Lead Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar) serves in a large, complex, VA Medical Center with medical and surgical oncology services and and a research program affiliated with a major medical school. Work of the position supports the care and treatment given to patients with malignant conditions.
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. 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 (6) months of experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of the health record and one (1) 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: GS-09 Lead MRT (Cancer Registrar) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-08. 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 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/128 Part II Appendix G35 Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar) dated March 05, 2020. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.
Provides advisory and technical service to administrative, medical, and ancillary professional staff as it relates to the integration of the Cancer Committee policy and procedures, the accreditation standards of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) Program, the VA Oncology Program, and the National Cancer Institute's SEER Program. Makes recommendations for program changes to the Cancer Committee, the Cancer Committee Chairperson, and the Cancer Liaison to the ACoS and the Cancer Conference Chairperson. Utilizes coding references to ensure that complete and accurate data is collected. Codes information contained on several forms and documents that makes up an entire record. Codes diseases, surgical procedures, and co-morbid conditions. 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 FORDS manual. Codes stages of disease using the staging requirements of the American Joint Committee on Cancer. Analyzes the consistency of coding of registry data, cancer diagnosis, histology, treatment (including surgical procedures, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation therapy). Identifies coding discrepancies, and facilitates resolution of coding discrepancies by discussion with providers. Codes complicated medical records having diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic procedures that are identified as difficult to classify. Enters data obtained from the record into the registry software. Analyzes data retrieved and provides the results to health care staff for research, patient care, protocol studies and trends in cancer. Submits data monthly to the VA Central Cancer Registry, per directives, submits data to the ACoS' National Cancer Database annually, and submits data to the New Mexico Tumor Registry in accordance with the VHA Handbook 1605. Collects core data from patient's records including demographic characteristics, diagnosis procedures, diagnoses, stage, and extent of disease. Performs research and periodical statistical reports and prepares correspondence by retrieving and releasing data following a standardized approach that meets the requirements of the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act regulations. Maintains health record indexes and compiles administrative and health statistics for physicians as well as all other health care staff at this facility and throughout the VA system as well as public health officials, medical center management, planners, and others. 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. Maintains a registry that is continuously prepared for a CoC survey. Coordinates, oversees, and facilitates the Cancer Committee meetings to monitor compliance with ACoS standards to ensure certification of the Cancer Program. Monitors Cancer Committee processes and procedures implemented to improve patient care and to verify compliance of plans and requirements. Provides administrative guidance and advice to staff regarding methods of proper use of AJCC Staging forms and other medical record documentation concerning the cancer patient. Performs analysis of work processes or service delivery practices. Performs the quantitative and qualitative analysis on medical records. Participates in activities to gather information for time studies or quality assurance studies for assessing and improving cancer patient diagnoses, treatment, and quality of life. Participates in national CoC patient care evaluations as required by the CoC. Serves as instructor for new employees, who include physicians, physician's assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical staff coordinator, service chiefs, dietitians, rehab techs, and social workers who are members of the cancer program. Serves as mentor and trainer for new registrars outside the facility. Serves as consultant to new programs aspiring to obtain the CoC approval status. Serves as the subject matter expert on registry issues for the facility and VISN administrations. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): ??????? Not Authorized