Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar)

Description:

The work of the position supports the care and treatment given to patients with malignant conditions. The incumbent in this position is responsible for planning, organizing, actuating, and control of all activities in the oncology Patient Registry Program. In this capacity, the Cancer Program Specialist coordinates all activities associated with the Cancer Program at the New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS).

Requirements:

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:

• 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).
• 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

• 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 (6) months of experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of the health record and one (1) 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, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-08 MRT (Cancer Registrar):

• Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-07.
• 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 American College of Surgeons (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.

**Your resume must clearly show how you meet the required experience and education for this position. Applications that do not include this information in the resume will be considered not qualified.**

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/128 Part II Appendix G35 Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar) dated March 05, 2020.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.