Cancer Registrar

ODS utilize quantitative and qualitative decision making to identify all reportable cancer cases as well as to code each case accurately within 6 months of the first contact with a patient. ODS captures a complete summary of the history, diagnosis, treatment and disease status for every cancer patient.

ODS ensure timely, accurate and complete cancer data collection on all types of cancer diagnosed and/or treated within the UAMS system, while adhering to the standards of the American College of Surgeons (ACOS), Commission on Cancer (CoC).

The ODS serves as a data subject matter expert and is responsible for bridging the gap between clinicians and statisticians. The Cancer Registry is a valuable resource for hospital and administrative planning, treatment planning, research and monitoring of patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Abstract comprehensive data set in a timely manner utilizing pathology and radiology reports, treatment records, laboratory values and other pertinent records.
• Documents diagnosis, stage, disease extent, treatment and response.
• Use multiple EMR information sources (Pathology, PT, Radiology reports, etc) to make a final determination for cancer staging of cases not staged by physician.
• Abstracts all primary cancer sites in accordance with multiple primary rules established by the CoC.
• Abstracts patient information into the cancer management database in compliance with government regulations.
• Maintains familiarity with ACoS and Arkansas Department of Health Reportable Lists and identifies qualified cases for inclusion in the Cancer Registry database.
• Research and collect diagnostic and treatment information for each patient from non-hospital sources (skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, etc) and updates abstracts by coding and text.
• Evaluates Multi-disciplinary Tumor Board Conference notes and includes information in abstract.
• Review and sort the coding list provided by HIM to identify potential cancer cases for inclusion in abstraction.
• Identify if a case is a re-occurrence which is to be added to an existing abstract.
• Identify cases which are non-reportable in accordance with Arkansas Central Cancer Registry regulations.
• All cancer cases are followed from initial diagnosis to end of life. Requires annual patient contacts to obtain information including cancer status, ongoing treatment, new cancer, vital status, etc.
• Patients who have expired are verified via obituary or death certificate. HIM is notified of this death to ensure the patient’s record is updated.
• Ensures zero errors prior to data submittal to accrediting bodies.
• Assists with quality control of abstracts by physicians in accordance with CoC standards.
• Coordinates and conducts quality improvement studies as approved by the Cancer Committee in adherence to the American College of Surgeons standards.
• Performs quality control of abstracts using a variety of methods including but not limited to visual review, computer edit checks, audits, data query, re-abstracting and reliability studies.
• Participates in peer review of edit sets based on text vs. coded fields.
• Pulls reports as requested by internal and external requestors for statistical analysis, quality etc.
• Prepares data for National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) according to CoC standards.
• Prepares data for the Arkansas Central Cancer Registry in accordance with state and federal requirements.
• Abstracts data for special cancer studies in collaboration with clinical investigators in a timely manner, including data fields not typical of the comprehensive data set.
• Reports productivity daily and maintains monthly standards.
• Mentors new ODS and participates in ongoing education.
• Maintains ODS accreditation by obtaining 21 CE’s annually.
• Assists in the development and ongoing revision of policies and procedures relative to the cancer registry operations and abstracting.
• Maintains professional activities to remain current with cancer treatment developments, registry operations, and accreditation requirements.
• May perform other duties as assigned.