Oncology Data Specialist

Requisition ID

2025-3847

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.

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods, use a computer keyboard and mouse, and communicate verbally and in writing. The employee may occasionally need to stand, walk, bend, or lift up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.