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October
2004
Job title and General Description
Manager of Clinical Biology; Certified Genetic Counsellor
I work at Xenon Pharmaceuticals. My job is very interesting
as it involves a wide range of activities. My role is on the
clinical side of our research projects and includes literature
searches on the disease we are studying, managing the ethical
issues involved in our work and coordinating the communication
with doctors and researchers around the world to acquire the
patient samples that we require for our studies. I have been
with Xenon since 2000. In the early days we used to travel
to various countries to obtain the samples we needed. Now
we have a well established network of contacts to facilitate
this process. As Xenon has moved into the drug development
my role shifts away from the genetic discovery process to
pharmaceutical development and testing issues. We have very
strict ethical guidelines that we ensure are always adhered
to. Confidentiality and informed consent are very important.
Our consent process varies in different countries to take
into consideration the different languages and regulations
in each location.
What specific skills and qualities are
needed to do your job?
My job requires an in-depth, up-to-date, knowledge of medicine
and genetics.
To do my job, you must be able to work well independently
or with a team. You must be flexible and willing to change
and learn continuously. This job also requires very good organizational
and communication skills.
What do you like most about your work?
The aspect of my job that I enjoy the most is seeing how our
work truly makes a difference to the families and individuals
with the diseases and disorders that we study. We have benefited
these people by finding inherited genetic factors that allow
for better screening and molecular diagnosis, as well as drug
therapies, to be developed.
What don’t you like about your job?
Due to the nature of Xenon’s discovery and development
process my role varies greatly. When we are starting on a
new project and need to gather information and patient samples
I am very busy but as the process moves along my involvement
decreases. Sometimes I have some very quiet ‘down times’.
These gaps do give me time to catch up with my review of current
literature but I do find them a little frustrating.
Where do you see your career going from
here?
I really enjoy working at Xenon and I hope my role here will
grow and evolve with the company.
What is the range in salary that comes
with your job?
The salary for a genetic counsellor in Canada can vary depending
on your level of education, your skill level, the province
in which you work and whether you work in a clinical, research
or industry position. Taking all this into account, the average
salary usually starts at ~$45,000 plus benefits/compensation
package for a new graduate and goes up from there.
When did you know you wanted to work in sciences?
When I was very young I was interested in being a doctor.
I developed an interest in psychology and counselling. In
the mid 1990’s I was looking at a career in genetics
and biotech. I was thrilled when I discovered genetic counselling
as it allows me to combine my interest in medical genetics
and counselling.
What is your educational background? Degrees?
Specific courses?
I did my B.Sc. at UBC. Then I went to University of Melbourne
in Australia to do a graduate diploma in Biotechnology. I
returned to UBC to do the masters program in Genetic Counselling.
What was your favorite course(s) and why?
My favorite course was Biopsychology, Hormones and Behaviour
at UBC. The instructor was great and it was fascinating to
learn how our hormones control so much of how we behave.
What other hobbies and interests do you
have?
I keep busy with tennis, skiing, and going to the gym. I also
enjoy Tae bo, which is kick-boxing to music. I enjoy cooking
as well.
Do you have any advice for young people
thinking about getting into your line of work?
Be proactive.
Don’t just expect things to come to you or to just fall
into place.
Things don’t come easily these days so you must do what
you can to broaden your skills.
There are so many options to choose from so look around and
explore a range of careers that interest View All Scientists
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