As an Oncology Data Specialist, You Play a Key Role in the Fight Against Cancer

As an Oncology Data Specialist, you’ll change lives for the better (including your own). Cancer Registrars apply their education and experience to diligently review all of the information in the patient’s medical record to apply state and national standards in how they synthesize that information into discrete data fields within the abstract . These data information specialists capture the complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status of each and every cancer patient in the U.S. Those data points are then used by researchers, healthcare providers, health officials and others to develop, improve and track cancer treatments and research, guiding public health decisions and providing a basis for improvements in diagnosis and treatment.

If you’re looking for a job in demand, this is the one for you. With many cancer registrars across the U.S. retiring, there’s a growing need for new professionals to take their places. That’s good news if you’re looking for a new career or to change careers within the healthcare profession. And here’s even more good news: a college degree isn’t required to become a cancer registrar. So if you’re someone who is working in a hospital and would like a change, a person with an associate’s degree looking for meaningful, good-paying employment or a new college graduate trying to figure out your next steps, a career as a cancer registrar just might be a great fit. Plus, according to the National Cancer Registration’s Salary and Compensation Considerations for Oncology Data Specialists, abstractors have an average salary of $57,049—and those who hold a certification as an Oncology Data Specialist earn significantly more.