by Cheryl Radin-Norman, LPN, RHIT, CTR
Outsourced overseas, now what? That was how I felt when the boss called a meeting and told us that we were being replaced. All my plans disappeared with that one word. I was an ED/Observation Coder and happy at my job. But seeing it outsourced was a kick to the gut. So now I know I needed something that would be harder to outsource. Then I remembered working alongside another HIM Professional at the hospital and she was a Cancer Tumor Registrar or CTR. We used to lunch together, and I learned that she had a very interesting job that included coding and research, just what I loved to do in the coding field. Not only that, but she traveled and educated others about what her job meant to the cancer field. She also worked alongside doctors in Cancer Committee and Tumor Board Meetings. Cancer Tumor Registrar seemed to be as challenging and life changing as coding work. This field offered diversity and growth, and the market was wide open. Plus, how could this be outsourced? So, how to become a CTR.
After researching, I discovered that there were a couple of programs available to sit for the CTR Certification. I enrolled in University of Cincinnati (Go Bearcats!) and discovered that I was learning to love this program as much as I loved coding. I also discovered that this area of HIM is not as well known as many of the other areas. So now that I have my CTR and am working in a State Central Registry, my goal is to introduce as many people as possible to this area of HIM and hopefully entice others to make the leap to this rewarding career.
What does a CTR do? You can work in the State Central Registry where data is collected from all the facilities that diagnose and treat cancer. After collecting the data, it is consolidated before being sent to the national databank (CDC) to be used for clinical trials and clinical research for cancer treatments. Or you can work in the facilities gathering the data from the patient’s charts and creating abstracts telling the story of the patient’s cancer, from diagnosis to treatment to remission or cure, following them for the rest of their natural lives. There is also the opportunity to attend Cancer Committee meetings and the Tumor Board Meetings. All integral areas for collecting data so that the research can continue and improve the lives of those cancer patients. It is a fast paced and constantly changing field where you can feel that you are making a difference in the lives of those with cancer.
Now that I am a year passed certification and working in the field, I find I am constantly learning, and it has become a most rewarding experience. I get up excited to go to work and enjoy my job because I can truly feel that I make a difference. Years ago, when I used to teach in the HIM field, I told my students that they were choosing the best healthcare field to enter because the opportunities were endless. And I have proved it in my own career.
About the Author 
