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Tumor registrar vs health information specialist

The differences between tumor registrars and health information specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a tumor registrar and a health information specialist. Additionally, a tumor registrar has an average salary of $57,112, which is higher than the $33,343 average annual salary of a health information specialist.

The top three skills for a tumor registrar include patients, abstracts and medical terminology. The most important skills for a health information specialist are patients, HIPAA, and medical terminology.

Tumor registrar vs health information specialist overview

Tumor RegistrarHealth Information Specialist
Yearly salary$57,112$33,343
Hourly rate$27.46$16.03
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs11,463135,448
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a tumor registrar do?

A tumor registrar specializes in documenting tumor cases such as diagnoses and treatments. In hospitals and other medical facilities, they are primarily responsible for coordinating with staff to gather patient information, medical histories, diagnoses, and treatment progress. They must also conduct extensive research and analysis, maintain accurate records, update databases, and participate in developing various programs such as screenings and information drives. Furthermore, as a tumor registrar, it is essential to keep an eye for any errors or inconsistencies, performing corrective measures promptly and professionally.

What does a health information specialist do?

A health information specialist is in charge of overseeing and developing strategies to optimize information management procedures in hospitals, physicians' offices, and other similar environments. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering and updating medical records, receiving and organizing files, and updating databases according to the appropriate coding systems and procedures. Furthermore, as a health information specialist, it is essential to coordinate with nurses and other staff to ensure accuracy in documentation, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Tumor registrar vs health information specialist salary

Tumor registrars and health information specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Tumor RegistrarHealth Information Specialist
Average salary$57,112$33,343
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $81,000Between $25,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-University of California
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between tumor registrar and health information specialist education

There are a few differences between a tumor registrar and a health information specialist in terms of educational background:

Tumor RegistrarHealth Information Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeGeorgetown UniversityUniversity of Southern California

Tumor registrar vs health information specialist demographics

Here are the differences between tumor registrars' and health information specialists' demographics:

Tumor RegistrarHealth Information Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 12.1% Female, 87.9%Male, 15.1% Female, 84.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 8.7% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between tumor registrar and health information specialist duties and responsibilities

Tumor registrar example responsibilities.

  • Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPPA and clinic.
  • Participate in the cancer program survey by ACoS COC.
  • Utilize ICD-9-CM, CPT and HCPCS coding systems, and HCC coding.
  • Train new and inexperience coders on (ICD-9-CM), (CPT) and (HCPCS) code identification.
  • Experience in CoC accreditation surveys.
  • Staff onboard training of EHR system.
  • Show more

Health information specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly and analysis, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.
  • Review and audit medical records for correct DRG and APC assignment.
  • Certify requests for subpoenas, court orders, legal cases and training of employees.
  • Utilize Cerner and Centricity systems to assist in ancillary services.
  • Abstract medical records with ICD9-CM, CPT and DRG coding.
  • Scan documentation via DCS into HPF to be index under ROI.
  • Show more

Tumor registrar vs health information specialist skills

Common tumor registrar skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Abstracts, 8%
  • Medical Terminology, 7%
  • Registrars, 7%
  • COC, 5%
  • Seer, 5%
Common health information specialist skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • HIPAA, 11%
  • Medical Terminology, 10%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Data Entry, 4%
  • Office Equipment, 3%

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