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Tumor registrar vs health information technician

The differences between tumor registrars and health information technicians 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 technician. Additionally, a tumor registrar has an average salary of $57,112, which is higher than the $34,604 average annual salary of a health information technician.

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

Tumor registrar vs health information technician overview

Tumor RegistrarHealth Information Technician
Yearly salary$57,112$34,604
Hourly rate$27.46$16.64
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs11,463120,786
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 41%
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 technician do?

A health information technician is primarily responsible for managing and handling patient information, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality. They coordinate with various health care workers to gather patient data, laboratory results, test findings, and medical histories, encoding them in clinical databases in a timely and efficient manner. They must analyze every information to detect any inconsistencies, performing corrective measures right away. Furthermore, as a health information technician, it is essential to utilize particular software and systems when processing information, all while adhering to the hospital's policies and regulations.

Tumor registrar vs health information technician salary

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

Tumor RegistrarHealth Information Technician
Average salary$57,112$34,604
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $81,000Between $26,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City-Fairbanks, AK
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Stifel Financial
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between tumor registrar and health information technician education

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

Tumor RegistrarHealth Information Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 41%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeGeorgetown UniversityUniversity of Southern California

Tumor registrar vs health information technician demographics

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

Tumor RegistrarHealth Information Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 12.1% Female, 87.9%Male, 16.5% Female, 83.5%
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, 9.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 8.6% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between tumor registrar and health information technician 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 technician example responsibilities.

  • Maximize ROI by effectively managing the microfiche process.
  • Assist patients and staff on filling out ROI's, and explain what exactly are being release or obtain.
  • Perform analysis and assembly of emergency room and surgery records and release records according to HIPAA regulations and confidentially.
  • Input data into a windows base in-house system.
  • Scan medical records in the EHR using the NEXTGEN software.
  • Attend advanced SQL coding workshops to optimize and refine database infrastructure.
  • Show more

Tumor registrar vs health information technician skills

Common tumor registrar skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Abstracts, 8%
  • Medical Terminology, 7%
  • Registrars, 7%
  • COC, 5%
  • Seer, 5%
Common health information technician skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Medical Terminology, 13%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • HIPAA, 9%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Data Entry, 5%

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