Cancer Data Management Certificate in Applied Science
Program Description
Cancer registry careers involve collecting, managing and analyzing incidences of cancer in hospital-based and population-based registries. Data is collected for research, quality management, cancer program development, prevention and surveillance, survival and outcome. Cancer registries comply with established reporting standards and accreditation standards for cancer registration. Examples of day to day responsibilities include:
- Collecting cancer data for clinical outcomes and research
- Preparing reports for physicians and administrators
- Tracking patient treatment plans
- Ensuring data meets state and national standards
- Enforcing patient privacy to prevent violations
Mission Statement
The Cancer Data Management (CDM) Program at Greenville Technical College transforms students’ lives and helps our community thrive by providing students with the skills and knowledge that they need to become Certified Tumor Registrars (CTRs), thus providing a world-class, affordable education to students and building an educated, engaged workforce committed to life-long learning.
Entrance Requirements
To enroll in this certificate program, it is preferred that students have a minimum of an associate degree. Students who do not have an associate degree must also be enrolled in the General Technical associate degree with a concentration in either Health Information Management or Information Systems Technology.
See “Program Requirements” Section for additional requirements.
Type of Program
Online coursework and a 160-hour practicum in a Cancer Data Management setting
Location
Cancer Data Management (CDM) course work is available online only.
Employment Opportunities
Working in a Cancer Registry Program or organizations or companies that support cancer registration.
Professional Credentials
Upon completion of the Cancer Data Management Certificate, students with an Associate’s Degree are eligible to write the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) Council on Certification examination for certification as an Oncology Data Specialist (ODS), formerly called Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR).
Program Accreditation
The Cancer Data Management Certificate in Applied Science program at Greenville Technical College is accredited by the National Cancer Registrars Association.
Visit our web page at https://www.gvltec.edu/cancer-data-management/.
Eligibility Requirements
- Completion of the CDM Career Talk
- Attain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 and pass all courses with a “C” or better
- Complete the mandatory CDM new student orientation
- Submit a physical exam form with documentation of required immunizations. (See details in the School of Health Sciences admissions requirements.)
- Have a negative 10-panel drug screen
- Have an approved criminal background report
Before beginning the practicum, students must:
- Meet all requirements for all facilities in which they are participating in practicum activities
- Complete the mandatory CDM practicum orientation.
Requirements for Completion
The Cancer Data Management certificate includes one practicum course (CDM 260 Cancer Data Management Practicum).
- The practicum course requires that students either spend time in a CDM setting, complete work virtually, or a combination of the two.
- CDM Practicum clinical assignments are required in Phase II and may require travel outside the Greenville area if the student is not completing a completely virtual practicum.
- Students are expected to be able to travel to, and arrange accommodations for, the CDM Practicum.
- CDM Practicums are arranged by the program faculty and are completed during normal business hours, Monday through Friday.
Listed below is the ideal grouping of courses in order by semester. This plan assumes a full-time schedule. Note, however, that many variables can affect this plan, and not every course is offered every semester. Please see your advisor to map out your own personalized progression toward graduation.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| AHS 102 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| CDM 110 | Cancer Registry Management I | 3 |
| HIM 135 | Medical Pathology | 3 |
| HIM 110 | Health Information Science I | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 210 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| CDM 120 | Cancer Disease Management | 3 |
| CDM 130 | Abstracting Principles and Practices I | 2 |
| CDM 220 | Oncology Coding and Staging Systems | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| BIO 211 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| CDM 210 | Cancer Registry Management II | 3 |
| CDM 230 | Abstracting Principles and Practices II | 2 |
| Total Semester Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| CDM 250 | Cancer Statistics and Epidemiology | 3 |
| CDM 260 | Cancer Data Management Practicum | 4 |
| Total Semester Hours | 7 | |
| Total Required Credit Hours | 40 | |