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Patient Abstractor Jobs in Nebraska (NOW HIRING)

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Patient Abstractor information

What is a patient abstractor?

Patient Abstractors are healthcare professionals who review medical records and extract key data for research, quality improvement, billing, or regulatory purposes. They analyze patient charts to collect specific information such as diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with established guidelines. Their work supports data-driven decision-making in healthcare organizations and helps maintain high standards of patient care.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a patient abstractor?

To thrive as a Patient Abstractor, you need strong attention to detail, knowledge of medical terminology, and experience with medical records, typically supported by a healthcare-related degree or certification. Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems, clinical coding (such as ICD-10 or CPT), and data abstraction software is essential. Excellent organizational skills, analytical thinking, and effective communication help you efficiently extract and report accurate patient data. These skills and qualities ensure the integrity of clinical data, support healthcare quality initiatives, and contribute to compliance with regulatory requirements.

What challenges do patient abstractors face when reviewing medical records, and how can they overcome them?

Patient Abstractors often encounter challenges such as incomplete or inconsistent medical records, varying documentation styles across providers, and tight deadlines for data abstraction. To overcome these challenges, it's important to develop strong attention to detail, maintain open communication with clinical staff for clarifications, and stay current with abstraction guidelines and best practices. Utilizing electronic health record (EHR) systems efficiently and participating in regular training sessions can also help abstractors improve accuracy and productivity.

What is the difference between Patient Abstractor vs Medical Records Technician?

AspectPatient AbstractorMedical Records Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certificationHigh school diploma or equivalent; certification preferred
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, insurance companiesHospitals, healthcare facilities, clinics
Job FocusExtracting and summarizing patient data for billing and researchOrganizing, coding, and maintaining patient health records
Common UsageHealthcare data collection, billing, researchMedical record management, coding, compliance

The Patient Abstractor and Medical Records Technician roles share similarities in work environment and required credentials. However, Patient Abstractors primarily focus on extracting patient data for billing and research purposes, while Medical Records Technicians concentrate on organizing and coding health records for compliance and documentation. Both roles are essential in healthcare data management but serve different functions within the industry.

How do I become a patient abstractor?

To become a patient abstractor, typically you need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with strong attention to detail and knowledge of medical terminology. Many employers prefer candidates with experience in healthcare, coding, or medical records, and some roles may require certification such as the Certified Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS) or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS). Training is often provided on the job, and proficiency with electronic health record (EHR) systems is beneficial.
Patient Abstractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Patient Abstractor job openings in Nebraska as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Tumor Abstractor - Certified - Radiation Oncology - Full Time - Days

Fremont, NE • On-site

Methodist Health System
See more jobs at Methodist Health Systemexternal

$192.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Prepares abstract for each cancer diagnosis according to procedure guidelines to meet ACOs and state regulations.

  • Enters accurate patient information into the Tumor Registry database and assigns appropriate ICD-O coding.

  • Participates in tumor board conferences, records treatment information, and assists with case finding activities.

Job description

Why work for Nebraska Methodist Health System?
At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care - a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It's helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient's needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued! Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.

Job Summary:

Location: Methodist Fremont Health
Address: 450 E 23rd St. - Fremont, NE
Work Schedule: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Prepares abstract according to procedure guidelines to meet Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and state regulations and collects and enters information on patient diagnosed with cancer.

Responsibilities:

Essential Job Functions

1. Assures that an abstract is completed for each cancer diagnosis.

  • Prepares abstract on each newly diagnosed cancer patient according to procedure guidelines to meet Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and state regulations.
  • Performs follow up abstracting to obtain missing information.
  • Reports information for Survivorship.

2. Enters accurate information into the Tumor Registry database.

  • Collects and enters information on patients diagnosed with cancer.

3. Assigns appropriate coding to each patient abstract.

  • Uses ICD-O coding principles accurately.

4. Accurate application of Standards for Oncology Registry (STORES) information.

  • Uses STORES manual accurately for abstracting.

5. Meets abstracting standards per Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and Tumor Registry Dept.

  • 90% of cases are abstracted within3 months of date of first contact Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).
  • On an average it takes 1.6 hours to complete an abstract (TR Dept) - include audit from State.
  • 98% Compliance with errors.

6. Involvement with Tumor Board conferences and case finding activities.

  • Accurately records treatment information discussed at conferences.
  • Assists with case finding activities.

Schedule:

Mon. - Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Job Description:

Job Requirements

Education

  • Associate's Degree in Health Information Management or a health care related field or equivalent years of experience required.
  • Equivalent credit hours in higher education including college level courses in Anatomy/Physiology and Medical Terminology considered.


Experience

  • Minimum of 1-3 years tumor registry related experience or 1-3 years experience within a health related field required.


License/Certifications

  • Oncology Data Specialist - Certified (ODS.C) required.


Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

  • Ability to read/interpret medical records and understand medical terminology.
  • Detail oriented with strong organizational, verbal, interpersonal and computer skills.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Knowledge of Tumor Registry, cancer diagnoses, and American College of Surgeons (ACoS) regulations.
  • Ability to process and manage confidential information with discretion and according to HIPAA protocols.
Physical Requirements

Weight Demands

  • Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force


Physical Activity

  • Not necessary for the position (0%):
    • Climbing
    • Crawling
    • Kneeling
  • Occasionally Performed (1%-33%):
    • Balancing
    • Carrying
    • Crouching
    • Distinguish colors
    • Lifting
    • Pulling/Pushing
    • Standing
    • Stooping/bending
    • Twisting
    • Walking
  • Frequently Performed (34%-66%):
    • Reaching
    • Speaking/talking
  • Constantly Performed (67%-100%):
    • Grasping
    • Hearing
    • Keyboarding/typing
    • Repetitive Motions
    • Seeing/visual
    • Sitting


Job Hazards

  • Not Related:
    • Biological agents (primary air born & blood borne viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) (BBF)
    • Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment)
    • Equipment/Machinery/Tools
    • Explosives (pressurized gas)
    • Electrical Shock/Static
    • Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-Ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc)
    • Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means) Mechanical moving parts/vibrations
  • Rare (1%-33%):
    • Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex)

About Methodist:

Nebraska Methodist Health System is made up of four hospitals in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, more than 30 clinic locations, a nursing and allied health college, and a medical supply distributorship and central laundry facility. From the day Methodist Hospital was chartered in 1891, service to our communities has been a top priority. Financial assistance, health education, outreach to our diverse communities and populations, and other community benefit activities have always been central to our mission.


Nebraska Methodist Health System is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by Federal, state or local law.

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