NCRA has changed the name of its credential. Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) is the new name for the Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credential. The new credential name better aligns with the evolving scope of work of cancer registrars and current professional practice terminology, and is representative of the content on the entry-level ODS certification exam.
NCRA will start implementing the use of ODS on January 1, 2024. It will take at least a year for NCRA to make the transition. The association anticipates the same timeline for accredited education programs.
Guidance to assist with implementation is below. This information is also on the ODS Fact Sheet: Accredited Education Programs (PDF), which allows the information to be printed and easily shared. Downloadable graphic files are available below to also assist with the transition.
Guidance for Your Human Resources Department
NCRA has created specific guidance for employers to assist with the transition. For the faculty and/or adjunct faculty who require the credential, please work with your HR departments to update the position descriptions and credential requirements. The HR guidance can be accessed at www.ncra-usa.org/ODSToolkit.
Use of the ODS Credential
The name of the credential is Oncology Data Specialist or ODS and its use indicates certification. Credential holders can choose to use ODS, ODS-C, or ODS-Certified. The three options are synonymous, and the decision on which option to use is personal.
Making the Transition to the ODS Credential
ODS Digital Badge NCRA is developing a digital badge with Credly, a badging platform, that will be made available for credential holders on January 1, 2024. Credentialed cancer registry professionals are encouraged to use this digital verification of the credential in email signatures, LinkedIn accounts, and professional websites. Learn more about the value of digital badges. NCRA will send all credential holders the details on how to access the ODS digital badge the first week of January 2024.
Signature Credential holders can indicate they have earned the Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) certification in one of three ways. As noted earlier, these three options are synonymous, and the credential holder decides on which one to use.
Jane Doe, ODS Jane Doe, ODS-C Jane Doe, ODS-Certified
Updating Program and Course Descriptions, Curriculum, Syllabi, and Websites
Use the academic calendar to make needed updates. As you prepare for the next semester, review all materials – course descriptions, curriculum, syllabi, presentations, and websites – and make any needed changes. The first step is a basic search-and-replace process. “CTR” should be changed to “ODS” and “Certified Tumor Registrar” to “Oncology Data Specialist”.
One can place this text or something similar on webpages and materials to indicate the institution is in the process of making the name change.
The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) has changed the name of its credential. Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) is the new name for the Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credential. The updated credential name better aligns with the evolving scope of work of cancer registrars and current professional practice terminology, and is representative of the content on the entry-level ODS certification exam. NCRA and the cancer registry community began implementing the change in January 2024 and anticipates it will take at least a year to make the full transition. [Name of your institution] is in the process of making the change. Please note that any reference to the Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credential should be understood to be the Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) credential.
Changing Program Names
Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) is the name of the credential, not a job title or position description. The National Cancer Registrars Association will continue to use “cancer registrar” to describe members and the association.
NCRA understands some institutions have used “Certified Tumor Registrar” or “CTR” in the title of their academic program and the process to update the formal name can be extensive and time consuming. NCRA recommends starting the transition by noting that your NCRA accredited program prepares students to be eligible for the ODS credential. Institutions can then implement the process to change the program title according to internal systems and timelines. As noted, NCRA anticipates some institutions will require more than a calendar year to make the needed changes.
NCRA’s Formal Education Accreditation Materials
NCRA will be updating the Accreditation Manual, Practicum Guide, and Substantive Change Report by the end of 2023 and will send copies to all accredited programs.
NCRA’s Online Practicum and Assessments
NCRA will begin updating the online practicum and related assessments in late 2023 with the goal of completing the transition by June 30, 2024.
Images to Support ODS Credential Communications
PowerPoint/Presentation Slide Email Header/e-Newsletter Header Letterhead Image Remote Meeting Platform Background • Zoom and MS Teams • Google Meet Social Media • Main Feed Image 1080 x 1080 • Instagram and Facebook Stories and Reels Digital Postcard • 400 x 167 • 600 x 250 Web Ads • 728 x 90 • 970 x 90 • 468 x 60 • 250 x 250 • 300 x 250 • 120 x 600 • 160 x 600 • 300 x 600
Cancer registrars are data information specialists that capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every cancer patient in the U.S. The curated data provides essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs. Learn more about how to become a cancer registrar and how cancer registry data is used to improve public health.
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