Few jobs have the large-scale impact of cancer registrars. The information they gather and share leads to better management of cancer and medical treatment for patients.
The importance of this relatively unknown occupation has driven a need for those with expertise in the field. The federal government expects the field to grow 13 percent by 2026. That’s far faster than the 7 percent growth expected for all occupations.
Cancer registry is one career area where Samstaff specializes, connecting those with skills in the profession with employers looking to fill positions in this critical area.
The Importance of Cancer Registries
Those working with cancer registries gather and document information on cancer patients at the facility where they’re employed. This information is sent annually to the state where they work, and then in turn to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR).
Information also is collected by the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (SEER).
Medical professionals and scientists around the country and the world can then access this latest information on cancer. For example, according to the CDC, they can get answers on questions such as the number of colon cancer cases this year as compared to last or what demographic group is most likely to develop skin cancer.
The CDC reports that cancer registries have been used many times in specific cases. For example, investigating a possible “cancer cluster” in North Dakota and introducing health programs in Georgia to lower the levels of obesity (which is connected to many types of cancer).
What Do Cancer Registrars Do?
An attention to deal and an ability to work with software systems are key to success as a cancer registrar.
When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, all the pertinent information is delivered to the cancer registrar. They then take responsibility for correctly entering and coding this information in a database. That includes the patient’s age and race, as well as the exact type of cancer, it’s location and details on both treatment and results.
Registrars also must ensure all the needed information is included in each report, as well as double-checking for accuracy. The job often requires having to go back and ask questions of medical staff and patients.
Registrars typically work in hospitals. However, jobs also are available with state and national cancer registries, pharmaceutical companies and insurance agencies.
Finding A Job In The Field
Health recruiters such as Samstaff can help cancer registrars find the latest openings in the field.
Demand continues in the field for many reasons. The first is that cancer registries continue to be used in ever-increasing numbers by healthcare professionals. Also, an aging population in the United States has led to more people receiving cancer treatments and a great wealth of information that needs to be properly coded and entered into registries.
The future is bright in this growing field. Not only does it offer an opportunity to work in a challenging medical field, but it also is a chance to work in profession where a person can make a real difference in the healthcare industry.
