Summary This position is located in the Medicine Service at the Columbia VA Health Care System. The Medical Records Technician Cancer Registrar serves as a Cancer Program Specialist in a large, complex, VA Medical Center with medical and surgical oncology services and a research program affiliated with a major medical school. The work of the position supports the care and treatment given to patients with malignant conditions. Responsibilities Medical Records Technician Cancer Registrar is responsible for planning, organizing, actuating, and control of all activities in the Oncology Patient Registry Program. In this capacity, the Cancer Program Specialist coordinates all activities associated with the Cancer Program at this VA Healthcare System. Incumbent is responsible for providing 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 Commission on Cancer Program, the VA Oncology Program, and the National Cancer Institute's SEER Program. Incumbent has full program authority to administer the Tumor Registry program at this facility. Incumbent makes recommendations for program changes to the Cancer Committee, the Cancer Committee Chairperson, and the Cancer Liaison to the American College of Surgeons and to the Cancer Conference Chairperson. Incumbent is an integral part of the Cancer Program at this Medical Center. Other duties include, but are not limited to the following: 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 Codes stages of disease using American Joint Commission on Cancer's staging requirements. Analyzes the consistency of coding of registry data, cancer diagnosis, histology, treatment,(including surgical procedures, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation therapy). Submits data monthly to the VA Central Cancer Registry, per directives, submits data to the American College of Surgeon's National Cancer Database annually, and submits data to the Connecticut Tumor Registry in accordance with the VHA Handbook 1605. Performs research and periodic 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. 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. Follow patients until their death, entering the progression of their disease into the computer program, using narrative and coding as required. Each patient abstract is updated as recurrences develop and annual follow-up is completed. The incumbent coordinates, oversees, and facilitates the Cancer Committee meetings to monitor compliance with ACoS standards to ensure certification of the Cancer Program. Develops and Monitors Quality Management and Improvement, Performance Projects and Special Studies to Enhance Cancer Patient Care and to meet Requirements of the Commission on Cancer. Initiates, conducts, and facilitates special projects, studies, and surveys which improve patient care and support the patient with cancer. Sets up plans to ensure the continuous review by professional staff to assure quality of services as required for an Approved Cancer Program. Performs other duties as assigned by management. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Tour of duty subject to change based on agency needs. Telework: Available (Ad-hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD07060A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 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. 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 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.) English Language Proficiency. MRT (Cancer Registrar) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English 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-4] Experience or Education. None beyond basic requirements. MRT (Cancer Registrar), [GS-5] Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or successful completion of four years of education above high school from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 24 semester hours in health information technology. Demonstrated [Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities]. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate [all of] the following KSAs: (a) Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products utilized in MRT (Cancer Registrar) positions (e.g., the electronic health record, coding and abstracting software, release of information systems, etc.)[.] (b) Knowledge of the Joint Commission requirements, [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services], Commission on Cancer [ ], and American College of Surgeons (ACoS) guidance and/or health record documentation guidelines[.] (c) Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work [ ] to complete duties within required timeframes and ability to follow-up on pending issues. MRT (Cancer Registrar), [GS-6] Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. Demonstrated [Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities]. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate [all of] the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of medical terminology to understand the content of the medical record [.] (b) Knowledge of anatomy and physiology to understand the location of the cancer[.] (c) Ability to operate computerized programs [ ] to review documentation within the electronic medical record[.] (d) Ability to notify appropriate parties and organize all required documentation to ensure complete case presentation at tumor boards. MRT (Cancer Registrar), [GS-7] Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated [Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities]. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate [all of] the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pathophysiology [ ] to understand the spread of the cancer disease process[.] (b) Ability to analyze the electronic health record and enter appropriate data into the OncoTrax cancer registry software abstract[.] (c) Knowledge of ACoS standards regarding tumor boards, including clinical staging, prognostic indicators, clinical guidelines, and clinical trials availability. MRT (Cancer Registrar), [GS-8] Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated [Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities]. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate [all of] the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of professional registry operations[.] (b) Knowledge of medical terminology, staging of cancer, and requirements of internal and external approving organizations[.] (c) Knowledge of the cancer committee processes and procedures [ ] to improve patient care and verify compliance with ACoS and/or facility standards[.] (d) Ability to serve as a subject matter expert on cancer programs for the medical center[.] (e) Skill in utilizing electronic health records and cancer registry software. Preferred Experience: 1 year as a certified tumor registrar. References: VA Handbook 5005/79, Part II, Appendix G35 - Medical Record Technician Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive 5019. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.