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9052
NOSOLOGIST
Nature of Work
Under general supervision, performs complex clerical work at
a full-performance level coding and editing the causes of death
on death certificates and processing birth, marriage and death
information prior to its being entered into the computer and
microfilmed. Work is performed in accordance with International
Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of
Death and other national and international rules and governing
coding procedures. Performs related work as required.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This position is distinguished from other positions which
code health information by the strict adherence to national and
international coding protocol. Because the Center for Disease
Control and other governmental agencies use the information for
statistics, the incumbent must be able to distinguish the
underlying cause of death from any other contributing ailments.
Examples of Work
Follows the International Statistical Classification of
Diseases and related international and national rules in
coding and editing the causes of death on death
certificates from West Virginia counties.
Edits cause-of-death certifications for adequacy of
terminology, for completeness and for consistency in the
relationship of the causes reported as a sequence;
requests additional information, if needed.
Holds death certificates that lack completion of the cause of
death by the Certifying Physician, types the information on
the certificate, when received, as indicated by the doctor;
sends certified copies of the certificate to the family or
funeral director if they have paid for copies.
Checks for errors on birth and death certificates; numbers
certificates for filing and indexing; photocopies selected
death certificates for agencies collecting statistical data
for deaths caused by certain injuries, fire, auto
accidents, drug and alcohol, drowning and certain
infectious diseases; photocopies records of birth anomalies
for Maternal Child Health; photocopies nonresident birth
and death records to send to the respective state or
county.
Checks county marriage records for accuracy and completeness,
assigns numbers and prepares for microfilming.
Contacts doctors, medical records personnel, county clerks,
and funeral directors to request additional information.
Attends national training courses to refresh skills and learn
updated procedures and classification rules.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of cause of death coding and practices, and
international and national rules governing coding
procedures.
Knowledge of medical terminology and etiology of disease.
Knowledge of objectives and procedures in the statistical
program of the vital statistics section.
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in
writing.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and
draw valid conclusions.
Ability to use technical materials associated with disease
classification.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic.
Minimum Qualifications
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Training:
Graduation from a standard high school or the
equivalent.
Experience:
Two years of full-time or equivalent part-time
paid experience in general clerical work involving
coding and indexing paperwork, and one year of full-time or
equivalent part-time paid experience of on-the-job training
in the vital statistics section of the Department of Health
and Human Resources.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: After a year of on-the job training, the
Division of Health will provide advanced training by the
National Center for Disease Control.
Established: 8/20/92
Effective:
9/15/92