Technical Standards for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program

The technical standards outlined below are the physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities required for students to successfully complete the UAMS Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program.

These requirements must be met by all students, with or without reasonable accommodations, entering the program.

Students have the responsibility to self-identify as a person with a disability with a need for accommodation(s). Students who have or believe they may have a disability requiring accommodation(s) should contact the UAMS Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator at DisabilityServices@uams.edu or 501-526-5641.

Observe and Monitor

• The candidate must be able to observe demonstrations and participate in classroom and fieldwork instruction.
• The candidate must be able to accurately monitor a client for verbal, behavioral and physical signs at a distance and at close proximity utilizing a range of sensory abilities and monitor a client’s progress.

Evaluate and Convey Information (Adapted from the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling Practice-Based Competencies)

• The candidate must be able to effectively and accurately assess information to perform an accurate evaluation of a medical condition and/or risk of a medical condition in the client or family.
• The candidate must be able to evaluate psychological needs, including accurately perceiving non-verbal cues.
• The candidate must be able to develop and implement a plan of care and coordinate medical resources, including accurately conveying information using one or more means of communication (verbal, written or assisted, such as interpreter or TTY) to patients, other health care providers, laboratories and insurance providers.
• The candidate must be able to advocate for the client.

Other Physical Skills

• The candidate must be able to complete intensive didactic and fieldwork (clinical and non-clinical) training that may include prolonged periods engaged in patient care activities.
• The candidate must be able to use word processing software, edit one’s own work and utilize the Internet, social media and library resources.
• It is the responsibility of the students to facilitate their transportation, in a timely manner, to all fieldwork training sites (clinical and non-clinical) to participate in educational training and patient care responsibilities. Most fieldwork training sites are not accessible via public transportation.

The candidate must be able to obtain, interpret, analyze, integrate, synthesize and apply information from direct observation, multiple sources of communication, medical literature and diagnostic information to inform one’s clinical reasoning and to exercise sound judgment in a timely manner.

• The candidate must possess the following:
  • The emotional health and psychological stability required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities
  • The exercise of good judgment
  • The prompt completion of all responsibilities
  • The development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with classmates, faculty, clients and fieldwork supervisors
• The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments and to function effectively under stress.
• The candidate must possess self-awareness and insight in order to grow personally and professionally and to incorporate feedback provided by faculty and fieldwork supervisors.