ICA Program: Student FAQs

Q: What is the 160-hour clinical practicum? 

A: The clinical practicum allows students to apply the knowledge and concepts taught in NCRA-Accredited Formal Education Programs. The practicum strengthens a student’s understanding of cancer registry principles through hands-on application. The clinical practicum is the final requirement of all NCRA-accredited programs.  
 

Q: What is the purpose of the ICA Program?

A: Some students have difficulty finding facilities to complete the 160-hour clinical practicum. To address this challenge, NCRA created the ICA Program to provide students with advisors to supervise the portions of the 160-hour clinical practicum that can be completed online. This includes abstracting, casefinding, and HIPAA. 
 

Q: How does the ICA Program work? 

A: Once a student has completed all the coursework in an NCRA-Accredited Formal Education Program, they may request an advisor through NCRA’s ICA online application. Once appointed, the ICA and student will work together to determine the approved-online activities to complete. Learn more about NCRA’s Virtual Clinical Practicum Catalog
 

Q: If I sign-up for the program, am I guaranteed an ICA advisor?

A: NCRA is actively recruiting ICAs to the program, and our goal is to ensure all students who request an ICA be assigned one, but we cannot guarantee it. 
 

Q: What are the requirements for a student to participate?

A: Students applying to the ICA Program must be enrolled in an NCRA-Accredited Formal Education Program and have completed all the coursework. The student will be required to provide documentation of coursework completion when completing the ICA online application. 
 

Q: Who are members of the ICA Group? 

A:  An ICA member is an experienced CTR and NCRA member.