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Cancer Registrar vs Medical Assistant? sm - Ann

Posted: Jun 01, 2013

I'm considering getting out of transcription. I've been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I'm looking into either CRM or MA - CRM through AHIMA online or MA at local community college. I'm worried that CRM is too much of a "niche" job. There is a nearby cancer treatment center. However, I'm also worried that MA would not necessarily pay that much. I would appreciate any input/advice anyone cares to offer.

Advice - RHIA

[ In Reply To ..]
Cancer registrar can be very good, but, yes, it is somewhat of a "niche" job. That is, there aren't very many of them. They pay about the same as coding jobs, but there are fewer of them and they are harder to get. You really will need to get a certification as a CTR in order to work.

Please look up the certification requirements for Certified Tumor Registrar. There are several routes, all of which require either a practicum or experience. If you're asking this question, then you are not already working as a cancer registrar, so the AHIMA program is not going to work for you.

I don't know what the MA-CRM through AHIMA online is, so if you can provide a link that would be helpful for me. I'd be happy to take a look at it for you.

As for MA, well, if you want that kind of pay, go for it, but I think there are better choices.

If you are looking at a 2-year degree program anyway, you'd do better to look at the BS in health information administration (Health Informatics) from Western Governors. It is entirely online, and very well-done at that, and can be completed in as little as 2.5 years, rather than the 4 you would expect a 4-year program to take. (You'll still do all of it, but you can do it at your speed, not being held back by class schedules.) Their tuition is very reasonable, since they charge very little to begin with and do so on a term basis. Financial aid is available.

Whereas a CTR program would get you to, say, 3 or maybe 6 inches on a 12-inch ruler, in the same time the WGU program would get you to 12 inches. It ends up at the RHIA, on which its grads have a 100% pass rate, with a coding credential (necessary knowledge for CTR, too!), and several computer certifications. Best of all, you would be marketable for much better positions in the same general field *and* health informatics is THE way things are going in HIM. Of which CTR is a part.

If it were me, and you can tell from my name that it WAS me, I would expend a little more effort right now, possibly a little more time, and aim for a job that pays much more. Check out the salary surveys on the AHIMA website to see just how much more -- way more.

If you were already working in a cancer registry, I would say to get the CTR training online and move on from there. But, if you are starting from scratch, I strongly recommend WGU's RHIA program. Really, in terms of job prospects, cost, and time, it's the best choice of anywhere. When you finish, you WILL be a well-respected healthcare professional with a salary to match.

Just to point out - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Just want to point out that CTR and MA are not equivalent jobs, not in scope, duties, or pay.

MA is not the same as a Physician's Assistant, which you probably knew, but theclose sound often makes people think better of MA than it is.

CTRs make between 36 and 56K, with the middle 50% making between 45 and 51K. A 2-year degree is about the minimum required, as is certification. It is a serious certification, too.

Medical assistants make between 26.and 36K with the middle 50% making 29 to 34K. MAs thus top out where CTRs start. Only a high school diploma is required. There is a certificate test, but it is far less involved than the ones for coding or CTR.

Coder salaries go from a few K less than CTRs at 34 to 59K, with the middle 50% from 52 to 59K. The lower start probably reflects job location, since CTRs are employed by large medical centers. Institutional pay is higher than pay in offices and clinics, usually.

Note, too, that coding forms the foundation for CTR. Both are in health information technology. However, jobs in tumor registries are fewer and do not offer as much upward mobility. Mobility would be through further education into medical record administration, where salaries start at 51 and go to 99K, with the middle 50% from 62 to 87.

