RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF GENETIC NURSES AND COUNSELORS IN THE UNITED-KINGDOM

Genetic nurses and counsellors work as part of the professional team p roviding clinical genetic services from regional centres in the United Kingdom. The education and training needs of genetic nurses and couns ellors have not previously been formally identified. The guidelines pr esented have been devised to equip practitioners to fulfil their profe ssional role as defined in a previous study, by identifying objectives , educational pathways, and means of assessment. While academic course s provide an essential framework, experiential learning in a clinical setting is also considered a vital component of the preparation for pr actice.