Medical Records Technician 2

The Department of Public Health's Connecticut Tumor Registry program is recruiting for two Medical Records Technician 2 positions. The positions will be accountable for performing a full range of cancer registry data collection and quality assurance functions in order to ensure a complete and detailed cancer database. Responsibilities will include casefinding, abstracting, case consolidation, editing, reporting, and other related duties.

In the Department of Public Health, Tumor Registry section, this class is accountable for performing as a specialist by acting as either a field representative or liaison to all hospitals reporting cancer cases in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, or a quality control review technician for medical coding and maintenance of the master tumor and follow-up magnetic tape files.

Assists in problem solving and training of lower level Medical Record Technicians; assists in coding (or codes) more difficult cases involving classification of cancer data; periodically reviews autopsy reports at Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in order to verify all cancer related deaths; performs related duties as required.

Field Representative: Acts as liaison between Connecticut Tumor Registry and reporting hospitals: abstracts complete tumor records at federal and state government and veterans' hospitals in Connecticut as well as participating hospitals in Rhode Island and Massachusetts; ascertains correct primary sites and cancer morphology from hospital pathology reports; investigates all inquiries submitted by Tumor Registry coders, obtaining missing or clarifying information from report originators through phone calls, correspondence or visits; conducts audits at selected hospitals to ensure all cancer cases have been identified and reported to Tumor Registry; compares pathology reports with hospital cancer incidence report and documents missed cases; reviews hospital records for special studies on cancer; abstracts complete tumor records at certain institutions such as federal and state hospitals; at request of participating hospitals trains medical records personnel in proper abstracting procedures and communicates Tumor Registry informational needs and procedures; assists hospital registries in preparing statistical reports on cancer.

Quality Control Review Technician: Maintains computer quality control procedures, which involves correcting coding errors on code sheets as well as processing changes to master files; participates in special tumor studies which involve more complex medical coding or medical review

Considerable knowledge of medical terminology and gross human anatomy relating to cancer; considerable knowledge of coding principles and techniques used in Connecticut Tumor Registry and National Cancer Institute SEER Group; knowledge of proper use of International Codes of Disease; knowledge of standard procedures for cancer diagnosis and modes of therapy (such as radiation, chemotherapy, etc.); knowledge of hospital medical record and medical record library procedures; oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to prepare and interpret statistical reports.

Four (4) years' clerical experience in categorizing, cataloging, and assembling data for statistical purposes.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the level of a Medical Records Technician 1.

College training in medical secretarial work may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.

• Experience in the performance of a full range of cancer registry program activities, including abstracting, coding, case finding, and staging; experience or training in ICD-O-3, ICD-9, ICD-10, SEER, and AJCC codes, staging, and guidelines;

• Experience or training in the etiology, pathology, symptoms, signs, diagnostic studies, treatment modalities, and prognoses specifically attributable to cancer-related diseases; experience or training should include medical language, nomenclature, and terminology, basic anatomy, pathology, and pharmacology;

• Experience or training with computerized cancer registration standards and methods, using cancer registry software designed for health care facilities and/or central registry use, including registry data base management and the application of data standards set by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program, the American College of Surgeons, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and other agencies concerned with cancer registry practices; and experience with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Suite; Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) or eligible preferred;

• Experience locating, compiling, and analyzing information, data, and/or facts from specialized sources; performance of visual quality control on electronic data files, and identification of missing or incomplete data; experience in follow up with physicians, hospitals, and other resources to obtain and update missing or incomplete data;

• Experience or training interpreting and applying Federal and State reporting requirements and regulations, confidentiality procedures, methodology used to identify cancer cases including cancer registry reporting techniques and requirements; interpreting and following oral and written instructions and exercising initiative and resourcefulness in the development and completion of work projects.

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

The Department of Public Health aims to provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and advancement, fostering an environment committed to supporting individuals in all protected classes.  If you require an aid/accommodation to participate fully and fairly, please contact the Human Resources Office at (860) 509-7177.