1. Genetic counseling involves gathering and evaluating family and medical histories to determine genetic risk for medical conditions.
2. Genetic counselors discuss the features, diagnosis, and management of genetic conditions and diseases with their patients.
3. They order and coordinate genetic tests and other diagnostic studies as needed for genetic assessment.
4. Counselors integrate genetic test results with personal and family medical history to assess and communicate risk factors for genetic conditions.
5. Counselors explain the clinical implications of genetic test results and provide counseling and guidance for patients and their families.
6. They help patients and families find medical, educational, financial, and psychosocial support and advocacy in their community.
7. Counselors provide written documentation of medical, genetic, and counseling information for families and healthcare professionals.
8. They refer patients to physicians for diagnosis and treatment. 1. The Act’s definition of genetic counseling may cover counseling for non-genetic laboratory tests.
2. Active-duty medical officers and certain licensed health care practitioners are exempt from licensure under the GCWA.
3. To obtain a license, an applicant must have a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited program and pass a certification examination. – Genetic counselors who meet the educational criteria for licensure but have not passed a certification examination are eligible for a two-year temporary license in Florida.
– Out-of-state genetic counselors who counsel patients in Florida through remote or telemedicine technologies are likely subject to licensure requirements under the Genetic Counselor Licensing Act.
– Out-of-state genetic counselors cannot counsel patients in Florida via telehealth by registering as an out-of-state telehealth provider, as this pathway is not available to them.
– The application process for a genetic counselor license in Florida is relatively easy, with no current application fee set by rule and the ability to complete the application online. 1. The Genetic Counseling Workforce Act (GCWA) defines genetic counseling as the process of helping individuals and families understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.
2. The Florida Department of Health (FLDOH) regulates genetic counseling in Florida and issues licenses to genetic counselors.
3. The Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Part III of Chapter 483 Florida Statutes, which allows out-of-state telehealth providers to offer genetic counseling services to Florida residents.
4. Accreditation Council of Genetic Counseling, American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics, and Canadian College of Medical Geneticists are the main accreditation and certification organizations for genetic counselors.
https://www.healthlawadvisor.com/florida-joins-a-growing-number-of-states-requiring-licensure-of-genetic-counselors
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