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 affiliated organizations and standard setters.
Guidance to assist with implementation is below. This information is also on the ODS Fact Sheet: Affiliated Organizations (PDF), which allows the information to be printed and shared. Downloadable graphic files are available below to also assist with the transition.
Human Resources Processes
NCRA has created specific guidance for employers to assist with the transition. If you have employees who hold the credential and/or position descriptions and job titles that need updating, please visit www.ncra-usa.org/ODSToolkit to access the HR guidance.
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 Current Publications and Resources
Implement a search-and-replace process. “CTR” should be changed to “ODS” and “Certified Tumor Registrar” to “Oncology Data Specialist”.
Use established processes and timelines to make the update. If publications and resources are updated quarterly or annually, use that timeline to make the needed changes. When one promotes an annual conference or important meeting, use the event’s production schedule to make the transition from CTR to ODS.
Historic Publications and Documents
NCRA does not anticipate that historic publications, resources, and documents will be updated. Only publications and resources revised in 2024 or newly produced in 2024 should reflect the updated credential name.
Note to Standard Setters
NCRA understands the process to update standards is extensive. The next time the standards are updated, the change should be made. In the meantime, standard-setters are encouraged to include this language or something similar on current versions of the standards versions and related websites to acknowledge the 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 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 certification exam. NCRA will begin implementing the change in January 2024. [Name of your organization] will be updating [name of publication] in XX and will make the change at that time. Please note that any reference to the Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credential should be understood to be the Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) credential.
Updating Websites
Like publications and resources, use a search-and-replace protocol to update websites. If your organization does an annual review to update the website or, as specific events or publications are updated, one can make the change at that time.
One can place this text or something similar at the top of key webpages to indicate the organization 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. Please note that any reference to the Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credential should be understood to be the Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) credential.
Images to Support ODS Credential Communications
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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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