Head Medical Records Technician

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking diverse individuals with cancer surveillance backgrounds to apply for our Head Medical Records Technician positions within the Connecticut Tumor Registry program. These positions will make a direct impact on improving the lives of Connecticut citizens.

Employment at DPH offers free parking with shuttle service, educational support, and continuous access to training from national standard setters, including NCI-SEER and NAACCR. We invite you to join us in advancing your career and collaborating with us in providing the highest quality cancer surveillance data for planning and research.

As a Head Medical Records Technician within the Connecticut Tumor Registry program, you 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, including participation in NCI Quality Improvement Experts projects, special studies, and mentoring both CTR staff and hospital registrars. Responsibilities will include case-finding, abstracting, case consolidation, editing, reporting, consulting, and other related duties.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has permanent state status* and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period. For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sue Ciccaglione at sue.ciccaglione@ct.gov or (860) 509-7183.

In the Tumor Registry Section of the Department of Public Health, this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor for Medical Record Technicians in classifying and coding medical data.

Coordinates office workflow; determines priorities; assigns and reviews work; establishes and maintains office procedures; provides staff training and assistance; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; maintains or oversees the maintenance of office records and logs; acts as a liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; prepares and conducts periodic coding conferences for medical records technicians; interfaces with pathologists and physicians to resolve ambiguities or difficulties in interpreting coding rules; assists in revision of forms and procedures and medical coding instructions; may prepare statistical compilations; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of medical terminology and gross human anatomy relating to cancer; considerable knowledge of standard cancer diagnostic techniques and modes of therapy such as radiation, chemotherapy, etc.; considerable knowledge of coding principles and techniques used in the Connecticut Tumor Registry and National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results SEER Program; knowledge of hospital medical records and medical record library procedures; basic knowledge of data processing techniques; basic knowledge of statistical theory; interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to lead other employees.

Five (5) years' clerical experience in categorizing, cataloging, and assembling data for statistical reporting purposes.

Three (3) 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 six (6) months of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.

• Experience with all technical aspects of SEER central cancer registry activities including casefinding audits, case reconciliation and consolidation, visual editing, death clearance, remote abstracting, and facility follow-back procedures;

• Experience with quality assurance and quality improvement, including participation in both SEER-led Quality Improvement Experts (QIE) projects and local quality assurance projects; this should include identification of potential quality aberrations, increasing efficiencies, and the evaluation of project results;

• Experience or training in cancer-related diseases, including etiology, pathology, symptoms, signs, diagnostic studies, treatment modalities and prognoses, medical terminology, basic anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, and related coding and staging systems; including experience independently locating, compiling, and analyzing information, data, and/or facts from specialized sources;

• Experience supervising, training and/or mentoring cancer registrars in registry technical operations, including casefinding, multiple primaries and complex histologies, staging, and treatment, both within the CTR and as a resource for hospital registrars; this includes allocating and monitoring workflow, providing direction, identifying resources, and providing written documentation as indicated;

• Professional credentialing as either a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR), Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)/Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS); or eligible for credentialing.

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel within the State in the course of their daily work and may be required to attend special courses which may require out-of-state travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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.