Oncology Data Specialist - Certified

Summary of the Position: The Cancer Data Management (CDM) Oncology Data Specialist – Certified (ODS-C) will work with the Cancer Data Management Supervisor and CDM team in all aspects of the cancer registry. Under the supervision and guidance of the CDM Supervisor, the CDM ODS-C will work collaboratively with the CDM team to plan, organize, evaluate and actively participates in all cancer registry functions. The primary focus of the Oncology Data Specialist – Certified (ODS-C) is to identify, accession, abstract and code data utilizing the Cancer Data Management Oncolog database. This will be completed in compliance with national, state and accrediting institutions guidelines and standards. The ODS-C will ensure that all requirements from Standard Setters are met and maintained. These Standard Setters include the American College of Surgeons (ACoS), Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, the National American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) as well as the NY State Department of Health. The CDM ODS-C also participates in continuous improvement, reporting, and follow-up programs in order to meet departmental goals and ACoS CoC standards.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

Case Abstraction:

• Identifies reportable cases for inclusion into the cancer registry database

• Completes cancer case abstracts with a minimum accuracy of 95%. Abstracts cancer-related data according to established CDM policies and procedures including summarizing patient’s records, demographic data, diagnostic procedures, date of diagnosis, histological diagnosis and treatment. Assign codes for treatments, procedures and diagnoses according to appropriate classification systems such as: ICD-10-CM; ICD-O3; American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (ACoS CoC) Guidelines; Standards for Oncology Registry Entry (STORE); American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) Tumor, Nodes, Metastasis, (TNM) Staging/Coding; and Surveillance of Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) guidelines. Consults supervisor, team members and appropriate resources to resolve coding questions.

• Completes cancer case abstracts in a timely fashion, as per the New York State regulations and the ACOS CoC PS.
• Average case abstraction time of 1.5 hours per case or less.

• Actively participates and attends weekly cancer conferences. Enters conference information into the Oncolog database. Provides support, helps with maintaining records and documentation for the cases presented. Ensures compliance with Cancer Registry related policies and procedures.

• Assists in supporting and maintaining follow-up rate in accordance with ACoS CoC Program Standards. Contacts providers and registries to gather follow-up information and verify or correct patient information.

• Provides support with the preparation of the reports and forms as directed and in accordance with established policies. Assist in retrieving and compiling data for annual reporting.

• Provides guidance and support to physicians and other professionals with Cancer Registry and ACOS CoC Program Standard needs.
• Attends state or national educational activities as approved by the Director. Participates and completes required continuing education. Maintains a current credentials from the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).

Qualifications: Minimum of an Associate Degree in Cancer Information Management; Health Information Technology, (RHIA or RHIT); or a minimum of an Associate’s Degree in an allied Health-related field with completion of an NCRA-accredited program. Three years abstracting experience required. ACoS CoC accreditation experience preferred. CTR Credential issued by National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) preferred.

Certifications / Licensure: ODS-C Credential issued by National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) required.