Program Specialist II-ODS/ODS-eligible

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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: 20622

Closing Date: 09/10/2026

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: 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: HOUSTON

Job Location Address: 5425 POLK ST

Other Locations: Arlington; Austin

MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under the supervision of the Registry Operations Manager and direction of the Lead, performs moderately complex professional, administrative, technical, consultative, and public health work. Represents the Cancer Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch (CESB) and the Texas Cancer Registry (TCR) in communications with reporting institutions; federal, state, and local agencies; and individuals or groups interested in cancer registration and control. Performs technical quality control review and analysis to ensure the reliability, completeness, consistency, and comparability of cancer registry data. Work includes casefinding, abstracting, data quality audits, edit resolution, linkage, and follow-back activities. Educates and collaborates with medical providers to support complete, timely, and accurate cancer data reporting. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for 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 agencys 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 or Oncology Data Specialist eligible

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 handbooks 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:

Required: Either Oncology Data Specialist certification OR

Oncology Data Specialist eligible - Successful completion of any associate degree or the equivalent (60 college credits) AND coursework includes two semesters (six total credit hours) in Human Anatomy and Human Physiology OR the completion of a Cancer Data Management program approved by the National Cancer Registrars Association.

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