Summary

Under supervision, 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. Participates in routine quality control and quality assurance activities to ensure accuracy and completeness of registry data. This position requires travel in New Mexico and Arizona.

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 including, but not limited to patient demographic characteristics, diagnostic procedures, type of cancer, primary anatomic 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 by the New Mexico Tumor Registry, the National Cancer Institute, the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and other standard setters.
7. Assists investigators in the collection, interpretation, and utilization of central cancer registry data for the purposes of scientific research.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Participates in all training sessions conducted by the New Mexico Tumor Registry staff, as well as continuing education sessions provided by the Tumor Registrars Association of New Mexico, the NCI/SEER Program, the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, and other resources.
11. Performs duties and assignments that are required to prepare computer files for required data submissions.
12. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; at least 2 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
• Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) OR Registered Health Information Technology (RHIT) OR Associates degree in any field with two college level semesters of Human Anatomy and/or Physiology.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Ability to understand, analyze and interpret medical/forensic information and terminology.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Knowledge of medical data collection codes.
• Ability to verify data input and correct errors.
• Strong 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.

Conditions of Employment

• Must successfully obtain National Cancer Registrar's Association (NCRA) national certification as a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) within the first three (3) years of employment.
• Must have a valid New Mexico Driver's license.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.
• All regular, non-temporary positions assigned to this classification are represented by a labor union and subject to the terms and conditions of the CWA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• No or very limited physical effort required.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• 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: 05/04/2021