Cancer Registry Management Certificate

Program Overview:

RCTC’s Cancer Registry Management Certificate program is designed for those with an Associate's degree of any field or the equivalent (60 college credits) who are interested in becoming a cancer registrar. If the required prerequisites are completed, the certificate can be obtained in one year. 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 provide 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 of reporting standards, and serve as a valuable resource for cancer information with the ultimate goal of preventing and controlling cancer.

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
• CRM Program Application: https://www.rctc.edu/program/crm/admission
• Admission criteria: minimum of an Associate degree or 60 college credits with required prerequisite courses: Medical Terminology for Health Professions (HCOP 1620), Computerized Health Information (HIMC 1850), and one of the following: 1) Two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 1217 and BIOL 1218) OR 2) One semester of Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 1107), Human Diseases (pathophysiology) (HIMC 2600), and Pharmacology (HIMC 2610).

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 CERTIFICATE

PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS (26 CREDITS)

• 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)

RECOMMENDED COURSE SEQUENCES

FULL-TIME

• Semester 1 (10 CREDITS): HIMC 2110, HIMC 2115, HIMC 2120
• Semester 2 (12 CREDITS): HIMC 2125, HIMC 2130, HIMC 2135
• Semester 3 (4 CREDITS): HIMC 2140

PART-TIME

• Semester 1 (6 CREDITS): HIMC 2110, HIMC 2115
• Semester 2 (8 CREDITS): HIMC 2120, HIMC 2125
• Semester 3 (8 CREDITS): HIMC 2130, HIMC 2135
• Semester 4 (4 CREDITS): HIMC 2140

Course descriptions can be found at: RCTC course descriptions