Depending on the size of the department you work in, you may focus
on a particular area such as prenatal or cancer genetics or
dysmorphology. Smaller centres require that you have a diversity of
skills and are able to run a variety of clinics. Most work in this
specialty is ambulatory and a reasonable amount involves community
outreach services.
Clinical genetics is expanding with advances in technology. One
particular challenge will be the impact of genotype on common
complex disorders with genetic predisposition.
This specialty offers exciting career opportunities. It is advisable
to focus on a specific area (or areas) since it is impractical to be
a ‘generalist’ geneticist.
Work in this field is said to be very compatible with family life.
Flexible training is usually accessible, there is relatively little
ongoing clinical responsibility, and the after-hours call
requirement is nil-light.
One contributor commented that she manages to balance her career
with family life. Although travel is an important component of the
job and you must keep abreast of changes in the specialty, it is
certainly possible to make up time in the evenings or on weekends in
order to be available for important occasions such as school events.
Clinical genetics is a growth area so the infrastructure in New
Zealand is not fully developed. As yet, the specialty is not
officially recognised in this country for the purposes of vocational
registration.
