assigned.

Required Skill and Abilities

1. Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate and synthesize complex clinical, scientific, and operational information from multiple sources; identify discrepancies, assess requirements, and support effective resolution of issues.

2. Ability to collect, maintain, analyze, and interpret testing and operational data using databases, laboratory information systems, and tracking tools; ability to identify trends and prepare clear summaries and reports.

3. Ability to conduct literature and database research and evaluate clinical and scientific evidence related to genetics, inherited disorders, molecular testing, and associated laboratory processes.

4. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary stakeholders, including genetic counselors, physicians, laboratory personnel, prior authorization staff, and external laboratories.

5. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to manage complex workflows, maintain accurate documentation, identify process or compliance gaps, and contribute to quality assurance and process improvement activities.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge of human genetics, molecular genetics, inherited disorders, and genetic testing methodologies.

2. Experience with genetic/genomic databases, scientific literature resources, and evaluation of clinical or variant-related evidence.

3. Experience working in a clinical, molecular genetics, research, or diagnostic laboratory environment, including familiarity with laboratory information systems and testing workflows.

4. Knowledge of quality assurance, regulatory/compliance requirements, and process improvement principles in a clinical laboratory, healthcare, or research environment.

5. Experience reviewing and synthesizing clinical documentation, prior genetic testing results, and scientific evidence to support genetic testing, case review, or medical necessity.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Works closely with investigators and other study team members including the project manager, for projects or programs of a small to medium size or sections of larger projects and programs to consult, conduct analysis, and identify trial objectives and requirements within specific parameters. 2. Interprets research business needs and translates them into application and operational requirements for a specific area(s) of research. Develops necessary tools and workshops to successfully elicit requirements. 3. Critically evaluates information gathered from multiple sources – research protocols, clinical trial agreements, financial budgets and fees associated with research - to reconcile conflicts, and decompose high-level information into data essentials. 4. Analyzes data with standard methods, interprets the results, and provides written summary and reporting of data analysis. Develops reporting modules, ad-hoc reports and related reporting tools. Conducts research, data analysis, modeling, projecting and scenario analyses, with the aid of planning technology and databases 5. Develops and maintain documentation and libraries on key processes. 6. Assesses risk and ensures compliance with research protocols/guidelines, university procedures, and third party regulations. 7. Determines training needs, designs, develops and conducts training sessions, meetings and conference calls with study teams and staff members. 8. Performs or assists with research compliance audits or self-assessments. 9. Communicates effectively the perspective of business opportunities, needs, and risks. Required Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years of related work experience in the same job family or an equivalent combination of experience and education. Must be knowledgeable in regional and federal regulations with the ability to perform independent decision-making on a daily basis; Epic, OnCOre, tele and video consenting. Required License(s) or Certification(s) GCP; Willing to obtain SoCRA certification within one year of hire.

Job Posting Date

10/29/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Administration & Operations

Compensation Grade Profile

Supervisor; Senior Associate (22)

Salary Range

$61,500.00 - $91,875.00

Benefits

A general description of the benefits to be offered with this Managerial & Professional position is available at:

Yale Benefits

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

On-site

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through  their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.