10    The Connection | Winter | 2016-2017

What’s considered an ethical 
infraction? When is an ethical 
infraction a concern for NCRA? NCRA 
members are expected to follow 
NCRA’s professional practice code of 
ethics, found at 

www.ncra-usa.org/

files/public/CodeofEthics08.pdf,

 to 

ensure we bring honor and dignity 
to ourselves, the cancer registry 
profession, and the association. 

NCRA’s Ethics Committee investigates complaints of unethical 
behavior and alleged violations of this code. The code stresses 
integrity, a key component to workplace ethics and behavior. 
Integrity is being honest, and doing the right thing at all times. 

Taking responsibility for your actions is another major factor 
when it comes to workplace ethics and behavior. This means 
showing up on scheduled workdays, arriving on time, and 
putting in an honest effort while on the job. Workers who exhibit 
accountability are honest when things go wrong, then work 
toward a resolution while remaining professional all the while.

Misconduct covers a range of offenses by both employees and 
organizations. It includes behavior that creates a hostile work 
environment; conflicts of interest; violations of company Internet 
policies; falsifying time reports; lying to employees, customers, 
vendors, and the public; theft; and egregious types of corruption 
such as bribery, illegal political gifts, and accepting inappropriate 
gifts.

So what types of issues are brought to the NCRA Ethics 
Committee for discussion? Below are a few examples.

1.  A coworker spends several hours a day using the work 

computer to shop, check out sports scores, pay bills, do 
online banking, and surf headlines for the latest celebrity 
news and political opinions. They’re also always on their 
phone, texting or talking. 

Question:

 Is this unethical? And how does this relate to NCRA?

We can agree that it’s not ethical to use your employers’ 
resources for personal business. But is this an issue for NCRA  
or for the employer?

NCRA Ethics Committee recommendation:

 Report this behavior 

to your employer’s human resources department. 

2.  A coworker asked for and received information on a contract 

that included information about payments for work provided. 
The request was honored without question because of the 
personal work relationship between the two employees. 
Later it was determined that this information was used to 
start a competing business. 

Question: 

Is this unethical? And how does this relate to NCRA?

Using work channels for personal use/gain is unethical. The 
person who provided the information should self-report a breach 
of confidential information. The co-worker who requested the 
information damaged the credibility of the registry staff by 
knowingly requesting information in an improper manner for her 
personal benefit.

NCRA Ethics Committee recommendation:

 Report this behavior 

to your employer’s human resources department.
NCRA’s Code of Ethics asks cancer registrars to 

•  conduct yourself in the practice of the cancer registry 

profession so as to bring honor and dignity to you, the cancer 
registry profession, and the association; 

•  uphold the doctrine of confidentiality and the individual’s 

right to privacy in the disclosure of personally identifiable 
medical and social information; and 

•  cooperate with other health professions and organizations 

to promote the quality of health care programs and the 
advancement of medical care, ensuring respect and 
consideration for the responsibility and the dignity of 
medical and other health professions.

Courtesy, respect, and cooperation should govern the 
relationships of fellow cancer registrars. Recognize that 
consultants and co-workers may have differing opinions regarding 
certain proposals or recommendations, and do not allow such 
differences to lead to utterances or actions inconsistent with the 
professional stature and dignity of a colleague.

Professional titles and degrees should only be used as earned 
and consistent with the dignity of the profession. Only a certified 
tumor registrar should use the letters CTR. This is an earned 
credential. You may work in a cancer registry department and 
you may abstract BUT if you haven’t passed the CTR exam, you 
may not use this credential.

 
 

An NCRA Ethics Primer

RUTH A. MARANDA, LPN, CTR | CHAIR, ETHICS COMMITTEE

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