"Alerted.org

Summary The Lead Medical Record Technician (Cancer Registrar) maintain clinical registries and work to meet the standards of regulatory and accrediting agencies that approve cancer programs and/or other programs requiring registries. The incumbent is the Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) and/or Cancer Conference Coordinator to the Cancer Committee in the general medical and surgical center. The incumbent performs a wide range of administrative and technical duties Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Develop procedures to identify all cases of malignant disease from the departments of the medical center and outpatient clinics where patients are diagnosed and treated. Follow all living patients to obtain end-results information on the quality and length of survival. Maintain the confidentiality and security of patient data stored in the tumor registry computer files. Develop and complete quality control of case finding, abstracting, coding of follow-up information and processing procedures. Ability to operate computerized programs to review documentation within the electronic medical record and cancer registry software. Conducts lifetime follow-up on patients, documenting the progression recurrence of their disease and other required elements. Organize and maintain a data system that will conform to the highest standard of tumor registry operation and meet the needs of users of the registry data in accordance with the guidelines established by the American College of Surgeons Cancer Program. Develop, organize, implement, and maintain an accurate system to identify all reportable diagnoses, assuring that all eligible cases are identified and coded into the registry system. Assemble and disseminate data collected by the tumor registry, including collection and preparation of routine and special statistical reports which summarize the cancer experience of this medical center. Provide statistical data to the state central registry fulfilling all state registry regulations and requirements in compliance with VA regulations and federal law. Assist clinicians and research on cancer related studies and research projects by providing data. Provide data on cancer patient population for medical center planning and administration. Participates in educational activities of local, state, and national tumor registry conferences as a medical center representative. Determine the training needs for the tumor registry staff. Lead Cancer Registrar are responsible for developing organizing, implementing, and maintaining an accurate system to identify all reportable diagnoses, assuring that all eligible cases are identified and coded into the registry system. Utilizes the electronic health record to identify and abstract/code the required data elements. Conducts lifetime follow-up on patients, documenting the progression/recurrence of their disease and other required elements. Distributes workload and maintains productivity while assuring accuracy and completeness of registry data. Analyzes and submits data to the internal and external entities as required. Prepares routine statistical reports. This position will support the Washington, D.C. VA Cancer Registry. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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 Remote: Yes Functional Statement #: 512-25582-F 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. 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: (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 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, the candidate must meet the following grade level requirements to qualify. Lead MRT (Cancer Registrar), GS-9 Experience: Must have at least one (1) full year of experience equivalent to the GS-08 level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience, the candidate must demonstrate 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 of legal and regulatory requirements governing cancer registry operations to plan, organize, and maintain special cancer registries. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules, and regulations. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Lead [MRTs (Cancer Registrar)] are responsible for developing, organizing, implementing and maintaining an accurate system to identify all reportable diagnoses, assuring that all eligible cases are identified and coded into the registry system. Utilizes the electronic health record to identify and abstract/code the required data elements. Conducts lifetime follow-up on patients, documenting the progression/recurrence of their disease and other required elements. Distributes workload and maintains productivity while assuring accuracy and completeness of registry data. Analyzes and submits data to the internal and external entities as required. Prepares routine statistical reports. Preferred Experience: The position prefers Oncology Data Specialist (ODS, formally known as CTR) certification (ODS-C) as mandated by the American College of Surgeons to continue our CoC accreditation. This position takes an active role in the shared Cancer Committee meetings between VISN facilities to review standards prior to accreditation, completes abstracting of cases in addition to follow-up of cancer patients, helping complete directive 1420. 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-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: May include but not limited to standing up to two hours per day, use of both hands, use of fingers, and sitting up to eight hours per day. 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 "Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care." 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.