Publ Hlth and Prevent Spcl III - 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: Publ Hlth and Prevent Spcl III - ODS/ODS-eligible 
Job Title: Publ Hlth and Prevent Spcl III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Cancer Epidemiology & Surveill 
Posting Number: 10210 
Closing Date: 02/26/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18 
Salary Range: $3,793.41 - $4,857.33 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 15% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: ARLINGTON 
Job Location Address: 1301 S BOWEN RD STE 200 
Other Locations: Houston; Austin 
MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,4B0X1,4E0X1,60C,68S,68Z,HM,HS,MED,NAP11,SEI12 
 
 
 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under the supervision of the Registry Operations Manager and direction from the Lead, performs moderately complex professional, administrative, technical, consultative and lead worker public health work.  Represents the Cancer Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch (CESB), Texas Cancer Registry (TCR) in contact with reporting institutions, federal, state, or local agencies and groups and/or individuals interested in cancer registration and control. Performs technical functions in quality control review and analysis to ensure reliability, completeness, consistency, and comparability of cancer registry data. Work performed is case finding, abstracting, data quality audits, resolve edits and linkage and follow back activities.  Educates and interacts with medical providers to ensure complete, timely and accurate cancer data.  Work is performed under general supervision with moderate latitude for use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

(35%) Coordinates and implements regional casefinding follow back projects and re-abstracting data quality studies. Duties include the identification of all reportable cases from reporting facilities by assessing completeness by verifying data submission versus actual data received using CESB and multiple versions of American College of Surgeons (ACoS) and North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) cancer registration guidelines and standards. Assesses the quality of data from reporting institutions. Identifies additional sources for cancer data, including the collection of data for program evaluation. Functions as technical resource and develops and presents educational materials for hospital casefinding procedures. Makes recommendations to correct and/or improve casefinding procedures. Reports casefinding and re-abstracting study results to the Lead and Manager for use in developing standards for the collection of cancer incidence data. Summarizes the results of the casefinding and re-abstracting studies by providing written evaluation results and recommendations to facilities where studies are conducted. 

(25%) Reviews and visually edits cancer records using technical knowledge obtained by researching SEER, ACoS, and NAACCR cancer registration guidelines and standards. Reviews cancer reports submitted electronically by ACoS approved tumor registries and medical records submitted by facilities and coded by regional staff for completeness, accuracy of codes and text documentation. Evaluates staff work to improve efficiency and determine program effectiveness in meeting the CESB performance standards. Provides technical assistance feedback to staff on deficiencies and recommends appropriate action. Reports discrepancy trends to the Lead and Manager and contacts reporting facilities regarding data discrepancies by telephone and by written correspondence. 

(20%) Coordinates and conducts casefinding and data collection activities for small cancer caseload facilities. Identifies reportable cancer cases, abstracts relevant information from medical records, codes data and uses the computer for data entry. Monitors data submissions from cancer reporters. Serves as point of contact for facilities. 

(5%) Tests new and updated versions of Registry software applications and edits and provides feedback on changes and/or improvements. 

(5%) Reviews, evaluates, and updates the CESB reporting procedures for Registry Operations. 

(5%) Serves as back-up for Manager and Lead in monitoring the completeness and timeliness of cancer data reporting and updates to the Reporters Plus application. 

(5%) Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

REGISTRATIONS, LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS: 

Oncology Data Specialist certification is preferred

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES:

List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to performance in this position: 

Technical knowledge of cancer registration techniques and uses of cancer data.
Technical knowledge of cancer control laws, rules, regulations, policy guidelines, practices, and recommendations.
Knowledge of multiple versions of ICD-O, ICD-9 & 10, SEER, ACoS, NAACCR, and CESB cancer reporting handbook's cancer registration guidelines and standards. Knowledge of oncology, anatomy, medical terminology, data collection and retrieval procedures and cancer registry edit criteria.
Knowledge of data collection.
Knowledge of maintaining confidential medical records and documentation.
Knowledge of database management.
Knowledge of cancer or other disease registries or reporting systems.

Skill in using personal computers and software packages (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CESB Cancer Registry Software)
Skill in problem solving and interacting with cancer reporting institutions.
Skill in retrieving data from spreadsheets and databases. Skill in analyzing and summarizing data.
Skill in planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and managing multiple projects/activities.

Ability to monitor and identify data discrepancies and make suggestions for improvement.
Ability to conduct detailed work accurately.
Ability to monitor and identify problems in coding and case ascertainment. Ability to read and interpret laws, policies and procedures governing cancer reporting.
Ability to clearly express ideas and disseminate information and effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
Ability to work independently and within a team structure.
Ability to communicate diplomatically with customers.
Ability to handle multiple assignments/projects with varying deadlines.
Ability to analyze and interpret coded data.

INITIAL SCREENING CRITERIA:

Successful completion of any associate degree or the equivalent (60 college credits) 

Oncology Data Specialist certification is generally preferred.

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