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Summary This position of Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar) is in the Surgical Care Service at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System at Little Rock. The Cancer Registrar is responsible for abstracting and coding clinical data from patient medical records using appropriate classification systems and analyzing health records according to published governmental standards. Data entry is also required by the certified cancer registrar. Responsibilities Duties of the Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar) include, but are not limited to: Reads and comprehends detailed and complex medical information from patient medical records (computer system). Information to code meets regulatory agencies and state requirements and includes malignant and/or benign disease information including topography, morphology; laterality; SEER Extent of Disease; TNM stage; date, source, place and cause of death; quality of life and disease status at 4 months after registration; non-neoplastic condition that affect treatment; and referral diagnosis. Maintains clinical registries and work to meet the standards of regulatory and accrediting agencies related to approved cancer and/or other programs requiring registries. Adheres to the guidelines set forth by the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) in the Registry Operations and Data Standards (ROADS), the AJCC Staging Manual International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICDO), ICD-9, and SEER Surgical Codes when coding tumor registry abstracts. Independently codes a wide variety of medical diagnostic; therapeutic, and surgical procedures. Analyzes the consistency of abstracting of registry data, cancer diagnosis, and histology, treatment (including surgical procedures, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation therapy.) Codes minimum number of charts based on time on the job with an error rate that falls within the departmental guidelines. Assists in developing, implementing policies and procedures to process, document, store and retrieve medical record information conforming to Federal, State and local statutes. Reviews abstracting/coding to ensure accuracy and communicate any discrepancies to the supervisor. Responds for maintaining the security and integrity of the administrative and clinical records in the possession of the cancer registry. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Available (ad-hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 598-01244-F; 598-01245-F; 598-01246-F; 598-01247-F; 598-01248-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: MRT (Cancer Registrar) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Experience and Education: Experience. One year of experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of the health record. Six months of the required one year of experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform MRT work. OR Education. Two years above high school with a minimum of 12 semester hours directly related to MRT work (e.g., courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and introduction to health records). OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and experience: Six months of experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of the health record and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health information technology courses. Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision. Training may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to six months of experience, provided the training program included courses in anatomy, physiology, and medical record techniques and procedures. The position requires six additional months of experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of the health record. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: MRT (Cancer Registrar), GS-04 Experience or Education. None beyond basic requirements. MRT (Cancer Registrar), GS-05 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or successful completion of four years of education above high school from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 24 semester hours in health information technology. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): (a) Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products utilized in MRT (Cancer Registrar) positions (e.g., the electronic health record, coding and abstracting software, release of information systems, etc.). (b) Knowledge of the Joint Commission requirements, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Commission on Cancer, and American College of Surgeons (ACoS) guidance and/or health record documentation guidelines. (c) Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work to complete duties within required timeframes and ability to follow-up on pending issues MRT (Cancer Registrar), GS-06 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of medical terminology to understand the content of the medical record. (b) Knowledge of anatomy and physiology to understand the location of the cancer. (c) Ability to operate computerized programs to review documentation within the electronic medical record. (d) Ability to notify appropriate parties and organize all required documentation to ensure complete case presentation at tumor boards. MRT (Cancer Registrar), GS-07 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pathophysiology to understand the spread of the cancer disease process. (b) Ability to analyze the electronic health record and enter appropriate data into the OncoTrax cancer registry software abstract. (c) Knowledge of ACoS standards regarding tumor boards, including clinical staging, prognostic indicators, clinical guidelines, and clinical trials availability. MRT (Cancer Registrar), GS-08 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of professional registry operations. (b) Knowledge of medical terminology, staging of cancer, and requirements of internal and external approving organizations. (c) Knowledge of the cancer committee processes and procedures to improve patient care and verify compliance with ACoS and/or facility standards. (d) Ability to serve as a subject matter expert on cancer programs for the medical center. (e) Skill in utilizing electronic health records and cancer registry software. Preferred Experience: Preferable Associates Degree in Health Information Technology or other Allied Health Science with national ODS credential; Knowledge regarding cancer studies; Six months of experience that indicates knowledge of physiology; Six additional months of experience (clinical hours/work hours) that indicate knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of the health record; Agreeable to obtain ODS credential within 1 year of hire date, meeting annual performance expectations to have measurable productivity/proficiency. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-08. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.