I love the info provided - in both responses

[ In Reply To ..]
it is very helpful and very well thought out, and does not contain any seemingly "I won't tell you because you might take my job" attitude expressed in my other posts.

may I also suggest that with MA, the position is extremely "hands on" and if you do not care for patient contact or care, it is not the job for you. I was an MA for a while, had the necessary schooling, degree, etc and once employed in that position, found that I did not care for the hands on patient care. In general, some people can be very rude, especially if they are ill, which is often times the case, and the MA, much like poor waitresses, are next in line to have rudeness extended upon them. One has to be very patient and "caring" to deal with these types, and I guess I am not. I wasted a lot of time, education, and finances to find that out about myself, so be sure this is what you want before investing in it. oh, and before I forget, MA does not pay that much either. Internet statistics are not the "reality" of the position. I would say generally the MA position pays, maybe, at most, $10 an hour...if even that. After I had graduated my education in that field, I began applying for the available positions in my area. Granted this was a "few years" back, but I am sure not much has changed in that regard. In my resume, I was requesting $11 to $13 an hour for my expertise in the field, which was a "suggested amount" per the educators in my classes. One time I did receive a response to my application to an open MA position at a town some 30 miles away (time and gas). I was thrilled, and prepared myself for the interview. Well, unfortunately, I never even got an "interview." What I was met with when I got to the office, was an office of maybe 4 or 5 already MAs. They told me straight out that they did not call me as a prospect for filling the job position at all. They called me and had me come there so they could meet face to face the person who had the gall to request $11 to $13 an hour, just fresh out of school and with no related "experience!" apparently they were only making $8 an hour, and thought I was out of my mind to request what I did. I was extremely embarrassed. I explained that this was the amount our educators had said we could expect to receive in salary and that was the only reason I had put that in my resume. I left there feeling extremely ridiculed and bullied. I believe now that what they did was highly unprofessional...to "laugh" at someone who was hopeful of a job! But through my life experiences since then, this is pretty much the norm these days. People are rude and hateful, and the MA will be at the receiving end of that attitude. So think carefully about whether you want to endure that while working, or if you would prefer an "office job" away from patient and/or coworker attitudes.

this is just my experience and not meant to deter any one from attempting anything in their future hopes for a career. good luck to all of you.

personally I would never advise anyone to go with Medical Assistant - Went to college with some ladies that were laid of

[ In Reply To ..]
at a factory. They were given scholarships to go back to school. A lot of them chose a 2 year Medical Assistant program. Bad move. An LPN makes more with less education and jobs abound. Medical assistants can't really do a whole lot and at least around here pay is terrible, $9 an hour at the most when LPNS make $12 at least. Many of them I know went back to school or just chose different jobs (walmart, Huddle House, etc).

Thank you all for your responses - Ann

[ In Reply To ..]
The input you provided was more than I was expecting, so I really do appreciate it. My basic thinking is what will I be able to do as a different career and still be able to function with rheumatoid arthritis in the long run. I probably can qualify for student aid (divorced mom, 2 children, 1 income). I have always put my kids needs first, but if it makes for a better life in the end for all of us, I just need to buckle down and figure out how to make this happen. Thanks to all of you again for the input. I have more research to do!

Another thought - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
With the RA in mind, I would steer clear of MA! You do not want a stand-up, walking, rush-around job, particularly if it is more likely to be for a small employer that would be less likely to tolerate or accommodate issues like that.

HIM is a much better choice in that respect.

You did not ask for advice on your illness other than that, but you might want to give serious consideration to a gluten-free diet. There is some evidence that there may be an association between gluten antibodies and RA, and many people have found that gluten-free diets help. In my case, I have little problem with joint pain and swelling unless I accidentally consume something containing gluten. Dairy products and beef, as well.

You are obviously motivated enough to consider career issues. A dietary change would be less trouble . . . gluten-, dairy-, and beef-free is ridiculously easy, saves money, and . . . really, there is no harm to it.

Already gluten-free...sm - Ann

[ In Reply To ..]
I was diagnosed about 4 years ago as being gluten intolerant. I don't eat that much beef. The dairy part would be hard to quit. I eat a lot of yogurt, cheese sticks, cottage cheese, etc. My rheumatologist did advise to keep active, so I was thinking that the more moving around I could do, the better. Thanks a bunch for the advice, though. :)

Career counseling - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I would check at the same office that administers unemployment and see if they have some career counselors available to help you decide with consideration to your physical problems. If not there, many communities have resources. Also, nearby schools themselves will have student counselors and admission specialists who will try direct you (to their institution) but the advice is free. Good luck.

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