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 Business joint venture between Artemis ARC and Aptive Resources, 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.
Originally posted on Himalayas
Who can apply
Eligible countries: United States. Accepted UTC offsets: UTC-10, UTC-9, UTC-8, UTC-7, UTC-6, UTC-5, UTC+14. Review the full description for employer-specific work authorization, residency and schedule requirements.