Overview
Fieldwork is an essential part of the University of Washington Genetic Counseling Graduate Program (UW GCGP). You’ll spend four quarters gaining genetic counseling experience in the field, starting with spring quarter of your first year and continuing through the subsequent summer, fall, and winter quarters.
During your fieldwork training, you’ll rotate through many different clinical and laboratory sites. Each rotation lets you experience the practice of genetic counseling in a different setting, offering unique educational experiences such as tumor board meetings, clinical case presentations, grand rounds and seminars.
Rotation Placements
Rotation assignments are made by the UW GCGP Assistant Director of Fieldwork Education who will ensure that your sequence of rotations gives you the breadth and depth of experience you need to be ready to enter professional practice.
Our rotations span the Western Washington region and include the following sites:
- University of Washington
- Maternal Infant Care Clinic
- Genetic Medicine Clinic
- Genetics and Solid Tumors Laboratory
- Cytogenetics and Genomics Laboratory
- MultiCare
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Cancer Institute
- Mary Bridge Children's Medical Genetics
- Seattle Children’s Hospital
- Fred Hutch Cancer Center
- Swedish Medical Center
- EvergreenHealth Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Providence Regional Medical Center Everett
FAQs
Do I have to have a car to travel to fieldwork sites?
Not necessarily. Many of our fieldwork sites are located within Seattle and are accessible by public transportation and/or shuttle services. Some sites are in neighboring cities to Seattle, but all are accessible by public transportation. If you have any mobility or transportation issues, please discuss them with the Assistant Director of Fieldwork Education before you receive your rotation placement.
Does my summer fieldwork rotation have to be completed in the Seattle area or can I go somewhere else?
You’re not required to complete your summer rotation in Seattle. If you’d like to do your summer rotation elsewhere, you will need to meet with the Assistant Director of Fieldwork Education as early as possible to discuss the logistics of your desired rotation. There may be additional requirements to make these rotations feasible.