Genetic counsellors* work directly with patients and families offering genetic/genomic information and support allowing them to make health decisions.
For the NHS Scientist Training Programme you’ll need a 1st or 2.1 either in an undergraduate honours degree or an integrated master’s degree in a relevant pure or applied science subject. If you have a relevant 2.2 honours degree, you’ll also be considered if you have a higher degree in a subject relevant to the specialism for which you are applying. Evidence of research experience is desirable. Experience of working in a caring role (e.g. through previous professional work such as nursing/midwifery or in a voluntary capacity) is highly desirable, and candidates are unlikely to be shortlisted onto the STP without this. As genomic counselling involves working with individuals in emotive circumstances, it can be helpful to spend some time working in similar settings anyway, prior to training to help determine whether this is the right career for you.
Genetic/genomic counsellors are covered by Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. As a trainee genetic/genomic counsellor, your starting salary would typically be AfC band 6. Once qualified and working as an autonomous practitioner, you would typically receive a salary at AfC band 7-9.Staff will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week. There may occasionally be unsociable hours but this is unusual. Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.
A career in genetic/genomic counselling is well suited to those with a strong interest in genetic science but also with well-developed people skills who would prefer to work in a patient-facing role to combine genomics education and counselling. Many of those who apply for the training for genomic counselling have undertaken short counselling courses.You’ll need excellent communication and counselling skills to support and empower people at emotionally difficult times as they adjust to the genetic condition in them or their family.
With further training, experience or both, you may be able to develop your career and apply for vacancies in areas of further specialism, management, research or teaching. Genetic/genomic counsellors have a structured career progression that takes them to principal and then consultant positions (AfC band 8a-9).
Related roles
- Genomics [2]
- Counsellor [3]
- Clinical bioinformatics (genomics) [4]
- Counselling psychologist [5]
Doctors working in genitourinary medicine diagnose and treat people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
Training usually starts with a five year first degree in medicine (MBBS), two years foundation doctor training, two years core training (CT1-2), followed by four years specialty training (ST3-6). This period of training will include your royal college exams. Length of training can vary according to your circumstances.
Doctors may work up to 48 hours a week. The working hours may sometimes extend beyond the normal working day to include early mornings, evenings and weekends. You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training after medical school. The basic salary ranges from £29,384 to £34,012. Once you start your specialty training as a doctor in genitourinary medicine employed by the NHS, you can expect to earn a salary of at least £40,257, which can increase to between £84,559 and £114,003 as a consultant.
You'll need excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families. You'll be emotionally resilient, have excellent problem-solving and diagnostic skills and work well in teams and under pressure. You'll also be very organised for the benefit of patients.
In 2021, there were 227 consultants in genitourinary medicine in the NHS in England. In addition, there were 30 applications for 38 training places. You could specialise or conduct research,
teach medical students or postgraduate students in training or get involved in research at universities, the NHS or private sector.
Related roles
Information and communication technology (ICT) is the development, management and support of the ICT infrastructure in health organisation, including the personal computers, email systems and mobile communications.
ICT staff deliver a variety of different services so people with different qualifications, knowledge and skills are needed. You may have a background in web development or IT helpdesks, for example.
Entry requirements will differ depending on the role but it may be possible to enter an entry-level post with no formal qualifications, but GCSEs or equivalent qualifications are an advantage. Apprenticeships in health informatics are also available. Other roles will require very specific professional qualifications such as computer science. The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme also has a health informatics strand for graduates with relevant degrees.
Most ICT jobs in the NHS are covered by Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. This pay system covers all staff except doctors, dentists and the most senior managers. ICT staff in the NHS will usually work standard hours of 37.5 per week but some evening or weekend work may be needed depending on the role. Terms and conditions can vary for non-NHS employers and contractors.
Staff working in ICT will need good technical skills and an ability to diagnose problems systematically. Most roles will need experience and knowledge of Microsoft Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office packages. You’ll also need problem-solving skills, experience of working as a team and be able to work under pressure. ICT staff employed directly by health organisations will need a good understanding of healthcare systems. Those employed by contractors to deliver ICT systems won't necessarily need this but it is always best to check any job descriptions and person specifications.
There are opportunities to progress your career into senior management roles. Most NHS organisations will now have chief information officers who lead the delivery of ICT systems locally, regionally and nationally. Courses in health informatics are also offered by some universities at undergraduate and master's level. The NHS has also developed training courses to support you through your career. Many of these will count towards your continued professional development and may lead to a formal professional qualifications.