Summary The Cancer Registrar is a staff position located under the Cancer Data Center section of Quality, Safety and Value Service at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center. This position supports the care and treatment given to patients with malignant conditions. Incumbent is responsible for coding, abstracting and reporting required information and data elements related to the tumor registry. Responsibilities The duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Utilizes information from Commission on Cancer, American College of Surgeons Cancer Program guidelines, National VA Oncology Program and NCI SEER Program Identifies and codes pertinent information regarding patient's diagnosis including demographics, diagnosis, site and histology, diagnostic procedures, extent of disease, and treatment Utilizes pertinent references such as coding references to ensure complete and accurate data is captures Understands anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, the structure and physiology of major anatomical systems and major disease processes Utilizes specific resources, such as medical references, accepted nomenclatures, accepted disease and operation classification systems, medical dictionaries, manuals, textbooks, and glossaries Uses medical terminology related to every professional specialty, particularly in relation to neoplastic disease Through the use of classification and coding systems, determines how to code and record new diagnostic terms, treatments, drugs and therapies for which no reference or precedent is available as a guide to coding and classification Keeps abreast of current trends in modes of therapy in relation to method of diagnosis to @type of treatment Uses VistA Tumor Registry database to enter, edit, update, list, delete and print relevant cases Assembles and disseminates data collected within the Tumor Registry database when called upon for information Submits the data on a monthly basis to the VA Central Cancer Registry, American College of Surgeon's National Cancer Database, and the state's tumor registry program Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: AD-Hoc ONLY Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 trial period. 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). Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov Qualifications Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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. Grade Determinations: MRT (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: Knowledge and understanding of ACoS and/or facility requirements for administering, monitoring, and reporting compliance of the cancer program to the governing bodies. Ability to interpret data to set, evaluate, and adjust the cancer program and/or facility goals and objectives. Ability to inform cancer registry staff on the technical components of the cancer database, coordinate workflow and monitor data for accuracy and quality measures. Ability to multitask. Ability to communicate with individuals from various disciplines regarding the facility requirements of the cancer program. Ability to analyze and interpret data for use in facility strategic planning. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This position is above full performance Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service 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.
