Profile

I studied Genetics at Newcastle University, after that I worked in the NHS genetics lab here at the Centre for Life, and now I am training to be a genetic counsellor! We see patients who have (or are at risk of having) a genetic condition to organise testing, help them to understand genetic information and help them to make decisions. The STP is a training programme which lasts 3 years and includes training in the workplace as well as studying part-time at university throughout the 3 years.

My days at work can be very varied! Some days I will have appointments with patients which is my favourite part of the job. The appointments could be about any topic and no two patients are the same, so I will usually spend some time reading their notes to make sure I’m prepared before I see them. Some days I might have university work to get done, and when I’m not seeing patients or studying I’ll be attending meetings, writing letters to patients and other healthcare professionals, organising genetic tests and preparing to see more patients! I also get along really well with my colleagues, and we usually have lunch together as well as doing things together outside of work! I also help to run the twitter page for Newcastle Genetics.