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Summary This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Southeast Network (VISN 7), Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Augusta, Georgia located in the Hematology/Oncology Section of Specialty Care Service. Responsibilities This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024, or until positions are filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be Sept. 19, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Duties consist of but not limited to the following: Incumbent thoroughly searches the medical record to identify and code all information pertinent to the patient's diagnosis (includes demographics, diagnosis, site and histology, diagnostic procedures, extent of disease and treatment). Adheres to the guidelines set forth by the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) in the Registry Operations and Data Standards (ROADS), the AJCC Staging Manual International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, ICD9/10, and SEER Surgical Codes when coding tumor registry abstracts. Keeps abreast of new medical terminology and revision to the above manuals Utilizes coding references to ensure that complete and accurate data is collected Codes information contained on several forms and documents that make up an entire record, to include the electronic health record. Codes diseases, surgical procedures, and cause of injury (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 ROADS Manual). Independently codes a wide variety of medical diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical procedures. Codes diseases and causes of injury Codes stages of disease using international classification of Diseases of Oncology. 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 Facilitates resolution of coding discrepancies by discussion with providers/registry coordinator Codes complicated medical records having diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic procedures that are identified as difficult to classify. Maintains a control system to ensure that all cases of cancer are coded in a timely manner by adhering to the Standards of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, Registry Operations and Data Standards and appropriate VA Regulations Reviews records to obtain data which is then entered into the registry software (The oncology data is available for analysis and used by health care staff for research, patient care, protocol studies, and trends in cancer). Submits data from the tumor registry in accordance with VA guidelines to the VA Central Cancer Registry As part of an ACOS Approved Cancer Program, data is also submitted annually to the National Cancer Database Data is also submitted to the State Cancer Registry in compliance with the CDC (data includes codes for diagnoses and procedures, topography, morphology, and stage of disease, provider information and coded data for the treatment of cancer) Collects core data from patients' records, including demographic characteristics, diagnostic procedures, diagnoses, stage and extent of disease Independently maintains registry to show occurrences of disease by type, extent of illness and survival (information is gathered from various sources that require the employee to distinguish or validate the data) 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 (may also include 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 quality control of follow-up procedures Ensures that data is reported accurately and in correct format Prepares correspondence and summaries of medical records in response to a variety of requests Provides technical advice to the clinical staff relative to the best method of recording AJCC Staging, the use of staging forms, and the correct documentation of diagnoses/procedures Reviews medical records to gather information on cancer statistics, including treatment, stage of disease, incidence, survival and numerous other criteria Organizes and maintains the cancer registry data system. Reviews lifetime follow-up on patients including cancer status and vital status. Oversees tumor board documentation, ensuring documentation meets the requirements and standards set forth by ACoS and/or facility standards. Ascertains a random sampling of annual analytic case load for physician review to ensure quality registry data. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Remote Eligible: May be considered per discretion of Associate Chief of Staff. Functional Statement #: 000000 Requirements 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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: 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 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: 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. 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: MRT (Cancer Registrar), [GS-8] (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7). (2) 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.