Job Description

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: 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