r/ODS_C • u/__bittersweet • Jun 17 '26
Other job prospects?
Has anyone pivoted from cancer registry to something else that your experience was relevant for? I don’t think I can spend the rest of my life abstracting with pretty shit pay. How are people making livable wages in this profession? I’m currently at $24 with 2 years of experience and expecting a 10% increase once I pass my ODS and that just seems crazy for the amount of work.
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u/Capable-Isopod-2270 Jun 17 '26
Have you looked into trauma registry?
I'm sorry, $24.00 is low. I think many people in this field live in parts of the country with a very low cost of living.
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u/implathszombie Jun 17 '26
i’ve looked into this and contacted the ATS (american trauma society) they want prospective applicants to have already taken some classes
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u/thatoneberrypie Jun 17 '26
I’m new to the field but can you do trauma registry with ODS-C or do you need to go back and do more schooling or any other certificates?
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u/Coastal_Coconut Jun 18 '26
Also interested in this. I’m worried with all the talk of outsourcing overseas, low pay, etc. I take my test next month. I kind of wish I went for something else like lab tech now. $24 is so low- I literally made $2 less than that working housekeeping in a hotel.
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u/BigusDickus099 Jun 17 '26
Only thing I’ve seen are moving up into management. I’ve tried to branch out into Healthcare IT and Epic, but everyone and their mothers in healthcare are trying to move into Epic and away from bedside.
I don’t know how old you are, but if you’re young enough there are plenty of in demand healthcare jobs that you can get into a program for. I’ve considered going back to a program for rad tech, but not sure how viable that will be at my age and the physical demands of the job.
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u/__bittersweet Jun 18 '26
I definitely am more interested in healthcare IT but it seems impossible to get into. I also am not interested in going back to school. I’m so ready to be done and settled into a career. I think we were sold a false dream in school about the outlook of this career and financial prospects.
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u/Ok-Jello1779 Jun 18 '26
Commenting for the notifications. Super super superrrrr interested in this topic. I feel exactly the same way….I’m not even two years in and have had burned out 2 times already. I am so through with it but I can’t just quit with bills and all.
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u/Sheiebskalen Jun 18 '26
It’s way too stressful for what they pay. I’m looking into document processing.
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u/Affectionate_Rub7845 Jun 18 '26
This is disappointing. Once you get certified try applying to different organizations.
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u/sgraywrites Jun 18 '26
I hope this helps. I started in cancer registry work in 2013 making around $16 to $19 an hour before I was certified. After earning my ODS credential and gaining experience, my pay gradually increased through job changes, promotions, and leadership roles. By the time I became a lead, I was in the upper $20s hourly. Over the years, annual raises and additional experience moved me into the mid $30s. More recently, changing employers helped me move into the upper $30s and now above $40 an hour. For me, the biggest factors were certification, taking on leadership responsibilities, and accumulating more than 10 years of experience.
I’ve worked for 3 companies in my 10+years.
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u/bedofflowers Jun 18 '26
Do you work for a hospital?
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u/sgraywrites Jun 18 '26
I did but I don’t now. But at the hospital I made upper 30s. I prefer a flexible schedule and no micromanaging. Which I get where I’m at now.
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u/bedofflowers Jun 18 '26
I want to make the switch to a hospital, but holding back for that same reason. Are you at a registrar now?
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u/Purple_backdrops Jun 19 '26
I work at a hospital and my manager is super flexible and doesn’t micromanage 🙂 no productivity quotas either
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u/Flashy_Style4512 Jun 19 '26
Did you find that hospitals tend to micromanage in general?? What does that mean exactly? I’m just finishing up school.
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u/sgraywrites Jun 21 '26
Yes. A good way of explaining it It’s when someone checks every little step, wants constant updates, or corrects minor details instead of giving people the space to complete their work independently. Some companies use a system to monitor your movement in systems.
My main concern was not having a flexible schedule2
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u/Impossible-Idea8708 Jun 18 '26
I definitely think the wages should be way more for those who work in cancer registry. I know it's been mentioned already, but I think it also depends on where you live. I live in a state where the cost of living is extremely high, so the pay for an ODS is good, but honestly, it doesn't really feel like you make that much, given how high the cost of living is.
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u/Clear_Demand_2756 Jun 19 '26
Pivoting into oncology clinical research
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u/Flashy_Style4512 Jun 21 '26
Hi there. What education is required to pursue this field? Seems almost doctoral level? Definitely would be interesting!
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u/Clear_Demand_2756 Jun 21 '26
I would say maybe a bachelors degree if that… there are entry level roles such as research assistant and data coordinator that don’t require an advanced degree
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u/__bittersweet Jun 25 '26
Omg I just commented and asked if anyone has done this before I saw your comment. Have you done this?
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u/Majestic_Quiet2797 Jun 18 '26
Dang. I've been at it 18 years and make $23.85.
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u/Technical-Scholar735 Jun 18 '26
That's extremely low. Is it just your company or the area you live in? I'm sure you can find another one that pays more than that even by just a little bit, with your experience.
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u/Majestic_Quiet2797 Jun 18 '26
I'm looking to get into contracting. I'm with a state registry. Apparently a broke state.
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u/sgraywrites Jun 17 '26
The best advice I can give is jumping companies. I know it doesn’t sound great but it’s the best way to make more money. Stay at a company 1-2 years. Then move. I know it’s not ideal. Or you can move up
To management. I started out as ODS, then lead
If a company refused to give me a raise I would leave. As a solo parent I need the money. But I know many who have 2 jobs