Medical Records Technician Coordinator (Cancer Registrar)

Veterans Health Administration • San Francisco, CA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Records Technician (Cancer Registrar) coordinates activities related to patient data reporting and cancer registry requirements for the San Francisco VA Medical Center. The role provides functional assistance for registry operations, analyzes work processes, identifies potential improvements, monitors efficiency, and reviews the quality of data submitted to the VA Cancer Registry System (VACRS). The incumbent serves as a liaison for internal and external Cancer Program entities and as a subject-matter expert on cancer registry database management and applicable Cancer Program standards.

The position performs real-time case ascertainment by reviewing data sources, completing required datasets, and conducting annual and lifetime follow-up for disease surveillance. It prepares routine and special statistical reports, narratives, and graphics; helps develop procedures for processing, documenting, storing, and retrieving registry data in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements; and supports quality review through random samples of analytic cases for physician review. The incumbent consults with managing physicians on complex diagnoses or treatment plans and monitors in-house and virtual multidisciplinary cancer conferences, including agenda review, case updates, and timely submission of minimum data requirements.

The role supports Cancer Program initiatives and the Cancer Committee with data, contributes to process improvement, risk management, and patient safety efforts, and provides expertise on cancer incidence and outcomes reporting requirements. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 0800–1630. Telework is not authorized, and the position is not virtual. The role is primarily sedentary, with some walking, bending, reaching, carrying documents and supplies, and computer data entry and word processing.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• One year of experience indicating knowledge of medical terminology and a general understanding of health records, including six months demonstrating the KSAs needed for Medical Records Technician work; or qualifying education or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Alternatively, two years of education above high school with at least 12 semester hours directly related to Medical Records Technician work, such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and health records.
• Alternative qualifying combinations include six months of relevant experience plus one year above high school with at least six semester hours of health information technology courses, or qualifying armed forces or U.S. Maritime Service medical training, subject to the stated substitution limits and additional experience requirement.
• For the GS-9 grade, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ACoS and/or facility requirements for administering, monitoring, and reporting Cancer Program compliance to governing bodies.
• Ability to interpret data to set, evaluate, and adjust Cancer Program or facility goals and objectives.
• Ability to inform registry staff about technical components of the cancer database, coordinate workflow, and monitor data accuracy and quality measures.
• Ability to multitask and communicate with individuals from various disciplines about facility Cancer Program requirements.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data for facility strategic planning.
• Ability to develop cancer program and registry policies and procedures in accordance with governmentwide, agency, and facility requirements for patient-centered cancer care.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination and required background/security investigation.
• Applicants selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position must submit to urinalysis for illegal drug screening; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must complete required onboarding and application documentation and serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate activities associated with the cancer registry and Cancer Program, including patient data reporting and compliance with registry requirements.
• Perform real-time case ascertainment by reviewing data sources and completing the full required dataset.
• Conduct annual and lifetime follow-up for disease surveillance, including cancer status, vital status, and subsequent new cancers.
• Prepare routine and special statistical reports, narratives, and graphic representations using registry data.
• Assist with developing and implementing procedures to process, document, store, and retrieve cancer registry patient data in compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Distribute a random sample of the annual analytic caseload for physician review to ensure registry data quality.
• Consult with managing physicians on complex diagnoses or treatment plans.
• Monitor in-house and virtual multidisciplinary cancer conferences, review agendas for potentially reportable patients, update previously diagnosed patients with new clinical information, and submit minimum data requirements on the conference day or by close of business in the presentation week.
• Serve as a required/core member of the Cancer Committee and support its initiatives with data when possible.
• Serve as a liaison between the Cancer Committee and internal and external entities.
• Provide subject-matter expertise on cancer registry database management, CoC data requirements, and standards related to cancer incidence and outcomes reporting.
• Analyze work processes, monitor efficiency and data quality, identify process improvement opportunities, and contribute to risk management and patient safety efforts.
• Conduct special studies and surveys to identify opportunities to improve patient care.
• Provide technical direction to program clerks and technicians who assist with the cancer registry.
• Participate in Cancer Committee annual initiatives requiring data and support cancer program goals, objectives, and strategic planning.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal or military service, if requested and approved before appointment; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed