We welcome a variety of learners in the Genetics Section at UAMS!
Medical Students:
As a 3rd year medical student, you may spend ½ to 1 full day shadowing one or more geneticists in clinic in order to see a wide variety of patients with underlying congenital anomalies, learning delay/autism, genetic syndromes, or inborn errors of metabolism (to name just a few). Students can see how the genetics team works together to evaluate new patients, offer and consent for genetic testing, and/or review genetic test results. 4th year medical students have the opportunity for a full month-long elective rotation in genetics which would include additional opportunities such as attending case conference, inpatient consultations and observing multidisciplinary clinics.
Residents and Fellows:
Similarly, we often welcome pediatric and neurology residents for rotations as well as fellows from our neonatology and developmental pediatric fellowships. Rotators get the opportunity to assume meaningful roles in clinic evaluating new and follow up patients as well as consultations. They can learn about appropriate genetic testing and result interpretation.
We strive to individualize the rotation for each rotator and to understand their career goals to maximize their genetics exposure.
Genetic Counseling Students:
We supervise genetic counseling students in the UAMS Masters of Genetic Counseling Program for their pediatric rotation. Students in their first year of the program will shadow a genetic counselor for a few days each semester. The student is teamed with a genetic counselor and geneticist to evaluate patients for many indications including developmental delay, multiple congenital anomalies, and family histories of genetic conditions. The student observes different parts of the session including gathering medical and family histories, consenting for genetic testing, and discussing genetic test results. In the second year of the UAMS genetic counseling program, the students have two 5-week rotations where they actively take on roles with patients under direct genetic counselor supervision.
Student Shadowing:
The Genetics section welcomes students exploring a career in genetics to shadow both geneticists and genetic counselors. If you are interested in a shadowing opportunity, please contact Katie Bosanko at kbbosanko@uams.edu. After contacting Katie Bosanko, please complete the application for the ACH Job Shadowing program at https://www.archildrens.org/careers/job-shadowing through Volunteer Services.