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• Identifies required reportable diseases in this facility's patients through the use of the VISTA Oncology Program.
• Thoroughly searches the medical record to identify and code all information pertinent to the patient's diagnosis.
• Utilizes coding references to ensure that complete and accurate data is collected.
• 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.
• Submits data monthly to the VA Central Cancer Registry, per directives, submits data to the American College of Surgeons' (ACoS) National Cancer Database annually, and submits data to the New Mexico Tumor Registry in accordance with the VHA Handbook 1605.
• 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.
• Enters the progression of patient's disease into the computer program, using narrative and coding as required.
• 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 technical advice to the clinical staff relative to the development and implementation of QM&I projects, and assists in the technical portion of the projects.
• 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 to identify reasonable and efficient measurement of the quality of the work or the activity and to identify areas of possible improvement.
• Performs the quantitative and qualitative analysis on medical records.
• Initiates, conducts, and facilitates special projects, studies, and surveys which improve patient care and support the patient with cancer.
• 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.
• Gathers information through local as well as national ACoS' annual Patient Care Evaluation Studies in order to identify potential for significant quality process improvement.
• Participates in national Commission on Cancer (CoC) patient care evaluations as required by the CoC.
• Sets up plans to ensure the continuous review by professional staff to assure quality of services as required for an Approved Cancer Program.
• Serves as instructor for new employees who are members of the cancer program providing detailed instructions to assure that the new employees adhere to standardized practices in accordance with the cancer program standards.
• Serves as mentor and trainer for new registrars outside the facility.
• Serves as mentor and trainer for clerical staff within the service providing instructions and oversight of the day-to-day operations for the cancer program.
• 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.
• Provides leadership, direction, and documentation necessary for the coordination of the oncology patient registry activities involving various levels of staff.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner on or off duty status.
• Interacts with peers and clients in a courteous professional manner which creates an environment for optimal patient outcomes and satisfaction.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.

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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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:

• 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).
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience and Education.

1. 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
2. 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 (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.
  • (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.

• Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-07.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of professional registry operations.
  • Knowledge of medical terminology, staging of cancer, and requirements of internal and external approving organizations.
  • Knowledge of the cancer committee processes and procedures to improve patient care and verify compliance with American College of Surgeons (ACoS) and/or facility standards.
  • Ability to serve as a subject matter expert on cancer programs for the medical Center.
  • Skill in utilizing electronic health records and cancer registry software.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.