Rhode Island § 5-92-3 - Genetic Counselors Licensing Act

§ 5-92-3. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following words, shall, unless the context requires otherwise, have the following meanings:

(1) “ABGC” means the American Board of Genetic Counseling, a national agency for certification and recertification of genetic counselors or its successor agency.

(2) “ABMG” means the American Board of Medical Genetics, a national agency for certification and recertification of genetic counselors, MD and DO geneticists and Ph.D. geneticists or its successor agency.

(3) “ACGC” means the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), an accreditation board for genetic counselor training programs or its successor agency.

(4) “Department” means the department of health.

(5) “Licensed genetic counselor” means a person licensed under this chapter to engage in the practice of genetic counseling.

(6) “Person” means an individual and does not mean an association of individuals or a legal entity.

(7) “Practice of genetic counseling” means a communication process, conducted by one or more appropriately trained individuals that may include:

(i) Obtaining and evaluating individual, family, and medical histories to determine genetic risk for genetic/medical conditions and diseases in a patient, the patient’s offspring, and other family members;

(ii) Discussing the features, natural history, means of diagnosis, genetic and environmental factors, and management of risk for genetic/medical conditions and diseases;

(iii) Identifying, ordering, and coordinating genetic laboratory tests as appropriate for the genetic assessment;

(iv) Integrating genetic laboratory test results and other diagnostic studies with personal and family medical history to assess and communicate risk factors for genetic/medical conditions and diseases;

(v) Explaining the clinical implications of genetic laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies and their results;

(vi) Evaluating the client’s or family’s responses to the condition or risk of recurrence and providing client-centered counseling and anticipatory guidance;

(vii) Identifying and utilizing community resources that provide medical, educational, financial, and psychosocial support and advocacy;

(viii) Providing written documentation of medical, genetic, and counseling information for families and healthcare professionals; and

(ix) When necessary, referring patients to a physician for diagnosis and treatment.

(8) “Provisional licensed genetic counselor” means a person with a provisional license issued under § 5-92-7.