Duties
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/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this
checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- Other (1)
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12595742.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.