Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Social Research Specialist II (S)

Position Number

60041458

Grade

NC15

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Quality Management Specialist/ODS-C position serves as a Certified Oncology Data Specialist responsible for ensuring the quality, completeness, and timeliness of cancer data reported to the Central Cancer Registry.

This role supports statewide cancer surveillance by reviewing, consolidating, and validating data submitted by hospitals and other reporting sources in accordance with state, national, and federal standards. Work includes conducting quality control audits, performing case-finding activities, and applying complex coding and abstracting rules to maintain data accuracy and integrity.

The Quality Management Specialist/ODS-C position provides technical guidance, training, and consultative support to data reporters and Registry staff on data quality and reporting requirements. The employee functions with substantial independence and contributes to program effectiveness through problem resolution and continuous quality improvement activities.

Key Duties Include:
- Ensuring the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of cancer data submitted to the Central Cancer Registry.
- Conducting case consolidation and visual editing of reported cancer cases to maintain data integrity.
- Designing and running database queries to identify discrepancies, errors, and reporting gaps.
- Performing case-finding and quality control audits to evaluate compliance with reporting standards.
- Applying complex cancer abstracting and coding rules to validate intricate medical and diagnostic information.
- Providing training, mentoring, and technical guidance to data reporters and Registry staff on data standards, reporting requirements, and quality issues.
- Researching regulatory guidance, coding rules, and technical questions to develop accurate responses and solutions.
- Preparing written reports summarizing audit findings, recurring data quality issues, and recommended corrective actions.
- Coordinating quality control activities and identifying opportunities to improve data collection processes and reporting compliance.
- Collaborating with team members to support registry operations and ensure consistent application of data management and quality assurance procedures.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $55,221.00 - $96,639.00

Recruitment Range: $55,221.00 - $64,570.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

Experience using CCR registry tools (e.g., RegPlus) to visually edit, link, and consolidate cancer cases; resolves duplicate or conflicting records and documents outcomes for quality assurance.
Advanced experience designing and executing case-finding and re-coding audits; defines sampling plans, calculates error rates, and delivers audit summaries with corrective action recommendations to improve data completeness and accuracy.
Documented experience applying complex cancer abstracting and coding rules aligned with state, national, and federal reporting standards; validates intricate medical and diagnostic data elements for consistency and compliance.
Demonstrated track record building and running targeted database queries to detect discrepancies, missing fields, and reporting delinquencies; trends findings over time and flags high-risk sources for follow-up.
Professional experience developing and delivering training, mentoring, and technical guidance to hospital data reporters and Registry staff on data standards, quality control procedures, and difficult case abstracting; produces job aids and written responses to recurring issues.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

This Position Is Possible for a Remote Work Option

About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH):
The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About the State Center for Health Statistics (SCHS):
The North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics is a part of the Division of Public Health and is responsible for data collection, health-related research, and production of reports and maintenance of a comprehensive collection of health statistics. We provide high quality health information to ensure more informed decision-making and effective health policies. Our goal is to improve the health of all North Carolinians and their communities.

About the NC Central Cancer Registry:

The North Carolina Central Cancer Registry (CCR) is a population-based reporting system that serves as the sole repository of complete cancer incidence data for the State of North Carolina. The CCR collects, processes and analyzes data on all cancer cases diagnosed among North Carolina residents. This information furthers our understanding of cancer and is used to develop strategies and policies for its prevention, treatment, and control. The CCR is recognized as one of the leading cancer registries in the U.S. and has been the cornerstone of a substantial amount of research on cancer in the North Carolina population.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS:  https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved.  We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.
If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted.  Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.
Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 
Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION 

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the field assigned to the position from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of related experience

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Tresha Walker

Email:

talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site