Section 4778.11. Authorized activities for licensees

(A) An individual who holds a valid license to practice as a genetic counselor may engage in all of the following activities:

(1) Obtain and evaluate the medical histories of a patient and the patient's family members to determine the risk for genetic or medical conditions and diseases in the patient, the patient's offspring, or the patient's family members;

(2) Discuss with a patient and the patient's family the features, natural history, means of diagnosis, genetic and environmental factors, and management of risk for genetic or medical conditions and diseases;

(3) Identify and coordinate genetic laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies as appropriate for genetic assessment;

(4) Integrate the results of genetic laboratory tests and other diagnostic tests with individual and family medical histories;

(5) Explain to a patient and the patient's family the clinical implications of the results of genetic laboratory tests and other diagnostic tests;

(6) Evaluate the response of a patient or the patient's family members to one or more genetic conditions or the risk of reoccurrence and provide patient-centered counseling and guidance;

(7) Identify and use community resources that provide medical, educational, financial, and psychosocial support and advocacy;

(8) Provide medical, genetic, and counseling information to patients, their families, and other health care professionals;

(9) Pursuant to a collaborative agreement, perform the activities specified in division (B) of this section.

(B) A genetic counselor may enter into a collaborative agreement with a physician who agrees to work with and provide medical support to the genetic counselor. The agreement shall be established as a written, formal document that memorializes the relationship between the genetic counselor and the physician and establishes the criteria governing the genetic counselor's performance of both of the following:

(1) Order genetic or other tests for the purpose of diagnosing a medical condition or inherited disorder or determining the carrier status of one or more of the patient's family members;

(2) Select the most appropriate, accurate, and cost-effective methods of diagnosis.

Added by 129th General AssemblyFile No.120, HB 292, §1, eff. 9/6/2012.