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Workforce Resources 

NCRA is the industry leader in cancer registry salary and workforce research. NCRA has worked with partner organizations to identify needs, launch research initiatives, coordinate studies, and promote the outcomes. Many of the studies have been designed to provide hospital and central registries with national workload and time management data that can be used to better inform decision-making about staff size and configuration. Current workforce initiatives are outlined below. 

NCRA Task Force Delivers New Information on Cancer Registry Outsourcing and Cancer Registrar Perception

As follow-up to its Strategic Management Plan, NCRA formed an Outsourcing and Perception Task Force to gather information on 1.) the perception of cancer registrars and, 2.) the role of outsourced vendors supporting the work of the cancer registry. The Task Force conducted a survey to learn more about these two areas of interest. The input provided by the respondents has enabled NCRA to begin to frame new efforts to best support its members and the cancer surveillance community about changing dynamics of the cancer registry workforce. Some key takeaways from the survey include:

  • Eighty percent of all respondents feel valued within their facility as a cancer registry professional.
  • Seventy-five percent of leads at hospital registries were not aware of new or expanded outsourcing plans by their facility, 18.5% did not know if there would or would not be outsourcing planned, and just under 7% indicted that outsourcing plans (new or expanded) were in their facility’s future.
  • One-third of hospital registry leads have no role in the hiring practices of registry employees.
  • While support for QA/QC is a common reason for choosing outsourcing vendor support, the way in which facilities and outsourcing vendors validate QA/QC varies broadly.

Based on the survey, the Task Force brought several recommendations forward to the NCRA Board for their consideration which was approved. These include:

A. Communicate/promote what was learned – Share findings and identify volunteers to participate in additional efforts of the Task Force.
B. Study the data received further – Form workgroups to study additional areas to address.
C. Reposition cancer registry “leads” role in the hiring process – Draft a white paper to solidify the expected and best practice role of lead cancer registrars as a key resource in hiring and employee/vendor selection.
D. Coordinate efforts and messages to improve perception of cancer registrars – Leverage collaboration with the CTR Marketing Committee to enhance a branding campaign aimed at educating the health care community about the cancer registrar profession and CTR credential.
E. Standardize data quality approach/practices – In recognition of the various mechanics thought of in validating hospital data quality while working with outsourcing vendors, form a workgroup to evaluate and recommend best practice.
F. Identify, develop, and deliver tools in support of outsourcing best practices.
G. Assess opportunities to assure that outsource vendors are bringing consistent best practices to their work. - Form task force to explore this concept.

The Task Force has already begun work on executing these recommendations. The four-year effort will be collaboration between volunteers and staff. Look for updates on the NCRA website. Meanwhile read NCRA’s Report on the 2020 Outsourcing and Perception Survey.

NCRA’s Survey on COVID-19’s Impact on Cancer Registrars and Registries 

NCRA wanted to better understand that impact of COVID-19 on hospital-based cancer registrars and registries. To that end, NCRA distributed an online survey in May 2020 and received a 55 percent response rate from “lead” cancer registrars. Read the Report on NCRA’s COVID-19 Survey.

Human Resources: A Fact Sheet on Certified Tumor Registrars (CTR) 

NCRA has received several requests for a fact sheet on cancer registries and the work of cancer registrars to share with human resources departments outlining the work of CTRs and their importance.  Download Summary PDF.

 

Workload and Time Management Study: Guidelines for Central Cancer Registry Programs

The study provides central cancer registries with national workload and time management data they can use to compare to their own registry. The comparisons can help inform decision-making about staff size and configuration. In addition, the findings provide central cancer registry administrators with the data needed to advocate, plan, and budget for their cancer registry programs.  Download Summary PDF.  

 

NCRA's Workload and Staffing Study: Guidelines for Hospital Cancer Registry Programs 

The study provides hospital cancer registries with national staffing and workload data to inform staff planning and budgeting. The guidelines also serve as a tool for managers in advocating for adequate staffing to meet cancer registration goals.  Download Summary PDF.

 
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