.03 Definitions.
A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B. Terms Defined.
(1) “Accredited educational program” means an educational program that is accredited by the national accrediting council or an equivalent accrediting body recognized by the national certifying board.
(2) “Board” means the State Board of Physicians.
(3) “Certified genetic counselor” means an individual certified as a genetic counselor by a national certifying board.
(4) “Committee” means the Genetic Counseling Advisory Committee established under Health Occupations Article, §14-5G-05, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(5) “Disciplinary panel” means a disciplinary panel of the Board established under Health Occupations Article, §14-401, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(6) Genetic Assessment.
(a) “Genetic assessment” means the integration of genetic laboratory test results and other diagnostic studies with the medical histories of a patient and the patient’s family members to assess the risk for the patient or the patient’s family members of:
(i) A genetic or medical condition or disease; and
(ii) The recurrence of a genetic or medical condition or disease.
(b) “Genetic assessment” includes taking medical and family histories for the purpose of genetic counseling.
(7) “Good standing” has the meaning stated in COMAR 10.32.22.02.
(8) “Immediately available” means a qualified supervisor is able to provide necessary direction in person, by telephone, or by other electronic means.
(9) “License” means a license issued by the Board to practice genetic counseling.
(10) “Licensed genetic counselor” means an individual who is licensed by the Board, in accordance with Health Occupations Article, Title 14, Subtitle 5G, Annotated Code of Maryland, to practice genetic counseling as a genetic counselor in the State.
(11) “Licensee” means a licensed genetic counselor or a supervised genetic counselor.
(12) “National accrediting council” means the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling, or its successor, that accredits education programs for genetic counselors.
(13) “National certifying board” means the American Board of Genetic Counseling, its predecessor, or its successor, that certifies genetic counselors.
(14) Practice Genetic Counseling.
(a) “Practice genetic counseling” means:
(i) Obtaining and evaluating the medical histories of a patient and the patient’s family members for purposes of a genetic assessment;
(ii) Discussing the features, natural history, means of diagnosis, genetic and environmental factors, and management of risk for genetic or medical conditions or diseases.
(iii) Identifying, ordering, and coordinating genetic laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies, as appropriate, for purposes of a genetic assessment;
(iv) Using the medical histories obtained from the patient and the patient’s family members for purposes of a genetic assessment;
(v) Explaining the clinical implications of genetic laboratory tests and other diagnostic studies and the results of the tests and studies and communicating the risk factors for genetic or medical conditions or diseases identified by a genetic assessment;
(vi) Evaluating the responses of a patient and the patient’s family members to the results of a genetic assessment and providing counseling and anticipatory guidance for a genetic or medical condition or disease;
(vii) Identifying and using community resources that provide medical, educational, financial, and psychosocial support and advocacy for a genetic or medical condition or disease; and
(viii) Providing written documentation of medical, genetic, and counseling information for a patient, a patient’s family members, or appropriate health care professionals.
(b) “Practice genetic counseling” does not include diagnosing or treating an illness, a disease, or a condition.
(15) “Qualified supervisor” means:
(a) A licensed genetic counselor who has practiced for a minimum of 3 years after passing the national certifying examination; or
(b) A physician who has been licensed in the State for a minimum of 5 years.
(16) “Supervised genetic counselor” means an individual who is licensed by the Board, in accordance with Health Occupations Article §14-5G-14, to practice genetic counseling under the supervision of a qualified supervisor.
(17) “Supervision” means the ongoing, direct, clinical review for the purposes of training or teaching by a qualified supervisor who monitors the performance of a supervised genetic counselor’s supervised interaction with a patient and provides consultations, chart reviews, guidance, and instructions with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the supervised genetic counselor, as well as documented face-to-face meetings on at least a monthly basis.
(18) “Supervised interaction” means an interaction between a supervised genetic counselor and a patient where a qualified supervisor is immediately available.
