Oncology Data Specialist

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is seeking an Oncology Data Specialist to coordinate, manage, and lead the program effort in establishing and maintaining statewide cancer case reporting from all mandated facilities. This role is crucial for ensuring accurate and comprehensive cancer data collection, which supports public health initiatives and policy development. The specialist will interpret regulations, provide technical guidance to reporting entities, and onboard new facilities to electronic reporting systems. The position involves program evaluation, monitoring performance, and identifying training needs. A key aspect of the role is processing, analyzing, and evaluating submitted case reports to ensure compliance with data quality, format, timeliness, and completeness standards. The specialist will work both independently and as part of a team, developing and revising submission procedures and contributing to the development of best practices for data management. This position also plays a role in quality control studies, assisting with the development of statewide data goals, and staying informed about national reporting standards. Building partnerships with mandated entities is essential. Additionally, the role may involve training and guiding interns, support staff, and contractors, and requires statewide travel and attendance at national conferences.

Requirements

• Statutes and agency rules, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to cancer registration.
• Comprehensive knowledge of cancer registration standards as outlined in the following references: American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer data dictionary (e.g., STORE); Arizona Cancer Registry handbook; the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology; the SEER Program Manual (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program); the SEER Summary Staging Manual; the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual; the Solid Tumor Rules related to the determination of primary tumor and histology; the SEERRx Interactive Antineoplastic Drug Database, and the Hematopoietic Database.
• Human anatomy and physiology related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
• Medical terminology related to the diagnosis, pathology, staging, and treatment of cancer.
• Strategic planning, development, and implementation.
• Report preparation and data presentation.
• Principles of management and program planning, program evaluation, and grant processes.
• Microsoft, Google, and Adobe products.
• Cancer Registry products (RMCDS, Web Plus).
• Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Lean methodologies.
• Interpersonal communication as applied to contacts with mandated reporters, stakeholders, and team members.
• Oral and written communication.
• Strong organizational abilities.
• Project and program management.
• Analyzing and evaluating technical and epidemiologic data.
• Proficient computer and software skills (Microsoft products, Google Suite, and Adobe Acrobat).
• Ability to plan, organize and administer a health program.
• Ability to interpret and synthesize complex medical data.
• Ability to prioritize and organize multiple complex projects.
• Ability to complete tasks, and develop quality work products.
• Ability to set and achieve goals and objectives.
• Ability to make critical decisions.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret cancer statute and regulations.
• Ability to problem solve independently and with others.
• Ability to identify outcomes and performance measures.
• Ability to support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential free from discrimination.
• Driver's License

Nice To Haves

• ODS eligible (completion of an NCRA-Accredited Associate Degree Program/Practicum, NCRA-Accredited Certificate Program/Practicum, or completion of any Associate’s degree with 6 credits in Anatomy & Physiology) with at least 3 years work experience in cancer registry, medical coding, health information management, project coordination and/or team management.
• Associates degree in Health Information Management, Health Information Technology or related field may substitute for 1 year experience.
• Credentialed ODS-C (Oncology Data Specialist - Certified) within 3 years of hire.

Responsibilities

• Leads the internal effort of abstracting and analyzing physical and electronic medical case reports in the cancer data management system to summarize cancer case information, including demographics, cancer identification, stage of disease, treatment, and follow-up for non-hospital facilities.
• Processes, monitors, reviews, and evaluates physical and electronic case reports, critical data changes, and other documents submitted by hospitals and non-hospital facilities statewide to ensure compliance with data submission standards for quality, format, data elements, timeliness, and completeness.
• Manages a designated group of electronic non-hospital reporters that report via the CDC application Web Plus, including exporting clinic data, importing it into the cancer data management system, and onboarding new facilities to increase electronic reporting.
• Serves as a liaison for Web Plus facilities, provides training and technical assistance, responds to questions, and performs monthly quality assurance reviews on data.
• Assists with the development and implementation of operational best practices of processing, merging, and editing data.
• Participates in quarterly and yearly quality assurance activities by reviewing and resolving cases, working on various reports for data submission to the CDC, and assisting with quality assessments and studies.
• Provides training and guidance to interns, support staff, and contractors, including initial trainings, case tracking and demographic reviews, and implementing quality assurance measures.
• Interprets and answers questions from mandated reporting entities to ensure conformance with cancer registry policies and procedures, statutes and regulations, and reporting and abstracting rules.
• Prepares, writes, and submits reports required by management and for federal cooperative agreement progress reports and continuation applications.
• Attends monthly virtual standard setter trainings, quarterly internal trainings, and annual conferences related to cancer registry practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Benefits

• Affordable medical and dental insurance plans
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Wellness program and plans
• Life insurance
• Short/long-term disability insurance
• Defined retirement plan
• Award winning infant at work program
• Credit union membership
• Transit subsidy
• ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree