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Certified Cancer Tumor Registrar (CTR)? - wondering

Posted: May 21, 2014

I just got a flier in the mail from AHIMA about becoming a CTR or Certified Cancer Tumor Registrar. I have never heard of this and so my curioisty is piqued. My question is could this be another career or is it another way AHIMA is trying to get money out of us? I am not sure if the hospitals or clinics in my area would need a CTR but I will also be doing my research! Thanks!

I worked briefly in Tumor Registry at a big hospital. - Feather Tuscadero

[ In Reply To ..]
I was not a CTR, though some of my fellow registrars were (I was an RHIA). If I remember correctly, everyone was either an RHIT, CTR, or RHIA. Tumor registry isn't easy, I'd say comparable to inpatient coding in difficulty level. Somewhat tedious.

One aspect of the job I really liked was going to weekly tumor board meetings, where the oncologists discussed particularly difficult or unusual cases amongst themselves and via teleconference with our sister hospital in another state (big cancer center).

Another field I tried to get into but never did was Trauma Registry. If you're looking for a change, investigate that, as well.

Isnt it Pinky Tuscadero? - just bothering me...

[ In Reply To ..]
Sorry... been a few years but I thought it was Pinky.

Pinky - Leather

[ In Reply To ..]
= Feather

There was Pinky and also Leather. - Feather Tuscadero

[ In Reply To ..]
:-)

CTR - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Are you confusing AHIMA with AHDI? AHIMA is a respected professional organization. They are not in the habit of trying to soak folks for money.

CTR is a recognized field. Google it and you will see that is a valid credential. You almost always need it to work in a cancer registry. There are stringent eligibility criteria which includes an internship. That makes the AHIMA program unsuitable if you need the internship. Without experience, you would need it.

CTR is very close to coding. The education is much the same. There are far fewer jobs, though and the salaries are generally lower.

I would not go into CTR unless I already worked in a tumor registry--that's how much fewer jobs there are. It is not something I would do if I did not live in a major urban area.

I concur with the salary being lower than for a coder. sm - Feather Tuscadero

[ In Reply To ..]
I can't remember what my hourly rate was, but I know it was nothing to write home about (15 years ago).

Typically lower because it is not - critical to revenue. nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

I received the same flyer yesterday... - another poster

[ In Reply To ..]
...and it was definitely from AHIMA.

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