Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency: MRT (Cancer Registrar) candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Education and Experience: Experience- One year of experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of the health record
• Six months of the required one year of experience must have provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform MRT work
• OR Education- Two years above high school with a minimum of 12 semester hours directly related to MRT work (e.g
• courses in medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and introduction to health records)
• OR Experience/Education Combination- Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying
• The following educational/training substitutions are appropriate for combining education and experience: Six months of experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of the health record and one year above high school with a minimum of six semester hours of health information technology courses
• Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision
• Training may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to six months of experience, provided the training program included courses in anatomy, physiology, and medical record techniques and procedures
• The position requires six additional months of experience that indicates knowledge of medical terminology and general understanding of the health record
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• GS-08 Determinations: Experience: In addition to the basic requirements of this position, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) is required
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate [all of] the following KSAs: Knowledge of professional registry operations
• Knowledge of medical terminology, staging of cancer, and requirements of internal and external approving organizations
• Knowledge of the cancer committee processes and procedures to improve patient care and verify compliance with ACoS and/or facility standards
• Ability to serve as a subject matter expert on cancer programs for the medical center
• Skill in utilizing electronic health records and cancer registry software
• Preferred Experience: Certification at this grade level is preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.