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Summary This position is in Medical Administration Service (MAS)/Health Information Management Section (HIMS) at the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System (NIHCS). The Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar Coordinator) supports the care and treatment given to patients with reportable neoplastic conditions. Incumbent is responsible for coding, abstracting and reporting required information and data elements to the Tumor Registry. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include, but are not limited to: Thoroughly searches the medical record to identify and code all information pertinent to the patient's diagnosis (includes demographics, diagnosis, site and histology, diagnostic procedures, extent of disease, and treatment) Keeps abreast of new medical terminology and revisions to the above manuals. Utilizes coding references to ensure that complete and accurate data is collected. Codes information contained on several forms and documents that make up an entire record. Codes diseases, surgical procedures, and causes of injury (uses specific codes required in a cancer registry, stage of disease, morphology, and topography using International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, AJCC Staging Manual and the ROADS Manual). Codes stages of disease using International Classification of Diseases for Oncology. Analyzes the consistency of coding of registry data, cancer diagnosis, histology, treatment (including surgical procedures, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation therapy.) Codes complicated medical records having diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic procedures that are identified as difficult to classify. Maintains a control system to ensure that all cases of cancer are coded in a timely manner by adhering to the Standards of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, Registry Operations and Data Standards and appropriate VA Regulations Reviews records to obtain data which is then entered into the registry software (The oncology data is available for analysis and used by health care staff for research, patient care, protocol studies, and trends in cancer). Submits data from the tumor registry in accordance with VA guidelines to the VA Central Cancer Registry. Collects core data from patients' records, including demographic characteristics, diagnostic procedures, diagnoses, stage and extent of disease. Reviews medical records to gather information on cancer statistics, including treatment, stage of disease, incidence, survival and numerous other criteria. Assists in research and preparing correspondence by retrieving and releasing data following a standardized approach which meets the requirements of the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act regulations. Organizes and maintains a data system which conforms to the standards of an Approved Cancer Program and meets the needs of the users of the registry data, if applicable. Maintains quality control of follow-up procedures. Performs the quantitative and qualitative analysis on medical records to ensure that all component parts are present, accurate, complete, timely and will meet the established requirements and standards of the Joint Commission and the American College of Surgeons. Participates in routine and focused reviews for the purpose of identifying problems and potential problems in record documentation as part of the formal Medical Record Review process under the direction of the Quality Improvement Program (may be assigned to gather information for time studies and/or quality assurance studies). Oversees Tumor Board coordination of meetings to include appropriate documentation in the electronic medical record (CPRS), ensuring documentation meets the requirements and standards set for by ACoS and/or facility standards. Uses OncoTrax Tumor Registry database or the current specified application to enter, edit, update, list, delete and print relevant cases. Assists in training new personnel and/or students who are new to Cancer Program and/or Tumor Board procedures and standards. Records and distributes Tumor Board minutes on a weekly basis. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92640-0 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. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. 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 /or 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). TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and experience: (a) 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. (b) 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). Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a MRT (Cancer Registrar)] on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. MRTs (Cancer Registrar) who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. MRTs (Cancer Registrar) initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Employees who are retained as a MRT (Cancer Registrar) under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation, lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a MRT (Cancer Registrar) Grade Determinations GS-0675-09: To qualify as a MRT (Cancer Registrar) Coordinator, GS-9 You must demonstrate one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. This experience may include, but is not limited to; performing all tasks and duties autonomously. Search the medical record to identify and abstract/code all information. Organize and maintain the cancer registry data system. Review lifetime follow-up on patients including cancer status and vital status. Oversee tumor board documentation, ensuring documentation meets the requirements and standards set forth by ACoS and/or facility standards. Ascertain a random sampling of annual analytic case load for physician review to ensure quality registry data. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 diverse 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. Creditable Experience. Knowledge of current medical record technology. To be creditable, your experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current cancer registry practice and may be paid or non-paid employment. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is either directly related to the position to be filled or in a related field. Qualifying experience must also be equivalent to the next lower grade level. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active practice, which is paid/non-paid employment as a MRT (Cancer Registrar). Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a professional MRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MRT would receive one week of full-time credit for each two weeks of half-time work. References: VA Handbook 5005/128, Part II, Appendix G35 Physical Requirements: Complies with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations, using protective equipment when required and provided. Promptly reports all accidents and notifies supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace. Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in medical center/service level safety promotions as directed by the supervisor. Knows fire drill and emergency plans for work area, including location of all emergency fire equipment. The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. There are no unusual physical demands. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts must be official or unofficial college transcripts. A copy of your certificate/degree or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript and they will not be used in the qualifying process. Your transcript must include your name and the name and full address of the institution. If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on education, you need to list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study. If the position requires a certain number of credit hours, you are strongly encouraged to list the relevant courses in your resume. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 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.