Cancer Registry Management Associate of Applied Science
Program Overview:
RCTC’s Cancer Registry Management programs are designed for those interested in becoming a cancer registrar. Cancer registrars are data information specialists that capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every cancer patient in the United States. The data provides essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs. Registrars work closely with physicians, administrators, researchers, and healthcare planners to provide support for cancer program development, ensure compliance with reporting standards, and serve as a valuable resource for cancer information with the ultimate goal of preventing and controlling cancer. Cancer Registrars play a key role in the fight against cancer.
The mission of the Cancer Registry Management program is to provide high quality education and training to a diverse population of students to fulfill a need in our community and throughout the country for credentialed cancer tumor registrar professionals.
Program Outcomes:
Upon completion of the Cancer Registry Management program at RCTC, students will achieve the following outcomes:
- Identify reportable cancer cases, code and stage primary site, histology, and extent of disease.
- Abstract patient cancer data while monitoring timeliness, completeness, and accuracy of data.
- Support cancer registry organization and structure while assuring patient privacy, data integrity, and security.
- Compare and differentiate between organizations involved in collecting data and those involved in creating data standards.
- Perform cancer patient follow-up activities to identify second primaries, recurrence, and spread of disease.
- Take part in the role of reporting cancer data to health care officials, medical staff, epidemiologists, and regulatory organizations for use in cancer prevention and control.
Career Opportunities:
Cancer registry professionals are needed in hospital-based and central cancer registries throughout the United States. In addition to managing and reporting cancer data, registrars serve in multiple other professional activities and consultant companies. Due to limited educational opportunities, there are not enough cancer registry professionals available to fill positions in this rapidly growing field.
Additional Information:
Rochester Community and Technical College is accredited by the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).
Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply to take National Cancer Registrars Association exam to become an Oncology Data Specialist (ODS).
Program Entrance Requirements:
To be admitted to the program, students must meet admission criteria and complete two applications and return them to RCTC Admissions and Records:
- RCTC Application for admission: https://www.rctc.edu/admissions
- Cancer Registry Management Program Application: https://www.rctc.edu/program/crm/admission
Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply to take National Cancer Registrars Association exam to become an Oncology Data Specialist (ODS).
Notice of National Criminal Background Check Requirement
Background checks are required to ensure a safe environment for both students and the public and to meet the contractual requirements of area healthcare facilities. Students who fail to submit and pass a background check cannot complete or maintain enrollment in the program. A list of disqualifying offenses is available at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=245C.15.
CANCER REGISTERY MANAGEMENT AAS
MINNESOTA TRANSFER CURRICULUM (MnTC)/GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (17 CREDITS)
GOAL 1: COMMUNICATION (10 CREDITS)
- COMM 1114 – Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr) OR COMM 1130 – Interpersonal Communication (3 cr)
- ENGL 1109 – Introduction to Professional and Technical Communication (3 cr)
- ENGL 1117 – Reading and Writing Critically I (4 cr)
GOAL 3: NATURAL SCIENCES (4 CREDITS)
- BIOL 1107 – Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology (4 cr)
GOAL 5: HISTORY AND THE SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (3 CREDITS)
- PSYC 1611 – Psychology of Adjustment (3 cr)
or
GOAL 6: HUMANITIES AND THE FINE ARTS (3 CREDITS)
- PHIL 1135 – Bioethics (3 cr)
PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS (43 CREDITS)
- AOP 2350 – Microcomputer Business Applications (3 cr)
- HCOP 1620 – Medical Terminology for Health Professions (3 cr)
- HIMC 1840 – Introduction to Health Records (3 cr)
- HIMC 1850 – Computerized Health Information (3 cr)
- HIMC 2110 – Cancer Registry Organization and Management (3 cr)
- HIMC 2115 – Cancer Registry Operations (3 cr)
- HIMC 2120 – Cancer Disease, Coding, and Staging (4 cr)
- HIMC 2125 – Oncology Treatment and Coding (4 cr)
- HIMC 2130 – Abstracting Methods (4 cr)
- HIMC 2135 – Follow-up, Data Quality, and Utilization (4 cr)
- HIMC 2140 – Professional Practice/Clinical Practicum (4 cr)
- HIMC 2600 – Human Disease for Health Professionals (3 cr)
- HIMC 2610 – Pharmacology (2 cr)
RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCES
FULL-TIME
- Semester 1 (16 CREDITS): AOP 2350, COMM 1114 OR COMM 1130, ENGL 1117, HCOP 1620, HIMC 1840
- Semester 2 (15 CREDITS): BIOL 1107, HIMC 1850, HIMC 2110, HIMC 2600, HIMC 2610
- Semester 3 (14 CREDITS): HIMC 2115, HIMC 2120, HIMC 2125, PHIL 1135 OR PSYC 1611
- Semester 4 (15 CREDITS): ENGL 1109, HIMC 2130, HIMC 2135, HIMC 2140* (*HIMC 2130 and 2135 must be completed first)