Oncology Data Specialist - Full-Time

Mercy Medical Center; United States; On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy Medical Center in the Cedar Rapids area seeks a Cancer Registry Specialist to ensure complete data collection for all diagnosed and treated cancer patients. You will abstract data, code according to AJCC standards, and produce reports for physicians and administration.

Two years of registry experience and familiarity with CoC guidelines are preferred. This on-site role offers a steady daytime schedule with 40 hours per week and opportunities for continuing education and credentialing.

Qualifications

• Associates or BA/BS preferred with experience in cancer registry tasks.
• Certification or eligibility in oncology data is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of registry coding and AJCC/CoC standards.

Responsibilities

• Abstract demographic, medical history, diagnostic findings, stage, therapy and follow-up for cancer patients.
• Access databases, generate reports for physicians and staff.
• Maintain complete data collection for Mercy Medical Center cancer patients.
• Adhere to CoC standards and Mercy safety guidelines.
• Manage registry data, run reports, and present data to leadership.

Skills

Cancer Registry software

Microsoft Office Suite

Data analysis

Case finding & abstraction

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Registry databases

Job description

Work Shift Day Scheduled Weekly Hours 40

Summary

This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by complete and accurate data collection and maintenance for all cancer patients diagnosed and/or treated at Mercy Medical Center.

Job Duties

• Abstracts demographic information, medical history, diagnostic findings, primary site, morphology, stage of disease, complete cancer therapy and follow-up.
• Accesses databases and prepares reports for physicians and other staff needing quality outcome and financial data.
• Maintains complete and accurate data collection for all cancer patients diagnosed and/or treated at Mercy Medical Center.
• Follows the policies and procedures set forth by the American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer (CoC).
• Manages cancer registry database, generating reports and presenting data to administration, medical staff and cancer committee.
• Stages the disease according to the ACoS standards for TNM staging as needed.
• Creates a suspense/case finding list by reviewing pathology, radiology and clinic reports and notes, identifying cases to be abstracted and included in the registry.
• Maintains all continuing education certifications required by accreditation body and Mercy Medical Center.
• Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job‑specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledgeable regarding Cancer Registry software and Microsoft Office Suite used in the registry process.
• Ability to use data in registry to run reports, conduct data analysis and perform extracting.
• Requires knowledge and application of: ICD-03 primary site and morphology codes and current Commission on Cancer CoC standards (STORE) AJCC staging Collaborative staging SEER Extent of Disease coding Medical terminology related to anatomy, current reporting requirements of site‑specific laboratory/pathology findings
• Must be familiar with: ACoS Site Specific Surgery coding Treatment modalities (i.e., medical and radiation oncology) Current codes and morphology codes for purposes of case finding CoC Standards
• Excellent interpersonal communication (verbal, non‑verbal, and listening) skills, and written communication skills.
• Excellent organization/time management skills
• Flexibility and dependability
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Familiar with other office equipment including fax machine, phone and copy machines

Professional Experience

Two years' experience with cancer registry reporting requirements including abstracting, case finding, and follow‑up strongly preferred.

Education

Associates /Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science preferred

Licensure, Certification, Registration

Certified by the National Cancer Registrars Association as an Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) or take initial test within 1 year of employment and become certified within 2 years of employment required.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary: Exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a minute amount frequently

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Location

Cedar Rapids area

About Mercy

Mercy is an independent, community‑based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Mercy is an equal‑opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Additional Information

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