Cancer Information Management
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree, Diploma, Advanced Certificate
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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 a 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.
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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 Statistics 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.
Iowa's Last-Dollar Scholarship
You may be eligible to earn a degree in this high-demand field for zero tuition costs! You file for financial aid, and if your Expected Family Contribution is at or below $20,000, the state covers the remaining balance beyond the aid for which you are eligible. More than two dozen career programs qualify, including this one. File your FAFSA by July 15.
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Real Work Experience
Our Health Care Site Coordinator will help you find a healthcare facility to gain 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.
Online to Fit Your Needs!
With more than 1,000 online students each semester and years of experience, we are an established leader in online education. Take classes on your schedule and be fully supported in reaching your goals. In addition to your instructor, take advantage of advising, tutoring, and all services EICC students enjoy.
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Career Services
EICC’s Career Services department helps you refine goals, search for jobs, and launch a profession. Looking for work or an internship? Regional and national employers post openings on our job posting site. Upload your resume. Refresh it first using our free online tool. Meet with an EICC career coordinator to do a mock interview or to learn more about career pathways.
REACH YOUR CAREER GOALSYour 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.
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How to Pay for EICC
College is more affordable than you think, especially when you factor in federal and state aid, loan options, scholarships, institutional grants, and Work-Study.
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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.
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