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Job summary

Main area
Genomic Medicine
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
349-SHCG-8137367-RL4
Employer
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Department of Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital
Town
Manchester
Salary
£57,528 - £64,750 per annum (pro rata)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
30/08/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Principal Genetic Counsellor

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Job overview

We have a vacancy for an experienced Genetic Counsellor to join our Genetic Counsellor Management team as a Principal Genetic Counsellor. The Post combines clinical, managerial, service development and training with a focus on the paediatric / developmental disorders and prenatal teams. The successful candidate will have expertise in working in a specialist area in rare disease, delivering expert genetic counselling and working in multidisciplinary teams.

Main duties of the job

The Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine (MCGM) delivers integrated and multidisciplinary services including cancer, metabolic, neurogenetic, cardiac, prenatal and ophthalmology services to a diverse population of 5.6 million in the North West. MCGM is co-located with the NW Genomic Laboratory Hub and works closely with the Manchester Rare Conditions Centre and other affiliated organisations delivering translational patient-centred research and service development projects.

Working for our organisation

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe - what better place to shape and develop your leadership career.  


We deliver care to over 1 million patients & users each year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. Our 30,000 plus strong workforce is central to our success and innovation.
You will play a pivotal part in supporting our operational excellence and strategic ambitions. You’ll work collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical teams, driving improvements that enhance patient experience, staff wellbeing, and service efficiency across the Trust.


MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, ideas, and expertise are valued. You’ll have access to professional development, digital tools and opportunities to contribute to transformational projects that shape the future of healthcare delivery.
We are committed to supporting your growth and wellbeing, recognising the vital role you play in our organisation’s success. 
Join us and help shape the future of our Trust—make a real difference to our teams, our services, and our communities, and fundamentally, our patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’ heading.   

Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’

To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place.  This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are — what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others.  You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

 To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Supporting Documents’ section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application 

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU—for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application—especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions—is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Person specification

Education training and qualifications

Essential criteria
  • First degree (in genetics, nursing, or biological/social sciences)
  • Professional qualification (STP Genomic Counsellor training or MSc genetic counselling, RGN, etc)
  • Registered Genetic Counsellor GCRB / HCPC (or overseas equivalent)
Desirable criteria
  • Approved GCRB Sign off Mentor
  • Counselling certificate or diploma

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant experience in genetic counselling with experience of managing an individual caseload
  • Mentoring and supervision of genetic counsellors
  • Excellent communication and counselling skills
  • Understanding of professional and current issues related to genetics, the NHS, and relevant fields
  • Critical thinking skills; knowledge and awareness of ethical practice
  • Works within AGNC code of ethics and GCRB code of conduct
  • Able to articulate personal development needs
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of leading and managing a team
  • Experience of the STP programme in genomic counselling
  • Academic experience, teaching and/or research
  • Experience of audit and service improvement
  • Experience of problem solving and change management

Skills and abilities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills
  • Ability to work autonomously and manage an independent caseload
  • Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
  • Maintain Registration with GCRB / HCPC or equivalent overseas Registration Board.
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to teach/educate professionals and families
  • Able to problem solve and initiate change
  • Able to problem solve and initiate change
  • Ability to analyse research findings to inform practice development

Personal circumstances

Essential criteria
  • Must be willing to travel between centres for peripheral clinic delivery
  • Must be willing to do some out of hours work when necessary
Desirable criteria
  • Clean driver’s licence

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sarah Pugh
Job title
Lead Consultant Genetic Counsellor
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0161 276 6322
Additional information

Georgina Hall,  

Consultant Genetic Counsellor and Honorary Lecturer

[email protected]

0161 276 6206

 

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