Cancer Information Management
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree, Diploma, Advanced Certificate
Apply
Take action in the fight against cancer. At EICC, learn to collect, record, and analyze critical patient information using new technologies. Our program meets Iowa degree requirements and is accredited by the National Cancer Registrar's Association. Take all courses online, then put your skills to work in your hands-on CIM Capstone. Unlike other CIM programs, we have a Healthcare Site Coordinator who will work directly with you to locate a capstone site nearest you. Don't stress about finding it on your own. We take care of it for you.
What You Learn in Cancer Information Management
Learn how to calculate cancer incidents, determine survival rates, and develop educational screening programs. There’s also data collection, epidemiology, registry organization, and much more. Gain real-world experience. Complete a practicum working under the direct supervision of a Certified Tumor Registrar. Pass your five core competency assessments to graduate, and then you are eligible to sit for the national certification exam.
What Can I Do With a Career in Cancer Information Management?
Cancer registrars collect information about each patient’s cancer, including the type, the extent of disease, and treatment methods. It's a critically important job. Your work supports patients and care teams at hospitals and healthcare agencies. Job duties include coding diagnosis and treatment, following cancer recurrence, supervising, and monitoring data security. You will work for one of three types of cancer registries. Hospital registries maintain data on patients diagnosed and treated at their facility. Central or state registries keep track of patients within certain geographical areas. And, special purpose registries take a look at specific types of cancers, such as brain tumors.
A Solid Foundation
Registry Organization
What's it all about?
Registry Organization
Learn the daily operations, processes used, legal and ethical issues, and more.
Cancer Pathophysiology
How it grows & spreads
Cancer Pathophysiology
How to classify it by cell type and origination, and other requirements.
Oncology Coding
There's a code for that!
Oncology Coding
Learn the concepts of coding and staging that form the core of cancer registration.
Health Informatics
Know your tools
Health Informatics
Classification systems, clinical vocabularies, data collection, and more.
Similar Programs
Not quite right? Consider these instead:
See our health programs in action
EICC hosted a multidisciplinary healthcare simulation at the Scott campus.
The 75-minute exercise followed the case of a 28-year-old pregnant patient who experiences an eclamptic seizure during a routine dental cleaning. After she's stabilized, first responders observe potential signs of intimate partner violence, prompting collaboration between healthcare providers, emergency personnel, and health information management professionals.
Ready to apply?
The data Cancer Tumor Registrars collect help patients make decisions about their treatment and care. It’s an important job that makes a difference. If you are ready to go, here’s more details:
You must meet the minimum requirements for math with a C- or higher in MAT-053 Pre-Algerbra or minimum math placement score based on college assessment. If you have previous higher education credits, you must have your transcripts evaluated prior to placement into the program.
Prior to enrolling in the courses, you should contact the Program Advisor, Amy Martin, ammartinFREEEICC, the Program Director, Carrie Jackson, cajacksonFREEEICC, or Site Coordinator, Amber Hotchkiss, ahotchkissFREEEICC.
Before you take Anatomy and Physiology I and Math for Healthcare, learn the basics with these classes:
- BIO-114 General Biology
- CHM-110 Introduction to General Chemistry
- Pre-Algebra or an ALEKS score of 14 or higher
You need to have already earned an associate’s degree or higher and have taken the following courses:
- SPC-122 Interpersonal Communication OR SPC-122 Public Speaking
- Taken HIT-121 Pharmacology
- HSC-113 Medical Terminology
- HIT-170 Principles of Human Disease
You must have a recent physical performed by a licensed physician. You are responsible for the cost of a physical exam and updating immunizations. You will need to provide documentation and results of required healthcare tests and immunizations that will be provided to you once you have been accepted into the program.
You are required to complete a certified criminal, adult, and child abuse background check and are responsible for the cost.
You are required to complete a minimum of 96 hours on-site working under the direct supervision of a Certified Tumor Registrar. Hybrid and virtual options are available only if the site coordinator is unable to locate on-site hours. Regardless of in-person, hybrid, or virtual, you are required to complete assignments and discussions, in addition to your site-hours, within the Capstone course during the semester.
You must complete the five core competency assessments required by the accrediting body NCRA during your practicum hours in order to complete the program. They are:
- Casefinding
- Abstracting, Coding and Staging
- Analysis and Data Usage
- Registry Organization, Follow-Up, and Data Quality Assurance
- Cancer Program Accreditation.
These core competency assessments will be completed through NCRA. Once you have completed all activities leading up to the assessment, you will receive an enrollment code for access from your Capstone instructor.
If you have previous college experience or currently hold degrees, you will need to submit your transcripts and request a transcript evaluation.
Keep Building On What You Know
Taeji Wilken didn’t finish her HIM degree with every step of her career planned, and she didn’t need to. After discovering an interest in health data and cancer registry work, she started working on an Advanced Certificate in Cancer Information Management while continuing to work full-time in the HIM field. "You don't have to have your entire career figured out before you start." she said.
Read Taeji's story
Iowa's Last-Dollar Scholarship
Training for a high-demand career? Iowa's Last-Dollar Scholarship may cover the tuition your other financial aid doesn't. This program applies to more than two dozen career programs, including this one. File your FAFSA by July 15 to see if you qualify.
Learn More
Real Work Experience
Our Health Care Site Coordinator helps you find a healthcare facility to get essential hands-on experience. As part of your capstone project, you get to work under direct supervision of a Certified Tumor Registrar. When you're done, and you've passed the National Cancer Registry Association competency assessments, you're eligible to sit for the exam to become a Certified Cancer Tumor Registrar.
Your Schedule. Your Classes.
Take classes online when it works for you, without giving up the support that keeps you moving. Your EICC instructors, advisor, tutoring, and student services are still right there when you need them. Build a schedule that fits your life. Keep going.
LEARN MORE
Career Services
Get ready for the job. Find openings. Build your résumé. Practice the interview before the real one. Career Services gives you tools, job listings, and people who help turn your training into your next move.
GET CAREER READYYour Degree = Success
Complete your education in two years. Qualify for better jobs. Earn a higher salary. Enjoy a better quality of life. The benefits of an associate's degree are impressive and wide-ranging.
Explore the value of an associate’s degreeEmployment and Wage Outlook
How to Pay for EICC
College costs add up. So do the ways to help pay for it. Start here, see what fits, and get help putting the pieces together.
Contact Admissions
Contact the admissions representative from the college you plan to attend. If you’re not sure, you may contact any rep. Each can answer questions about any college or program.
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Request Info
Cancer Information Management: Locations
Online Program
Yes, EICC fits into your life. Take our courses anywhere. Login at home on the couch or in the back of a breakroom. Our online learning platform lets you view lessons, access materials, submit assignments, and easily connect with your instructor. Have questions? We’re here to help.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ONLINE CLASSES