Clinical Registry Specialist

The Clinical Registry Specialist is responsible for the abstraction, collection, validation, analysis, and reporting of clinical data for assigned specialty registries and quality programs. The role supports organizational quality improvement, regulatory compliance, accreditation readiness, and performance optimization through accurate data management and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.

The Clinical Registry Specialist partners with physicians, nursing leaders, operational leaders, and quality teams to identify opportunities for improvement, support evidence-based practice, and ensure the integrity of clinical registry data.

Essential Duties

The duties and responsibilities described below represent the essential functions of the job. Other duties or responsibilities may be assigned at the discretion of the immediate supervisor and/or leadership within the individual’s hierarchy.

Clinical Data Abstraction and Registry Management

• Abstracts and enters clinical data from the electronic health record and other sources into assigned registries, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
• Maintains the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of registry data in compliance with established registry standards and reporting requirements.
• Conducts routine data audits, validation reviews, and quality checks to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintains current knowledge of registry definitions, abstraction guidelines, measure specifications, and regulatory updates to support data quality and compliance.
• Supported Registries may include: STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, GWTG Stroke, VQI, NVQI and/or CMS quality reporting programs.

• Analyzes clinical and operational data trends.
• Develops reports, dashboards, and presentations for physicians, leadership, committees, and operational teams.
• Assists with benchmarking activities and interpretation of national comparative data.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvement based on outcomes and performance data.
• Monitors key performance indicators and outcome measures.

• Supports quality improvement, accreditation, and specialty certification initiatives by collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes, clinical workflows, and evidence-based practices.
• Coordinates survey, audit, and site visit readiness, assists with regulatory compliance activities, and monitors action plans to ensure continuous performance improvement.

• Serves as a clinical and registry resource for physicians, nursing, and operational leaders.
• Educates stakeholders on registry definitions, documentation requirements, and performance metrics. Participates in committee meetings and performance review discussions.
• Promotes accurate clinical documentation to support data integrity and quality outcomes.

• Indirect & General – supervisor or delegate may not be physically present on the work unit and assigns objectives to be completed independently.
• Clinical – oversight beyond Administrative to include clinical preceptorships or other formal/informal review of clinical work to ensure patient safety, desired outcomes, and effective clinical skill.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Education

Verifiable completion of the following degree in a major relevant to the role is required: Bachelor’s Degree in health science, public health, health informatics, or related life science.

Preferred Education: Registered Nurse preferred, or clinical degree in a healthcare-related field.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of clinical, registry, quality, or performance improvement experience.  
• Experience with cardiovascular, stroke, surgical, or vascular registries preferred.
• Knowledge of clinical quality measures and regulatory reporting.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Experience with electronic health records and database systems.

• Experience with STS, GWTG Stroke, VQI, or NVQI registries.
• Experience with accreditation programs and quality improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of CMS, DNV, or specialty certification standards.

Preferred Credential(s): Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) through the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ), through, the Healthcare Quality Certification Commission (HQCC)