Oncology Data Specialist

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Job Description: Under the supervision of the Quality Assurance (QA) Manager assists in managing and coordinating Texas Cancer Registry (TCR), Cancer Epidemiology & Surveillance Branch (CESB) quality assurance, data consolidation, and editing-related activities related to improving completeness and quality of CESB data through data linkages. Performs administrative , advanced consultative services, and technical assistance for the QA and other CESB managers and teams, plans and recommends process improvement techniques, standards, policies, and procedures for quality assurance data linkage-related cancer registration guidelines and improvements. Assists with hiring, training, mentoring, and evaluating CESB QA staff. Supports TCR mission and objectives. Work is performed under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment and action.  

Essential Job Functions:     Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. (40%) Participates in managing, overseeing, and coordinating quality assurance activities within the TCR. Provides highly complex consultative, managerial, and technical direction in formulating standards and techniques for evaluating the quality of cancer registry follow back and data linkages. Participates in coordinating, monitoring, and providing guidance to central and regional staff in the development, implementation, and evaluation of new quality assurance methods and procedures relative to registry operations and quality control standards associated with the TCR reporting system. Provides consultative and highly technical direction in analyzing registry data via the use of edit based software and duplicate checks procedures to insure quality assurance standards are met. Prepares reports of the findings and makes recommendations for improvements and efficiencies. Monitors studies and analyses of registry operations and prepares detailed, comprehensive reports of findings. 
(35%) Coordinates and oversees analysis of quality assurance and consolidation procedures for improvement or initiation of new national requirements. Manages, coordinates, and participates in analyzing TCR operations impacting follow up and data quality and suggests and evaluates recommendations for changes in TCR policies, procedures, or program guidelines for quality assurance improvement. Provides guidance to central and regional staff in the development and integration of new methods and procedures. Serves as an expert resource in cancer registry activities related to quality assurance and record consolidation and works with other TCR staff to resolve identified technical issues. Participates in evaluating changes in national quality assurance follow up and data linkage processes and procedures and assures that TCR processes, procedures, etc. are modified as needed. Participates in and coordinates TCR quality assurance and follow-up activities. Assists in and oversees the development of quality assurance policy and procedure manuals and cancer reporting manuals. 
(15%) Participates in providing the Epidemiology and Quality Assurance Managers with proposed work plans by team members dealing with data linkages and follow-up activities. Coordinates and participates in monitoring progress of the approved work plans and updates the Quality Assurance Manager on project status. Working with the Quality Assurance Manager and Epidemiology Group, directs and conducts specialized cancer research projects and evaluates relevant research findings. Coordinates the cooperative use of cancer data and works with cancer reporter in the use and analysis of cancer data 
(5%) Assists Quality Assurance Manager in selection and training of new staff to include screening application, serving on interview panels, and providing relevant program area orientation and training. Provides Quality Assurance Manager feedback on staff performance and workload. 
(5%) Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include, but are not limited to, actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. 
 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:     Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) OR Oncology Data Specialist Certified   
 

Knowledge Skills Abilities:     Knowledge of data utilization, data collection, data retrieval and data quality assurance procedures. 
Knowledge of multiple versions of International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O) coding schemes (ICD-O-2 and ICD-O-3), oncology; anatomy; medical terminology; data collection and retrieval procedures and cancer registry edit criteria. 
Knowledge of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 and 10). 
Technical knowledge of cancer registration, including knowledge of multiple SEER, ACoS, and NAACCR guidelines and standards; and of multiple versions and multiple disease staging and treatment scheme criteria of NAACCR record and inter-record edits. 
Knowledge of cancer consolidation processes. 
Knowledge of maintaining confidential medical information and documentation. 
Skill in analyzing and interpreting coded data. 
Skill in identifying, researching, and solving technical data problems using a wide variety of technical resources and media. 
Skill in the use of personal computers and software applications including MS Office Suite and tumor registry software. 
Skill in Quality Assurance improvement processes and methodologies. 
Ability to identify and appropriately apply correct cancer coding standards and guidelines to relevant cases resulting in Quality Assurance improvements. 
Ability to explain highly technical data coding information to others. 
Ability to handle multiple assignments/projects with varying deadlines. 
Ability to plan, organize, manage and lead the work of others. 
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and internal and external customers. 
Ability to work effectively in a team setting. 
Ability to communicate effectively. 
Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and in making recommendations for efficiency and quality assurance improvements. 
Ability to learn and effectively apply new procedures and techniques. 

Initial Screening Criteria:    
Experience with medical terminology required.
Experience working in a Cancer Registry preferred.

Additional Information:     Applicant will be required to complete a skills assessment exercise at the conclusion of the oral interview. Prior to beginning employment, employees/applicants who indicate they 
hold a degree from an institution of higher education must provide an original college transcript indicating they earned a bachelor’s degree or associate degree from a U.S.  college or university or foreign degree determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator. HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. I-9 Form. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. 

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form