Technical Standards

The technical standards outlined below are the physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities required for students to successfully complete the Genetic Counseling Graduate 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 ADA Coordinator at DisabilityServices@uams.edu  or 501-526-5641.

All students enrolled in the UAMS Genetic Counseling Graduate Program must possess the following abilities and skills:

Physical

Observing & Monitoring

Observe demonstrations and participate in classroom and fieldwork instruction. 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 & Convey Information (Adapted from the ACGC Practice Based Competencies)

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; evaluate psychological needs, including accurately perceive non-verbal cues; develop and implement a plan of care and coordinate medical resources, including accurately convey 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; and advocate for the client.

Other Physical Skills

Able to complete intensive didactic and fieldwork (clinical and non-clinical) training that may include prolonged periods engaged in patient care activities.  Able to use word processing software, edit one’s own work, utilize 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.

Cognitive

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.

Emotional, Behavioral, and Social Skills

The candidate must possess 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; and 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.

Applicants for selection to the Genetic Counseling Program will be required to verify that they understand and can meet these technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations.