Genetic Testing Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

The qualifications that you need to start a career in genetic testing depend on the position. An aspiring geneticist should pursue a postgraduate degree in genetics. If you want to provide clinical treatments, you need to be a licensed physician (MD). Genetic counselors typically need a state license and a master’s degree. Genetic scientists can apply for entry-level research positions with a bachelor’s degree in genetics to hone their skills, but career advancement may require additional education.

Genetic testing jobs focus on research, counseling, and medical testing related to genes. Positions in this field include a geneticist, whose duties involve the study of genetics for research, medical diagnosis, and treatment. As a geneticist, you may work in a clinic or a research laboratory. You typically work on a research team that performs a medication or treatment trial. The responsibilities of a genetic scientist focus solely on research and the study of genes. As a genetic counselor, you focus on patient interaction and counseling for people with genetic disorders.