Oncology Data Specialist

Aptive; United States; Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Aptive is seeking an Oncology Data Specialist (ODS-C) to support cancer registry operations for VA VHA. The role involves cancer casefinding, abstraction, and data quality activities using VA-approved registry software to ensure complete and timely reporting in line with national standards.

Responsibilities include TNM staging, data maintenance, and periodic reporting for VACCR, state registries, and CoC. Requires ODS-C credential and at least two years of registry experience; confidentiality

Qualifications

• 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 VA mandatory training and educational requirements by required deadlines.

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, imaging, labs, pathology, treatment, and surveillance.
• Assign AJCC TNM staging for all eligible cases per current guidelines.
• Maintain compliance with registry standards (NAACCR, SEER, AJCC, CoC, NCI, ICD-O).
• Update follow-up records and report completion; provide trackers with required data fields.

Skills

ODS-C credential

Cancer registry

Data abstraction

Staging & TNM

VA/NAACCR guidelines

Job description

Job Summary

Cancer Registrar / Oncology Data Specialist

Aptive Resources is seeking Oncology Data Specialists (ODS-C) to support cancer registry operations within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The selected candidate will perform cancer casefinding, abstraction, follow-up, and data quality activities using VA-approved cancer registry software. The role ensures complete, accurate, and timely cancer data reporting in accordance with VA, national registry, and accreditation standards.

Primary Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities: Cancer Casefinding and Data Abstraction

• 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. Reporting and Registry Compliance
• 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. Follow-Up and Data Maintenance
• 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. Quality Assurance and Data Integrity
• 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. Security and Confidentiality
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

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.

About Aptive

Arrow ARC supports Veterans Health Administration facilities and offices across the U.S. with health care staffing and program support via the 10-year Integrated Critical Staffing Program (ICSP). We provide staffing solutions to address critical shortages in VHA medical facilities caused by turnover, recruitment issues, seasonal needs, surges or emergencies.

Arrow is a certified Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Businessjoint venture between Artemis ARC and AptiveResources, two award-winning companies that share an agile, mission-focused, results driven approach in the federal sector. Arrow provides management consulting services and specializes in working with federal government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and Office of Personnel Management.

EEO Statement

Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.

Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.