Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent employees of Medicine Service at SAVAHCS only. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

• Responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining accurate cancer case finding to identify all reportable diagnoses in accordance with the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, the VA National Oncology Program, NCI SEER, and the individual facility. Thoroughly reviews the electronic medical record to evaluate clinical and diagnostic procedures to assess appropriateness of inclusion in the registry.
• Searches the medical record to identify and code all information pertinent to the patient's diagnosis. This includes demographics, site and histology, diagnostic procedures, extent of disease, staging, and treatment. Coding assignments may involve highly technical, complex diagnoses, surgical procedures, and treatment protocols. Incumbent utilizes specific coding references, resources, and manuals produced by the standard setters (CoC, SEER, NAACCR, AJCC, etc.) to ensure that complete and accurate data is captured for each patient's disease. Identifies discrepancies within the medical record and facilitates resolution of discrepancies by discussion with providers.
• Responsible for the process of obtaining annual information on the disease and vital status of each patient in the registry. This process includes identifying patients due for follow-up, reviewing patient medical records, contacting outside facilities or physicians in accordance with VA policies and procedures, and updating the cancer registry database to reflect any disease recurrences and subsequent treatment as appropriate.
• Develops and maintains operating procedures for the Cancer Registry. Distributes cancer registry workload and maintains productivity. Assembles and disseminates data collected within the cancer registry database when called upon for information. Identifies and recommends future departmental needs, such as staffing, space, references, education, and equipment. Assists in training new personnel and/or students assigned to the cancer registry. Provides technical direction to program clerks, technicians, or volunteers who assist with cancer registry functions. Participates in educational activities of the hospital as well as local, state, and national cancer registrar associations.
• Responsible for submitting data to the VA Central Cancer Registry. Submits data monthly to the Arizona State Cancer Registry in accordance with the VHA Handbook 1605; maintains required documentation between the Arizona State Registry and SAVAHCS.
• Provides technical support for the multidisciplinary Cancer Committee and leads discussion on items concerning the cancer registry as it relates to the cancer program. Incumbent is an integral part of the Cancer Program at the Medical Center and is encouraged to propose changes/improvements in practice to the Cancer Committee. Incumbent assists physician QA reviewer in performing quality assurance of cancer registry data. Incumbent performs the duties with minimal or no supervision, exercising judgment and initiative in planning. Assists Cancer Committee Chair in preparing annual reports of the cancer program.
• Supports research investigators who request statistics or other data from the cancer registry for preparing protocols or for conducting other research activities in accordance with VHA policies and procedures.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Remote: 100%
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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)
• 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.

Grade Determinations: Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar) Coordinator, 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) Knowledge and understanding of ACoS and/or facility requirements for administering, monitoring, and reporting compliance of the cancer program to the governing bodies.
• (b) Ability to interpret data [ ] to set, evaluate, and adjust the cancer program and/or facility goals and objectives.
• (c) Ability to inform cancer registry staff on the technical components of the cancer database, coordinate workflow and monitor data for accuracy and quality measures.
• (d) Ability to multitask.
• (f) Ability to communicate with diverse disciplines regarding the facility requirements of the cancer program.
• (g) Ability to analyze and interpret data for use in facility strategic planning.
• (h) Ability to develop cancer program/cancer registry policies and procedures to ensure patient-centered care for cancer patients in accordance with government wide, agency, and facility requirements.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G35, Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar), GS-0675.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09.
Physical Requirements: Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar) Functional Requirements: Use of fingers; Both hands required; Sitting (up to 8 hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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