In this chapter:

1.    “ABGC” means the American board of genetic counseling.

2.    “ABMG” means the American board of medical genetics.

3.    “Board” means the North Dakota board of medicine.

4.    “Genetic counseling” means a communication process, conducted by appropriately trained individuals which includes:

a.    Assisting an individual, the individual’s family, a health care provider, or the public with comprehending the issues inherent to genetic counseling. Such assistance may include:

(1) Appreciating the medical, psychological, and social implications of a disorder, including features, variability, usual course, and management options; (2) Learning how genetic factors contribute to the disorder and affect the chance for recurrence of the condition in other family members; (3) Understanding available options for coping with, preventing, or reducing the chance of occurrence or recurrence of a condition; (4) Selecting the most appropriate, accurate, and cost-effective methods to determine risk for genetic conditions and diseases; and

(5) Understanding genetic tests, including diagnostic genetic tests, screening tests, or predispositional genetic tests; coordinating testing for inherited disorders; and explaining complex genetic test results; b.    Assessing the likelihood of the occurrence or recurrence of an abnormality in the pregnancy in structure, function, or metabolism or of any potentially inherited or genetically influenced condition. Such assessment may include the following:

(1) Obtaining and analyzing a complete health history of an individual and the individual’s family; (2) Reviewing pertinent medical records; (3) Evaluating the risks from exposure to possible mutagens or teratogens; and

(4) Discussing genetic testing or other evaluations to identify a condition or determine the carrier status of one or more family members; and

c.    Facilitating an individual’s or family’s:

(1) Exploration of the perception of risk and burden associated with a genetic disorder; (2) Decisionmaking regarding testing or medical interventions consistent with the individual’s or family’s beliefs, goals, needs, or resources or with the individual’s or family’s cultural, ethical, or moral views; and

(3) Adjustment and adaptation to the condition or the genetic risk by addressing needs for psychological, social, and medical support.

5.    “Genetic counselor” means an individual licensed under this chapter to engage in the practice of genetic counseling.

6.    “Supervision” means ongoing direct clinical review for the purposes of training or teaching, by a supervisor approved by the board who monitors the performance or an individual’s supervised interaction with a client and provides regular documented face-to-face consultation, guidance, and instructions with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the supervised individual. This supervision may be by personal contact or indirect contact by telecommunication.