While the majority of genetic counselors (GCs) report working in a direct clinical role, a growing number work in nonclinical capacities, primarily in laboratories. According to the National Society of Genetic Counselors 2014 Professional Status Survey, 16.6 percent of GCs work in a diagnostic laboratory (either commercial or academic), compared to 10.9 percent in 2010. “As the number and complexity of tests increase, more and more clinical decisions are dependent on the laboratory,” says Theresa Boomer, a clinical laboratory liaison at Sequenom Laboratories (San Diego). “While decisionmakers will always be in the clinic, they also need to be in the laboratory. General physicians have never really been educated [about molecular genetics], beyond straightforward tests.” GCs are in a unique position to bridge the clinical and laboratory environments, brining benefit to both. Utilization of GCs improves patient care with effective counseling and enhanced results interpretation, while optimizing health care spending through ensuring appropriate test ordering. “You can only fake it for so long—trying to do genetic counseling with other resources on board that are already paid for,” said Boomer. “But you get a heck of a lot of bang for the buck with a GC.” The “intangible value” that clinical geneticists […]