Tumor Registrar
Class Specifications – H.45
Tumor Registrar 1 – 8538
Tumor Registrar 2 – 8537
Tumor Registrar 3 – 8536
March 2016 Updated July 2026
Series Concept
Tumor Registrars are responsible for collecting, managing, and maintaining detailed information about cancer patients using the tumor registry system. They analyze data and release information, ensuring accuracy and completeness while maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of the information. Tumor Registrars also ensure that data collection and reporting adhere to regulatory standards and accreditation requirements. Additionally, they perform quality control to validate data accuracy and perform other duties.
Class Concepts
Tumor Registrar 1
Under supervision, incumbents perform duties primarily of a non-supervisory nature that require a moderate level of skill in a limited number of areas.
Using all available resources, Tumor Registrars determine the most current date of last contact, vital status, and disease status for each patient in the Cancer Registry in accordance with standards of the American College of Surgeons (ACOS), Commission on Cancer, and the California Cancer Registry (CCR) while maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards. Additional duties include generating reports, reviewing medical records, generating patient letters, calling patients, doctors, and relatives, and searching public databases to gather data to update patient status in the Cancer Registry System. Tumor registrars may also assist in case finding, request medical records, coordinate Tumor Board conferences, and perform other duties as assigned.
Tumor Registrar 2
Under general supervision, incumbents perform non-supervisory duties requiring a high level of skill and complexity.
Tumor Registrar 2 incumbents screen, identify, collect, and enter cancer-specific data in cancer data systems in accordance with the standards of the California Cancer Registry, American College of Surgeons, and NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER).
Tumor Registrar 2 may be used for positions in which the incumbent has reached the advanced operational level in work requiring complex skills in a limited variety of areas.
Tumor Registrar 3
In addition to requiring an extensive knowledge of medical terminology and a thorough understanding of patient records, positions at this level require specialized skills or knowledge across multiple areas, including medical coding, data abstraction, reporting, accreditation submissions, and professional composition. Non-supervisory positions at this level require extensive analysis, critical thinking, and the ability to resolve complex issues.
Tumor Registrar 3 incumbents work with the manager, cancer quality coordinator, and department staff to implement the cancer registry quality control plan and cancer registry policies and procedures. Incumbents ensure that data quality, data integrity, and data control methods are meticulously adhered to, consistently maintained, and evaluated for accuracy pursuant to the established standards.
Minimum Qualifications
Tumor Registrar 1
Graduation from high school or a general education diploma with a demonstrated aptitude for, or knowledge of, applicable medical terminology, and previous clerical experience, including data entry and retrieval.
Tumor Registrar 2
Graduation from high school or a general education diploma; Tumor Registrar certification (CTR) by the National Cancer Registrars Association, and a minimum of one year of cancer registry abstracting experience in a hospital setting. Demonstrated knowledge of anatomy, physiology, disease processes, and medical terminology. Demonstrated knowledge of coding guidelines and requirements
Tumor Registrar 3
Graduation from high school or a general education diploma; Tumor Registrar certification (CTR) by the National Cancer Registrars Association, and a minimum of seven years’ cancer registry abstracting experience in a hospital setting. Demonstrated knowledge of anatomy, physiology, disease processes, and medical terminology; and demonstrated knowledge of coding guidelines and requirements.
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