Title: Violent Death Data Abstractor

State Role Title: Policy Planning Spec I

Hiring Range: $50,000- $55,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER-TDWT

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Violent Death Data Abstractor for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner serves as the surveillance data abstractor located in the Tidewater District of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Norfolk, VA. Conducts data abstraction following established guidelines and performs decedent record review, abstracts information, and performs manual key entry of relevant information in NVDRS system. The Violent Death Data Abstractor participates in Data Quality Committee meetings and quality assurance activities including incident re-abstraction. Works with the Virginia Medical Examiner Data System (VMEDS) and OCME staff to identify cases for NVDRS. Reviews OCME case files and assures record is complete for abstraction. Travel may be required.
Typical Core Duties:
1. Data Management and Analysis
• Collects and enters data for specific program databases.
• Analyzes data to identify discrepancies, missing information, and duplicate entries in databases/reports; links components of merged records to ensure that no data are lost, and that appropriate information is available for analysis.
2. Quality Assurance & Other Duties
• Ensures data integrity and security and performs quality assurance duties.
• Diagnoses data errors in database by running various statistical audit reports, ensures data ad reports are maintained in a secured area and access to database is protected.
• May be required to perform other duties as assigned; may be required to assist in the event of a mass fatality incident or emergency declaration.
This position is open to candidates in the Tidewater (Norfolk) region of the state. Position hours are between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. This position is 100% on site, without remote or telework options as records are located in each office. Travel to other districts or out-of-state 1-2 times a year is required.
Collects and analyzes data using a variety of established research methods, procedures, statistical formulas, and techniques. Verifies data for accuracy and identifies trends, develops projections, and prepares reports as directed or follows established procedures. May lead other support staff on projects. Analyses are performed to address a limited variety of applications. Frequent contact with other staff as well as information sources and end users of data is required to accurately collect data and to meet user needs.
This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the National Violent Death Reporting System grant for a period ending September 30, 2027. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.
The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of database management; data quality assurance techniques and procedures; basic statistical formulas and techniques.
• Strong oral and written communication, interpersonal, problem solving, and database management skills.
• Knowledge of basic research methods, information review processes and data entry.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to independently collect, analyze, and enter data; perform data quality checks; report and reconcile discrepancies; prepare clear and accurate documentation and reports.
• Software skills should include MS Office

Additional Considerations

• Experience using large public health or criminal justice data systems.
• Experience in research, data abstraction or data entry is preferred.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered.
Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include
relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check
and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion
List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or
completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted
without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and
protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation;
gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and
pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can
be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening
Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date
for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this
application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to
respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration

Contact Information

Name: Jessica Vaughan

Phone: n/a

Email: jessica.vaughan@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.