The Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) is seeking a Lead Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar). This position will be located in Houston, TX.

Duties

According to the requirements of the Commission on Cancer, the Hospital Cancer Committee, the National VA Oncology Program and the NCI SEER Programs, incumbent 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. This includes demographics, diagnosis, site and histology, diagnostic procedures, extent of disease, and treatment. Coding assignments may involve highly technical, complex diagnoses/procedures. The incumbent 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. In addition, 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. Independently codes a wide variety of medical diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures. These include: 1) Codes stages of disease using American Joint Commission on Cancer's staging requirements. 2) Analyzes the consistency of coding of registry data, cancer diagnosis, histology, treatment, (including surgical procedures, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation therapy). 3) Identifies coding discrepancies. 4) Facilitates resolution of coding discrepancies by discussion with providers. 5) Codes complicated medical records having diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic procedures that are identified as difficult to classify. 6) Reviews records to obtain data. 7) Enters data obtained from the record into the registry software. 8) Analyzes data retrieved and provides the results to health care staff for research, patient care, protocol studies and trends in cancer. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-01378-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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 (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 (3) 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. 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). 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Lead MRT (Cancer Registrar), GS-9 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) Ability to organize work, set priorities, and delegate tasks/responsibilities to meet deadlines. (b) Knowledge of neoplastic disease processes, cancer staging systems, biologic and molecular prognostic indicators to determine derived stage. (c) 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. (d) Ability to analyze data using comparative statistical methods and present the data in graph format. (e) Ability to interpret and apply facility bylaws regarding the cancer program. (f) Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements governing cancer registry operations to plan, organize, and maintain special cancer registries. (g) Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules, and regulations. References: VA Handbook 5005/128, Part II Appendix G35. Preferred Experience: Certified Cancer Registrar Knowledge of chronic disease registration/data basing and specific cancer registration. Advance knowledge of medical terminology, staging of cancer, and requirements of external approving organizations. Knowledge of design, conduct, and interpretation of case ascertainment, re-abstracting, and quality assurance studies. Knowledge of cancer committee processes and procedures in order to improve patient care and to verify compliance. Ability to serve as subject matter expert on cancer program issues for the medical center and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN). Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion. The full performance level of this vacancy is 9. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: Lakayal Givens
• Phone: 3187092538
• Email: [email protected]