Summary

Under limited supervision, the Central Registry Tumor Registrar systematically reviews medical records and other sources of information to identify new cancer cases and documents data items relevant to each patient's cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. Conducts routine quality control and quality assurance activities to ensure accuracy and completeness of registry data. This position requires routine travel in New Mexico and Arizona, and may require occasional travel to participate in regional or national meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Identifies and documents all cases of cancer diagnosed among residents of the central cancer registry's area of coverage from well-established sources of information including, but not limited to, hospitals, clinics, physician offices, pathology laboratories, radiology facilities, and vital record repositories.
2. Completes a standard abstract of data items for each cancer case that includes, but is not limited to, patient demographic characteristics, diagnostic procedures, type and primary site of cancer, history and extent of disease, cancer-directed therapy, care providers based on systematic review of medical records, laboratory reports, vital records, and other data sources in accordance with prevailing standards established by recognized standard setters.
3. Systematically conducts "follow-up" of all cancer cases in the registry by documenting each patient's vital status and date of last information based on information contained in medical records, vital records, and other sources of information available to the registry.
4. Serves as a liaison between the New Mexico Tumor Registry and assigned reporting facilities within the registry's area of coverage, requesting and obtaining access to medical records and other relevant data sources at each facility, scheduling working visits at each facility, and traveling to each facility to conduct on-site case-finding, data collection, follow-up and quality control activities.
5. Acquires and maintains working knowledge of SEER*ABS, the registry's primary data collection tool, as well as cancer registry/medical records software at each assigned reporting facility, in order to conduct routine case-finding, data collection, follow-up and quality control activities.
6. Conducts routine and ad hoc quality control and quality assurance activities as required.
7. Systematically edits records in the central registry database and consolidates information from multiple records into a single record that best represents the experience of a cancer patient.
8. Assists investigators in the collection, interpretation, and utilization of central cancer registry data for the purposes of scientific research.
9. Assists hospital-based cancer registrars, health care providers and administrators in the collection, interpretation, and utilization of central cancer registry data to address health care and administrative needs.
10. Routinely contributes to the development and maintenance of registry-wide resources including, but not limited to, a computerized database of all health care facilities in the registry's area of coverage and computerized database of all physicians who provide care to cancer patients within the registry's area of coverage.
11. Serves as a mentor to Central Registry Medical Abstractors, develops and maintains educational materials and conducts training sessions for central registry staff members, and actively participates in continuing education sessions.
12. Performs duties and assignments that are required to prepare computer files for required data submissions.
13. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Successful completion of at least 60 college-level credit hours; no experience required. Certification/Licensure: National Cancer Registrars Association, Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Ability to develop and follow research methodology and protocol.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Ability to understand, analyze and interpret medical/forensic information and terminology.
• Knowledge of medical data collection codes.
• Ability to lead and train staff and/or students.
• Ability to verify data input and correct errors.
• Basic data entry and/or word processing skills.
• Knowledge of patient care charts and patient histories.
• Ability to travel extensively by car to various outreach locations.
• Knowledge of data collection techniques.
• Ability to travel one week per month.

Conditions of Employment

• In-state and out-of-state travel required.
• Must have a valid New Mexico Driver's license.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Light physical effort. May involve lifting, handling, pushing, or moving items up to 10 lbs. Standing/walking may occur for short periods of time.
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

The University of New Mexico provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.

Revised Date: 01/13/2021