Post job

Tumor registrar vs medical records technician

The differences between tumor registrars and medical records 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 medical records technician. Additionally, a tumor registrar has an average salary of $57,112, which is higher than the $37,087 average annual salary of a medical records technician.

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

Tumor registrar vs medical records technician overview

Tumor RegistrarMedical Records Technician
Yearly salary$57,112$37,087
Hourly rate$27.46$17.83
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs11,46367,660
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 34%
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 medical records technician do?

A medical records technician is responsible for performing administrative duties, handling patients' medical records for medical purposes. Medical records technicians keep an organized database of patients' information, including medical history, diagnosis, healthcare treatments, laboratory schedules, and insurance details using specific healthcare coding procedures. Medical records technicians must be detail-oriented and highly organizational, especially on maintaining the accuracy and confidentiality of patients' information. This job is critical in the healthcare industry for the doctors' reference and determining treatment costs.

Tumor registrar vs medical records technician salary

Tumor registrars and medical records technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Tumor RegistrarMedical Records Technician
Average salary$57,112$37,087
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $81,000Between $28,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City-Long Branch, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Guidehouse
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between tumor registrar and medical records technician education

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

Tumor RegistrarMedical Records Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 34%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Most common collegeGeorgetown UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Tumor registrar vs medical records technician demographics

Here are the differences between tumor registrars' and medical records technicians' demographics:

Tumor RegistrarMedical Records Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 12.1% Female, 87.9%Male, 18.8% Female, 81.2%
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, 17.3% Asian, 8.7% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between tumor registrar and medical records 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

Medical records technician example responsibilities.

  • Enter all patient in-take into EMR, manage triage, scheduling, and maintain a sterile clinic setting.
  • Manage medical treatment authorizations and durable medical equipment (DME) requests and verify medical eligibility for all patients requesting treatment.
  • Perform examinations in the ER, main radiology area and surgery.
  • Order medical records for patients, medical staff, outside entities, and court subpoenas for certain dates of services.
  • Audited/Validate daily outpatient medical coding accounts involving emergency rooms, surgery, interventional radiology, radiology, and ancillary services.
  • Staff education on EMR and industry regulations.
  • Show more

Tumor registrar vs medical records technician skills

Common tumor registrar skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Abstracts, 8%
  • Medical Terminology, 7%
  • Registrars, 7%
  • COC, 5%
  • Seer, 5%
Common medical records technician skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Medical Terminology, 11%
  • HIPAA, 6%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Medical Facilities, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs