Program Specialist II - ODS/ODS-eligible

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Program Specialist II - ODS/ODS-eligible 
Job Title: Program Specialist II 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Cancer Epidemiology & Surveill 
Posting Number: 19210 
Closing Date: 08/12/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 
Salary Range: $3,793.41 - $4,857.33 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DHT) 
Other Locations: Arlington; Houston 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Job Description:

Under the supervision of the Quality Assurance Manager, Under the supervision of the Quality Assurance Manager, Performs highly complex technical work in the planning, monitoring and implementing of the quality assurance and record consolidation operations and cancer registration guidelines in the Texas Cancer Registry (TCR), Cancer Epidemiology and Surveillance (CES) Branch.   Work involves providing consultative and technical direction to the quality assurance and Registry Operations staff within the CES and performing necessary coordination with other programs in the CES, Department, federal agencies, other state agencies, local communities, and others, relating to the cancer registry. Performs record consolidation, resolves data quality discrepancies, resolved duplicates and assists with special data quality projects.   Works under limited  supervision from the  Quality Assurance (QA) Manager and Lead with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.   Oversees the updates and revisions to the record consolidation and TCR policy and procedures.

Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Assists Quality Assurance Manager and QA Lead in coordinating and monitoring record consolidation. Helps consolidation staff in resolving consolidation discrepancies. Reviews and updates consolidation policy and procedures.

Perfoms cancer record consolidation. Uses highly technical knowledge in resolving consolidation discrepancies and edit errors.

Assists monitoring and identifying national coding guideline changes. Duties include visual review of analytic records; identifying trends in aberrant data; monitor changes in SEER, ACoS and NAACCR manuals. Casefinding, abstracting and deduplication. 

Monitors and summarizes weekly activity reports. Assists in reviewing QA staff work.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligation for disaster response and or Continuity of Operations Activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of cancer registration techniques and uses of cancer data.

Knowledge of cancer control laws, rules, regulations, policy guidelines, practices, and recommendations.

Knowledge of multiple versions of ICD-O, SEER, ACoS, NAACCR, and CESB cancer reporting handbook's cancer registration standards, coding, staging and treatment guidelines and schemas. 

Knowledge of oncology; anatomy; medical terminology; data collection and retrieval procedures and cancer registry edit criteria.

Knowledge of maintaining confidential medical records and documentation.

Knowledge of cancer record consolidation national and TCR guidelines.

Skill in planning, organizing, developing, implementing and managing multiple projects/activities.

Skill in identifying, researching, and solving data problems.

Skill in using personal computers and software packages including Word, Excel, and Cancer Registry software.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) OR

Oncology Data Specialist eligible - At least 60 credit hours from an accredited education entity which includes 2 semesters of anatomy and physiology OR completion of a Cancer Data Management program approved by the National Cancer Registrar's Association.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience with medical terminology required.

Experience working in a Cancer Registry preferred.

Additional Information:

Applicant will be required to complete a skills assessment exercise at the conclusion of the oral interview. 

Prior to beginning employment, employees/applicants who indicate they hold a degree from an institution of higher education must provide an original college transcript indicating they earned a degree from a U.S. college or university, or foreign degree determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator.

Employee must provide transportation. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of their official duties, the employee must possess a current valid Texas Driver License for the appropriate type vehicle.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form