JOB REPORT / 29-9092 · 19 TASKS

Genetic Counselors.

Can AI do the work of Genetic Counselors?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

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How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients…
Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex…
Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Genetic Counselors work. It covers the 19 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

19 of 19 tasks reviewed

We went through all 19 core tasks in this job, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Genetic Counselors actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients or medical personnel.
AI DOES
Drafts plain-language handouts, FAQs, and slide decks about genetic conditions and inheritance patterns
YOU DO
Read the room — adjust tone, depth, and emphasis based on what this specific person needs right now
TASK 02
Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.
AI DOES
Drafts report sections, explains complex gene terms in plain language, and suggests standard phrasing
YOU DO
Apply your clinical judgment and personal knowledge of each patient's full story
TASK 03
Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.
AI DOES
Searches genetics literature, summarizes diagnostic data, and drafts treatment options for review
YOU DO
Apply clinical judgment, weigh patient values, and take responsibility for final care decisions
TASK 04
Design and conduct genetics training programs for physicians, graduate students, other health professions or the general community.
AI DOES
Drafts lesson plans, summarizes latest research, generates quiz questions, and builds presentation slides
YOU DO
Lead live sessions, read the room, answer complex clinical questions, and adapt teaching to each audience
TASK 05
Engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics or genetic counseling.
AI DOES
Searches databases, summarizes studies, flags relevant findings, and drafts literature reviews
YOU DO
Judge which research questions matter most and how findings apply to real clinical and ethical situations
TASK 06
Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.
AI DOES
Summarizes medical records, flags relevant history patterns, and drafts documentation templates
YOU DO
Build patient trust and catch emotional or unstated details during live interviews
TASK 07
Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.
AI DOES
Summarizes inheritance patterns, risk statistics, and condition facts from medical literature
YOU DO
Read the room, build trust, and tailor sensitive information to each patient's unique situation
TASK 08
Identify funding sources and write grant proposals for eligible programs or services.
AI DOES
Searches funding databases, drafts proposal sections, and formats budgets
YOU DO
Bring deep program knowledge and make the case for community impact
TASK 09
Refer patients to specialists or community resources.
AI DOES
Searches specialist databases and community resource lists to surface options fast
YOU DO
Weigh each patient's full situation before making the right referral call
TASK 10
Collect for, or share with, research projects patient data on specific genetic disorders or syndromes.
AI DOES
Drafts data summaries, flags relevant records, and formats datasets for research teams
YOU DO
Verify consent, protect privacy, and make ethical calls about what data gets shared
TASK 11
Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.
AI DOES
Drafts plain-language summaries of test options, risks, benefits, and limitations for counselors to review and personalize
YOU DO
Read the room, respond to fear and grief, and guide each unique family toward their own informed choice
TASK 12
Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.
AI DOES
Drafts plain-language explanations of genetic conditions and pulls together relevant research to support sessions
YOU DO
Read the room, build trust, and guide families through fear and hard decisions with empathy
TASK 13
Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.
AI DOES
Summarizes genetic variant data, flags relevant research, and helps prep patient education materials
YOU DO
Build trust with patients, read emotional cues, and guide life-changing decisions with compassion
TASK 14
Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.
AI DOES
Summarizes patient history, flags common emotional risk factors, and suggests referral resources
YOU DO
Sit with the patient, read the room, and respond to their real feelings with genuine empathy
TASK 15SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Evaluate or make recommendations for standards of care or clinical operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, ethics, legislation, or policies.
AI DOES
Analyzes compliance gaps and drafts policy recommendations
YOU DO
Apply clinical wisdom and ethical judgment
About this analysis
43% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 16SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.
AI DOES
Flags abnormal values and suggests diagnoses
YOU DO
Explain what it means for this patient
About this analysis
16% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 17SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.
AI DOES
Scans genetic data for known risk patterns
YOU DO
Interpret results within family context
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 18SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics.
AI DOES
Scans papers and highlights key findings
YOU DO
Judge what applies to your work
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 19SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.
AI DOES
Generates detailed explanations of each procedure
YOU DO
Tailor the message to each patient
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

START LEARNING AI

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There are 19 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Genetic Counselors
SOC code: 29-9092
Tasks reviewed: 19 of 19

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $100,040 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $106,100 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 3,740
Employed in Colorado: 40
Job outlook: +9.3% by 2034 · ~300 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Prepare or provide genetics-related educational materials to patients or medical personnel.

Write detailed consultation reports to provide information on complex genetic concepts to patients or referring physicians.

Determine or coordinate treatment plans by requesting laboratory services, reviewing genetics or counseling literature, and considering histories or diagnostic data.

Design and conduct genetics training programs for physicians, graduate students, other health professions or the general community.

Engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics or genetic counseling.

Interview patients or review medical records to obtain comprehensive patient or family medical histories, and document findings.

Provide patients with information about the inheritance of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.

Identify funding sources and write grant proposals for eligible programs or services.

Refer patients to specialists or community resources.

Collect for, or share with, research projects patient data on specific genetic disorders or syndromes.

Discuss testing options and the associated risks, benefits and limitations with patients and families to assist them in making informed decisions.

Provide counseling to patient and family members by providing information, education, or reassurance.

Provide genetic counseling in specified areas of clinical genetics, such as obstetrics, pediatrics, oncology and neurology.

Assess patients' psychological or emotional needs, such as those relating to stress, fear of test results, financial issues, and marital conflicts to make referral recommendations or assist patients in managing test outcomes.

Evaluate or make recommendations for standards of care or clinical operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, ethics, legislation, or policies.

Interpret laboratory results and communicate findings to patients or physicians.

Analyze genetic information to identify patients or families at risk for specific disorders or syndromes.

Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in genetics.

Explain diagnostic procedures such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS), ultrasound, fetal blood sampling, and amniocentesis.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.