Trauma Registrar

Howard University Hospital  |  Washington, DC

Role Summary

As a Trauma Registrar at Howard University Hospital, you will be the data backbone of our Level 1 Trauma Center — collecting, abstracting, coding, and reporting the high-quality registry data that drives trauma performance improvement, regulatory compliance, and better outcomes for the injured patients we serve. Reporting to the Trauma Nurse Supervisor, you will work closely with the trauma program, clinical teams, and quality leadership to ensure our registry is accurate, complete, and submission-ready for state and national reporting.

If you are detail-driven, analytical, and energized by the idea that clean data saves lives, this is your opportunity to make a measurable impact at one of the nation’s most storied academic medical centers.

What You’ll Do

• Collect and abstract disease-specific trauma data — uniform data elements describing the injury event, demographics, pre-hospital information, diagnosis, care, outcomes, and costs of treatment for injured patients
• Abstract physiological and anatomical data from the electronic health record in accordance with registry definitions, ensuring high-quality data is entered into the Trauma Registry for analysis
• Perform ICD-10-CM coding and Injury Severity Scoring (AIS) for trauma patient records
• Support the Trauma Division’s performance improvement and patient safety (PIPS) program by running reports that review care provided and identify variations in processes and outcomes across patient groups
• Collect and maintain statistical data for the hospital’s trauma services; generate standard and custom reports in a timely fashion
• Represent the trauma service at multidisciplinary Trauma Service meetings and survey activities
• Evaluate and recommend trauma registry software and tools; ensure new software is compatible with existing systems and that data operating protocols are accommodated
• Orient division personnel on the use of trauma service computer software, including system commands and procedures to obtain trauma service information
• Participate in the establishment and implementation of the trauma services budget
• Investigate incidents or problems relating to the trauma registry; assess daily admissions to ensure proper patient identification and initiation of trauma protocols
• Maintain strict confidentiality and data-security standards for all patient information

Required Qualifications

• Completion of the American Trauma Society’s Trauma Registrar Course, or an equivalent provided by a state trauma program
• Two (2) years of experience in data entry, emergency, trauma, or critical care settings
• Certification by the American Trauma Society’s Registrar Certification Board as a Certified Specialist in Trauma Registries (CSTR) or Certified Abbreviated Injury Scale Specialist (CAISS) — required, or must be obtained within six (6) months of employment
• Proficiency in ICD-10-CM coding and Injury Severity Scoring (AIS) for trauma patient records
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology sufficient to interpret physician, radiology, and operative documentation
• Proficiency in trauma registry software and MS Office applications (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint)
• Strong attention to detail, analytical, and data-validation/quality-assurance skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems or a related healthcare field

What We Offer

• Work-life balance
• Recognition and rewards for professional expertise
• Competitive, comprehensive benefit plans including health, disability, vacation, sick leave, and 403(b) retirement plan
• Tuition remission at Howard University for you and/or eligible dependent children — up to two (2) courses per semester
• A mission-driven environment rooted in over 150 years of excellence, service, and advocacy for the communities we serve

About Howard University Hospital

Howard University Hospital (HUH) is the nation’s only teaching hospital located on the campus of a historically Black university. With a legacy dating back to 1862 — when it operated as Freedmen’s Hospital, providing care and refuge to those who had been denied it elsewhere — HUH has grown into one of the most comprehensive healthcare facilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and is a designated DC Level 1 Trauma Center. Today, HUH continues its proud tradition of delivering exemplary, patient-centered, and culturally responsive care to the community, while providing exceptional learning and professional development opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Position Details

Pay & Schedule

This is a full-time position. Salary range: $45,094 – $72,155 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Compliance Statements

Culture of Care: Howard University Hospital supports a Just Culture that promotes accountability, learning, and patient safety.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Howard University Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation: Howard University Hospital is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Department at HUHLA@huhosp.org.

Pay Transparency: Salary ranges listed in job postings reflect the expected compensation range for the position and are provided in accordance with applicable pay transparency laws. Final compensation is determined based on experience, education, internal equity, and other relevant factors.

Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.

Salary : $45,094 - $72,155