Oncology Data Specialist

Full Job Description

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.

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