Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The duties and responsibilities of the MRT - Cancer Registrar includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Utilizes information from Commission on Cancer, American College of Surgeons Cancer Program guidelines, National VA Oncology Program and NCI SEER Program.

Identifies and codes pertinent information regarding patient's diagnosis including demographics, diagnosis, site and histology, diagnostic procedures, extent of disease, and treatment.

Utilizes pertinent references such as coding references to ensure complete and accurate data is captures.

Understands anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, the structure and physiology of major anatomical systems and major disease processes.

Utilizes specific resources, such as medical references, accepted nomenclatures, accepted disease and operation classification systems, medical dictionaries, manuals, textbooks, and glossaries.

Uses medical terminology related to every professional specialty, particularly in relation to neoplastic disease.

Uses VISTA Tumor Registry database to enter, edit, update, list, delete and print relevant cases.

Assembles and disseminates data collected within the Tumor Registry database when called upon for information.

Submits the data on a monthly basis to the VA Central Cancer Registry, American College of Surgeon's National Cancer Database, and the state's tumor registry program.

Comprehends the differences in methods of diagnosis, sequence for each primary tumor, benign or malignant tumor, primary site versus meta-static site, diagnostic procedures versus therapeutic surgery, and first course treatment versus subsequent treatment.

Manages time (specifically schedules), prioritizes deadlines and requests, and maintains organizational standards.

Communicates appropriately both verbally and in writing with professional, administrative, and technical personnel.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: M-F 0730 - 4:00pm
Telework: Ad-Hoc Telework
Remote: Mid-Term Extensions to RTO are granted for up to 180 days to further assess the impact of RTO. The following programs have been approved by the USH for mid-term extensions of up to 180 days to return to office while the impact of RTO is further assessed.

• • Exceptions to RTO requirements are outlined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and VA guidance (e.g., military spouses, staff approved for reasonable accommodations, etc.).
  • As a reminder, local leaders can determine that employees covered under mid-term extensions must return to the office, full-time or part-time

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 ALL pre-employment requirements prior to appointment
• 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.

• 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.

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).
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. (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.)

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:
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) 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).
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: MRT (Cancer Registrar),GS-8
(1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
(2) 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 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.