Oncology Data Specialist

Summary

Aptive Resources is seeking Oncology Data Specialists to support cancer registry operations within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The selected candidate will perform cancer casefinding, abstraction, follow-up, and data quality activities to ensure accurate and timely cancer data reporting in compliance with various standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform cancer casefinding, accessioning, and abstraction of oncology cases into VHA-approved cancer registry software
• Complete the full NAACCR data set, including VA-specific supplemental fields, to produce a comprehensive patient record
• Document and substantiate all coded data using detailed text fields for:
• Patient history and physical exam o Imaging, scans, and scopes
• Laboratory and diagnostic procedures
• Pathology findings
• Treatment and surveillance
• TNM staging and prognostic factors
• Assign American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging for all eligible cases in accordance with current AJCC and SEER guidelines
• Complete all applicable physician TNM staging fields during case ascertainment or case completion
• Ensure registry data supports reporting requirements for:
• VA Central Cancer Registry (VACCR)
• State Central Cancer Registries
• American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC)
• Maintain compliance with all applicable registry standards and coding guidelines, including:
• NAACCR
• SEER
• AJCC
• Commission on Cancer
• National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• WHO International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O)
• Apply current and historical coding manuals as appropriate for the patient’s diagnosis year
• Maintain patient follow-up information including:
• Last vital status
• Disease status
• Supporting documentation
• Update follow-up records as required, including when patients are identified as deceased or when subsequent primary cancers are reported
• Provide the Contract Manager with a list of completed cases
• Submit periodic reports to the Oncology Data Lead using VA-approved trackers documenting case review results
• Tracker reports must include at minimum:
• Facility Identification Number (FIN)
• Accession/Sequence Number
• Primary Site
• Class of Case
• Histology/Behavior
• Diagnosis Date
• Tumor Size
• Extent of Disease (EOD)
• SEER Summary Stage (SSS)
• AJCC Stage
• Treatment Modality Summary
• Last Follow-Up Date
• Personnel Name
• Notes describing identified issues and corrections
• Participate in VISN or facility cancer committee quality reviews when requested
• Correct all identified data issues within 30 days of notification from VA Central Office (VACO) or facility quality assurance reviews, at no additional cost to the Government
• Maintain strict confidentiality of patient records in accordance with:
• Privacy Act of 1974
• VA computer access security agreements
• All applicable federal and VA information security policies

Skills

• ODS-C credential in good standing
• Minimum 2+ years of ODS-C, cancer registry experience
• Demonstrated experience with cancer case abstraction, staging, and registry data standards
• Ability to maintain ODS-C certification through required continuing education credits
• Ability to complete all VA mandatory training and educational requirements by required deadlines

Qualifications

Must Haves

• ODS-C credential in good standing
• Minimum 2+ years of ODS-C, cancer registry experience
• Demonstrated experience with cancer case abstraction, staging, and registry data standards
• Ability to maintain ODS-C certification through required continuing education credits
• Ability to complete all VA mandatory training and educational requirements by required deadlines