Oncology Data Specialist at St. Claire Regional Medical Center – Morehead, Kentucky

The Oncology Data Specialist establishes and maintains the efficient operation of a cancer registry, registers and follows patients with a diagnosis of malignancy, retrieves and analyzes registry data, disseminates those data per professional ethics, and serves as staff to the Cancer Committee in coordinating the cancer program. The interests and directives of the medical staff and administrative authority guide activities.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Identifies all cases of malignant disease from hospital departments, primary care centers, clinics, and private physician offices.
• Obtains and abstracts core information from the patient’s medical record, including demographic characteristics, history of cancer, diagnostic procedures, diagnosis, stage, extent of disease, and treatment, about the patient and his/her cancer, into the registry.
• Completes abstracts within four months of discharge as required by the Kentucky Cancer Registry (KCR). (AcoS requires abstract completion within six months of discharge.)
• Follows all living patients to obtain end-results information on the quality of life and length of survival and treatment.
• Maintains a follow-up rate of at least 90 percent on living patients, 80 percent overall, as required by the American College of Surgeons (AcoS).
• Facilitates preparation of the Annual Cancer Report by the Cancer Committee.
• Organizes and maintains a data system that conforms to the standards of cancer registry operation and meets the needs of registry data users.
• Maintains the confidentiality and security of patient data stored in the cancer registry files.
• Codes topography and morphology of cancer cases and codes all items of information for computer entry.
• Develops and maintains quality control of case finding, abstracting, coding, follow-up, and data processing procedures.
• Maintains a policy and procedure manual for the Cancer Program.
• Participates in two annual computerized Patient Care Evaluation (PCE) studies conducted by the American College of Surgeons to meet approved Cancer Program requirements.
• Assembles and disseminates data collected in the cancer registry, answers requests for data, and prepares routine and special reports summarizing the organization's cancer experience.
• Prepares minutes for Cancer Committee meetings, sends notifications/reminders to attendees, and ensures that the Committee activities follow AcoS guidelines.
• Conducts case reviews of physician documentation for 10 percent of annual cases abstracted.
• Participates in the National Cancer Database’s Calls for Data for National Statistics by sharing registry information.

Education:
Associate’s Degree in healthcare required.

Experience:
Three years’ experience in healthcare required. Experience in Health Information Management preferred.

Licensure/Certification:
Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) required.

Physical/Work Requirements:
The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is required to communicate effectively. Specific vision abilities this job requires include close vision for reading and computer work. The employee must lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.

The work environment described here is representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in an area with good lighting and climate control. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.