Clinical Research Data Abstractor

Cancer Program Clinical Data Abstraction

• Under minimal supervision, is responsible for collecting clinical research data supporting multiple pan-cancer projects within the Murtha Cancer Center Research Program, including pathology, treatment, and outcomes data.
• Perform electronic medical record retrieval from DoD Electronic Health Record systems for collecting clinical data. De-identifies data to strip protected health information per IRB approved protocols.
• Responsible for the abstraction/entry of demographics, pathologic, treatment, outcome, and clinical assessment data into research Data Tracking System (DTS) case report forms (CRFs), ensuring data is timely, comprehensive, consistent, and accurate.
• Completes all data input, error report analysis and correction, resolution of errors related to data entry, and data submission. Maintains meticulous records and provides appropriate correspondence with the clinical research team.
• Ensures the integrity and accuracy of the information collected and entered into the data tracking system.
• Identifies opportunities and contributes to developing and implementing data standards and SOPs for performance improvement. Identify potential problems affecting the data collection process and maintain a follow-up of problem resolution with the team and manager.
• Learns and understands diverse databases, projects, and clinical terminology.
• Collaborating with internal and external research team members serves as a resource for the bioinformatics and technical team in developing, identifying, and implementing solutions to data management issues/concerns.
• Maintains clinical quality measurement knowledge through self-development and keeps current on all specification changes relevant to assigned project(s).
• Acts as an expert and resource to professional staff and provides education to other team members as needed.

Data Quality Control/Management

• Perform regular self-quality control on abstracted data before submission for review.
• Participates in local or national cancer-related educational activities and webinars per ACS-CoC standards. Manages workflow to meet production levels and avoid backlogs.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Standards for Oncology Registry Entry (STORE), International Classification of Diseases (ICD-0 and ICD-10), Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) staging, and American Joint Committee on Cancer Tumor Nodes Metastasis (AJCC TNM) staging.
• Knowledge of specialized principles and practices related to cancer data management used to test and make recommendations for improving the data tracking systems. Knowledge of the principles and mechanics of quality assurance and the medical audit as they relate to cancer and the governmental regulations necessitating such programs.
• Knowledge of administration and management techniques, to include current trends in health care delivery; the role of the coordinator in the cancer management system; ethics and confidentiality of cancer data; professional communications, oral and written, and the role of the professional associations in the promotion of the cancer data systems.
• Knowledge of systematic cancer data system, requirements of the HIPAA and the Privacy and Freedom of Information Acts, and agency policies regarding the release of information.
• Knowledge of cancer, the disease, and its management, to encompass the definition, etiology, and treatment, differences between benign and malignant disease, grading differentiation, specific diagnosis and treatment for each type of malignant disease and the spread of malignant disease.
• Strong Clinical background and experience working with Electronic Medical Records.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, pathology, physiology, and a practical knowledge of medical procedures and diagnoses. Working knowledge of statistics to assess patient workload and establish quality control and assessment.
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical generic/trade names.
• Familiarity with chemotherapy drugs as well as chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens.
• Knowledge of mechanics of a cancer data system in order to establish and maintain a research-based data collection system, follow- up, end-results reporting and research system with emphasis on the mechanics of cancer data activities, data sets, coding schemes, follow-up, report preparation, end-results reporting and special studies; ability to organize, coordinate and apply established principles, concepts and techniques of the total cancer data system.

 Education and Experience 

• Bachelor's degree required.
• A minimum of 3-5 years experience required in data management and abstraction. 

Preferred Licenses and Certifications

• Current certification as a Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) preferred or relevant experience in cancer data abstraction, medical records review, pathology or oncology.