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Summary The Medical Record Technician is the Tumor Registry Coordinator/Administrative Assistant to the Cancer Committee in this general medical/surgical center. Incumbent is responsible for the coordination of all activities associated with the patient data reporting and cancer registry requirements for the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center. Responsibilities Performs the regular duties of a Cancer Registry Coordinator by performing real time case ascertainment reviewing all data sources, completing full data set, and perform annual follow up for disease surveillance to meet the goal of the VACRS and hospital Cancer Program. Performs lifetime follow-up for disease surveillance for patients including cancer status, vital status, and development of subsequent new cancers. Prepares routine and special statistical reports, narratives and graphic representations requiring use of registry data to report on status of cancer incidence reporting. Assists with the development and implementation of our procedures to process, document, store and retrieve cancer registry patient data that conforms to Federal, State and local requirements. Distributes a random sample of annual analytic case load for physician review to ensure quality registry data. Consults with managing physician(s) on complex diagnoses or treatment plan. Monitors in-house & Virtual Multidisciplinary Cancer Conferences. Duties include monitoring agenda for potentially reportable patients, update previously diagnosed patients for new clinical information, if applicable. Supports the Cancer Program by being a subject-matter-experts on Commission on Cancer (CoC) data requirements and standards related to cancer incidence and outcomes reporting, provides input for potential process improvement opportunities, risk management or patient safety issues, and participates in Cancer Committee annual initiatives that require data. Actively participates in the accredited facility cancer program by providing data that guides programmatic, administrative, clinical initiatives, as well as long term strategic objectives. Performs other duties as assigned by Associate Chief of Staff, Surgical Service or Service Administrative Officer. Work Schedule: 7:30am to 4:00pm & 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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 examination. 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with [38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).] 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. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a [MRT (Cancer Registrar)] on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have 3 met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation. 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: Medical Record Technician (Cancer Registrar), GS-09 level Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities to meet deadlines. Knowledge of neoplastic disease processes, cancer staging systems, biologic and molecular prognostic indicators to determine derived stage. Knowledge of reportable diseases, surveillance, epidemiology and end results program, cancer staging systems, multiple primary and histology rules, international classification of diseases for oncology, morphology and topography, cancer treatment modalities, and data requirements. Ability to analyze data using comparative statistical methods and present the data in graph format. Ability to interpret and apply facility bylaws regarding the cancer program Knowledge and understanding of ACoS and/or facility requirements for administering, monitoring, and reporting compliance of the cancer program to the governing bodies. Ability to interpret data to set, evaluate, and adjust the cancer program and/or facility goals and objectives. Ability to inform cancer registry staff on the technical components of the cancer database, coordinate workflow and monitor data for accuracy and quality measures. Ability to multitask. Ability to communicate with individuals from various disciplines regarding the facility requirements of the cancer program. Ability to analyze and interpret data for use in facility strategic planning. Ability to develop cancer program/cancer registry policies and procedures to ensure patient-centered care for cancer patients in accordance with government-wide, agency, and facility requirements. Preferred Experience: Two years of experience reporting hospital cancer patient data to national standards equivalent to the next lower grade level. Current ODS- Credentialed Extensive understanding of National Cancer Database (NCDB), pathophysiology, advanced medical terminology, full spectrum of oncologic therapies and the oncological disease process. Extensive understanding of Commission on Cancer Standards for Accredited Cancer Programs. 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-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 level. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.