Fighting cancer with data
San Jacinto College’s Cancer Data Management program teaches students how to collect and manage important cancer data used in research and public health. Earn a respected credential, take flexible online classes, and prepare for a high-demand career where you can make a real impact.
Career Opportunities and Income
Visit sanjac.edu for information regarding career opportunities and potential earnings in the Greater Houston region.
Learning & Career Pathway
This is an Advanced Technical Certificate that builds on your prior learning experiences. This award requires having previously earned an associate degree, or higher, in any field.
Learning Outcomes and Career Skills
A student completing the last award in the pathway will be able to:
- Coordinate functions related to an accredited American College of Surgeons cancer program
- Apply legal, ethical, and accreditation standards according to American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer to the effective practice of cancer registry
- Evaluate and interpret current coding and staging guidelines to identify cancer disease and its process while documenting quality abstracts
- Conduct follow-up procedures and data analysis to assist members of the healthcare team in providing high quality patient care
- Apply computer concepts and software applications to conduct case finding, abstracting, coding, and staging functions according to cancer industry standards
- Critically analyze cancer data and prepare statistical reports utilizing graphical tools in cancer epidemiology
- Exhibit professional verbal and written communication skills when interacting with clinical and administrative healthcare team members
- Apply knowledge of cancer disease processes, treatment, drugs, medical terms, symbols and abbreviations and the structure and function of the human body to accurately conduct case finding, abstracting, coding, and staging functions
Program Accreditation
The San Jacinto College Cancer Data Management AAS degree is accredited by the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA):
National Cancer Registrars Association, Inc. (NCRA)
1330 Braddock Place, Suite 520
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-299-6640
Fax: 703-299-6620
E-mail: info@ncra-usa.org
Licensure or Certification
The Advanced Technical Certificate in Cancer Data Management is designed to teach all aspects of the cancer registry, including survey processes, collection and abstraction of data, oncology coding, staging, and reporting. Upon completion of this program, the student is eligible to apply to take the national Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) examination, administered by the National Cancer Registrars Association.
External Learning Experiences
This program includes a learning experience in the form of a virtual practicum.
If assigned to a healthcare facility, the student is required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the external learning sites. Some learning sites outside the college have their own vaccination requirements. These rules come from those facilities and are not mandated by the college. Failure to meet those immunization requirements may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the external learning site.
Locations
College Admission
San Jacinto College is an open admission institution. All students are welcome to apply and will be admitted to the College. You may begin the process on the College’s “How to Apply” webpage.
Program Admission
In addition to being admitted to the College, students must also be admitted to the Cancer Data Management program which has additional requirements and/or steps.
Plan of Study
AHITT-CAN
Prerequisites
To be eligible to complete this Advanced Technical Certificate, students must have at least a minimum of an associate degree and a medical science/basic science or Biology/Introduction to Medicine course.
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| HITT 1305 | Medical Terminology I | 3 |
| HITT 2330 | Pathophysiology and Pharmacology | 3 |
| ITSC 1309 or BCIS 1305 | Integrated Software Applications I or Business Computer Applications | 3 |
| BIOL 2404 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (lecture & lab) (or BIOL 2301 and BIOL 2101 and BIOL 2302 and BIOL 2102) | 4 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Second Term | ||
| HITT 1307 | Cancer Data Management I: Introduction to Cancer Registry Management | 3 |
| HITT 2307 | Cancer Data Management II: Abstracting Principles and Practices I | 3 |
| HITT 2372 | Oncology Coding and Staging | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer Year One Term | ||
| HITT 1311 | Health Information Systems | 3 |
| HITT 2370 | Cancer Data Management III: Abstracting Principles and Practices II | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Term | ||
| HITT 1255 | Healthcare Statistics: Cancer Epidemiology and Statistics | 2 |
| HITT 1361 | Clinical-Cancer Data Management | 3 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
External Learning Experience: HITT 1361 Clinical-Cancer Data Management
National Certification Exam: Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR)
Note: Students must pass each HITT course listed in the Cancer Data Management Advanced Technical Certificate plan of study with a grade of C or higher to be eligible to receive the certificate.
Move ITSC 1309/BCVIS 1305 from 1st term to 2nd term.
Move HITT 1307 from 2nd term to 1st term.
National Certification Exam: Oncology Data Specialist (ODS)
This is a sample plan of study based on a full-time student. Part-time students will work with the program director to develop an individualized educational plan.