People who get diagnosed with or being predisposed to genetic disorders require the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional to help them figure out various aspects. If you wish to become a certified genetic counsellor, you can find genetic counselling courses online that help you provide counselling to those with genetic disorders. 

As a certified genetic counsellor, you will study family history to figure out the pattern of inheritance of the disorder and calculate the risk of someone from the family acquiring the said disease. Online courses are most suited for professionals who wish to further their career in the field. These courses provide you with the medical knowledge required to counsel patients. 

Objectives of the program-

The genetic counselling courses online aim at imparting knowledge about genetics and enhancing the counselling skills of the student. The course is for clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals interested in making a career as a genetic counsellor.

During this program, you will discover the answers to the following questions-

• What is genetic counselling?

• What skills are needed to be a genetic counsellor?

• Why do people seek such counselling?

• What is the scope for research and laboratory work in this field?

• What are your key responsibilities as a genetic counsellor?

• How does genetic counselling vary in different contexts and countries?

• What impact can genetic disorders have on the lives of the patients?

• What are the clinical implications, history and methods of treatment available for various known genetic disorders?

The courses also include practical activities that help you prepare for the future as a genetic counsellor. You will gather the knowledge and skills required to pass the qualifying examination to become a licensed genetic counsellor.

Who is this course for?

If you have completed your Masters in any of the following disciplines, you are eligible to apply for genetic counselling courses.

• Human Genetics 

• Biochemistry 

• Biotechnology 

• Life Sciences

• Microbiology 

• Molecular Biology

• Or any other relevant medical field

You should have scored more than 50% in your PG exams to apply for genetic counselling courses. 

Some institutes hold an entrance exam for admission to the course, while others consider the PG marks as the qualifying criteria.

Topics covered in genetic counselling courses:

The curriculum of genetic counselling courses online is designed to provide you with knowledge about the various arenas of the field. Some of the topics that are taught in the course are:

• Genetic counselling

• Medical Genetics

• Counsellor-patient relationship

• Developmental Biology 

• Various areas of genetic counselling, including prenatal, pediatric, and adult counselling

• Ethical issues in genetic testing and genomics

• Opportunities and challenges for the future

• Prescribing genetic tests and interpretation of reports

• Bioinformatic assays

Why are genetic counsellors required?

Genetic counselling occupies an important place in the healthcare system. From discovering causative factors to disease diagnosis, it has helped ease the treatment of various conditions. A genetic counsellor can extend emotional support and guidance to people diagnosed with or at risk of genetic disorders. The people who usually seek the counsel of such healthcare professionals include:

• Pregnant mothers

• People predisposed to hereditary diseases

• Patients with genetic disorders

Which course to choose?

Several institutes offer genetic counselling courses that prepare students for a career in this field. Before choosing any of these courses, you need to look for certain attributes to ensure that you choose the right course. 

• Clinical internship- The course should include a clinical internship that allows you to put the knowledge that you gain to use. This clinical internship is essential for getting your licence as a certified genetic counsellor.

• Practical learning- The course should have a practical approach towards teaching the concepts. This will help you form a better understanding of the fundamentals and work efficiently as genetic counsellors.

• Roleplays and other engaging activities- Such activities can help you learn better and gain experience on how to deal with clients in the future.

• Experienced faculty- The faculty that trains you during the course should be well-experienced and qualified. 

• Live interactive session- The course should also include interactive sessions with the instructor where you can clarify your doubts and seek advice from the experts. 

If you are interested in taking up a career as a genetic counsellor, you should enrol on the Professional Certificate Programme in Genetic Counselling offered by Future Medicine Academy. iT is one of the most promising genetic counselling courses online that will help you understand the key requirements of being a genetic counsellor and various approaches related to it. It trains individuals in providing counselling pre and post genetic tests. Certification is necessary for the patients to be assured of your credibility as a counsellor. You should only go with the institute that offers you the most specialized training along with hand-on knowledge on dealing with patients with genetic disorders.