Clinical Rotations
Rotations are an integral part of the Genetic Counseling Program and provide students with opportunities to increase their general clinical knowledge, gain experience with counseling for a variety of indications and develop the necessary skills and competencies required for the practice of genetic counseling in many settings and applications.
First Year Experiences
Beginning in the first semester of the program, students are involved with multiple observational activities that serve to increase awareness of the impact of genetic disorders on patients and families. Students have the opportunity to complete observational experiences at support groups and specialty clinics (e.g. Turner syndrome, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, and sickle cell) among other valuable opportunities. In addition, students spend one-on-one time with children and adults with genetic conditions in their classrooms, accompany families to medical appointments and/or have the unique opportunity to interact with families on a personal, non-medical level in a setting of their choosing. Students also spend time observing in prenatal diagnosis, pediatric and cancer genetics clinics. These begin as observational experiences in the fall semester and progress to include patient interactions including the elicitation of family histories and pedigree construction in the spring semester.
Summer Rotations
Students complete a 7-week rotation in the summer between the first and second year of the program. Under the supervision of on-site, board certified clinical geneticists and genetic counselors at ACGC-approved sites, students will progress from observation to participation in various aspects of genetic services.
Students may choose to complete their summer rotation at an institution outside of the local rotation sites listed below. Summer rotations at other sites, in other states or internationally may be arranged on an individual basis through coordination with program leadership.
Second Year Rotations
During the second year of the program, there will be two 7-week rotations per semester (for a total of 5 rotations in the second year) to permit students to work in a variety of settings reflective of current genetic counseling trends and practices. During these rotations, students will be directly supervised by ABGC certified genetic counselors and/or clinical geneticists at respective sites. Program faculty remain in good communication with students during their rotations to maximize learning experiences.
- Each student will complete at least one rotation in pediatric/general/adult genetics, cancer genetics, and prenatal diagnosis. The remaining rotations will be assigned based on the individual student’s interest and rotation availability.
- Students have the opportunity to collaborate with supervisors in establishing specific learning objectives for each rotation to empower each student to maximize their learning and personal growth.
- Evaluation and feedback of the student’s activities and progress is an informative, ongoing component of rotations. Through thoughtful discussion with supervisors, students are able to target skills and practices appropriately.
- Students are required to keep an accurate logbook and journal of their clinical experiences that will include appropriate written documentation of their patient contacts (e.g. clinic notes, summary letters) in accordance with accreditation requirements.
Rotation Sites
The UNCG Genetic Counseling Program is proud to have rotation partnerships at medical centers with both regional and national acclaim. Our students have the opportunity to complete rotations in a variety of sub-specialties at the following sites:
- Carolinas Medical Center North East
- Cone Health System
- Duke University Medical Center
- Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp)
- Wake Forest School of Medicine
Summer Rotation Sites
There are several experiences within Greensboro and experiences that are offered virtually. Experiences outside of Greensboro may require travel. Access to a valid driver’s license and motor vehicle are a critical component of one’s ability to successfully complete training in genetic counseling in North Carolina. Public transportation is available within the City of Greensboro, but may be challenging between cities across the state.