At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Oncology Data Specialist I reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

• The Oncology Data Specialist is a data information specialist who performs medical record review and captures a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every cancer patient in the Northwestern Medicine Healthcare Corporation system. The Oncology Data Specialist also assists in maintaining cancer program accreditation requirements through the American College of Surgeons, Commission on Cancer. Registry data provides essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs. The Oncology Data Specialist proactively raises quality of care and quality of documentation issues to the appropriate committees, nurse, and physician managers.
• Oncology Data Specialist I position is a trained Oncology Data Specialist professional who has completed a recognized formal training or education program and is working towards the Oncology Data Specialist certification.

Responsibilities:

• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with physicians and staff at all levels of seniority to define and achieve common aims.
• Ensure complete, accurate and timely data abstraction for all NM reportable cancer cases.
  • Review all case finding resources to identify reportable cases and enter cases into suspense, such as ICD-10 disease indices, path reports, cytology reports, autopsy reports, dermatology office reports, ambulatory surgery reports, as relevant to their assigned facilities. Oncology Data Specialist I have achieved basic casefinding proficiency.
  • Abstract information from patients' electronic and/or manual medical records according to the Commission on Cancer standards. Oncology Data Specialist I have achieved basic abstracting proficiency on the top five cancer sites. 
  • Consult with physicians, physician offices, and outside facilities to obtain incomplete information or clarify discrepant documentation.
  • Update first course and subsequent treatment information as needed.
  • Assists with maintaining the requisite follow up rate on eligible cases per ACoS standards, utilizing follow up letters, physician contact, and outside facility contacts.
  • Update cancer status, progression/recurrence, and cause of death to provide accurate survival information.
  • Meet productivity reporting and quality standards.
  • Enter information into facility's database to prepare case for submission to Illinois Cancer Registry and National Cancer Database in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Stay abreast of changes made by regulatory organizations and accrediting bodies to maintain compliance. 
• Utilize developed skills to provide cross coverage in daily department activities as needed to ensure smooth workflow among individuals and as a team; familiar with registry software basic reports functions.
• Identify improvement opportunities and forward to appropriate staff and be an active participant in registry meetings.
• Completes other duties assigned by manager.

Required:

• Completed recognized Oncology Data Specialist training or education program
• Eligible for Oncology Data Specialist certification exam
• Minimum of 1 year of Cancer Registry experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software fundamentals (NM Level 1 Excel/Word or similar or commensurate skills)
• Uses concise and effective written and oral communication
• Comfort and understanding with extra-registry communication

Preferred:

• 1+ years of Oncology Data Specialist experience
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Health Information Technology Management or similar, or commensurate skills and work experience
• Experience with Epic, Mosaiq and Registry software

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.