Medical Records Tech (Cancer Registrar)

Summary

This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) section at the Hampton VA Medical Center.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

05/03/2024 to 05/20/2024

• Salary

$36,209 - $71,569 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 00

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Hampton, VA

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

8

• Job family (Series)

0675 Medical Records Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTA-12402717-24-STE

• Control number

789667500

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Current permanent VHA (Veterans Health Administration) employees.

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Duties

Assignments/duties for each grade level are listed below but not all inclusive:

GS-4: MRT (Cancer Registrar) at this level serve in entry level positions and receive close supervision from more experienced MRT (Cancer Registrar) staff members.

GS-5: MRT (Cancer Registrar) at this grade level serve in developmental positions and receive guidance from more experienced MRT (Cancer Registrar) staff members for more complex issues and/or procedures.

GS-6: MRT (Cancer Registrar) at this grade level searches the medical record to identify and abstract/code information. The abstract is conducted by collecting, summarizing, coding detailed demographic and clinical information, and assisting with organizing and maintaining the cancer registry data system. Assists with lifetime follow-up on patients, including cancer status and vital status. Coordinates and participates on tumor boards to ensure that appropriate documentation is maintained.

GS-7: MRT (Cancer Registrar) at this grade level serve in developmental cancer registrar positions by thoroughly searching the medical record to identify and abstract/code all information. Organizes and maintains the cancer registry data system. Reviews lifetime follow-up on patients including cancer status and vital status. Coordinates and attends multidisciplinary tumor boards to ensure that appropriate documentation is maintained. Abstracts by collecting, summarizing and coding detailed demographic, and clinical information.

GS-8: This is the full performance level for this assignment. MRT (Cancer Registrar) at this level perform all tasks and duties autonomously. Searches the medical record to identify and abstract/code all information. 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: Day

Telework: Available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

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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.

• 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

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: 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: (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.

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 above, candidates must also meet any additional requirements to include KSAs based on grade assignment below.

Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar), GS-4

Experience or Education. None beyond basic requirements.

Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar), GS-5

(a) Experience/Education. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR successful completion of four years of education above high school from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 24 semester hours in health information technology.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Ability to utilize health information technology and various office software products utilized in MRT (Cancer Registrar) positions e.g., the electronic health record, coding and abstracting software, release of information systems, etc.

• Knowledge of the Joint Commission requirements, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services], Commission on Cancer, and American College of Surgeons (ACoS) guidance and/or health record documentation guidelines.

• Ability to manage priorities and coordinate work to complete duties within required timeframes and ability to follow-up on pending issues.

Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar), GS-6

(a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of medical terminology to understand the content of the medical record.

• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology to understand the location of the cancer.

• Ability to operate computerized programs to review documentation within the electronic medical record.

• Ability to notify appropriate parties and organize all required documentation to ensure complete case presentation at tumor boards.

Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar), GS-7

(a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of pathophysiology to understand the spread of the cancer disease process.

• Ability to analyze the electronic health record and enter appropriate data into the OncoTrax cancer registry software abstract.

• Knowledge of ACoS standards regarding tumor boards, including clinical staging, prognostic indicators, clinical guidelines, and clinical trials availability.

Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar), GS-8

(a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of professional registry operations.

• Knowledge of medical terminology, staging of cancer, and requirements of internal and external approving organizations.

• Knowledge of the cancer committee processes and procedures to improve patient care and verify compliance with ACoS and/or facility standards.

• Ability to serve as a subject matter expert on cancer programs for the medical center.

• Skill in utilizing electronic health records and cancer registry software.

References: VA Handbook 5005/128, Part II, Appendix G35 MEDICAL RECORD TECHNICIAN (CANCER REGISTRAR) Qualification Standard, dated March 5, 2020. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

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-4 to GS-8.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; hearing (aid permitted); sitting for up to 8 hours; repetitive motions for computer data entry.

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

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

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• Benefits

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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 window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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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.