cancer registry training « Registry Mindset

Swimming with the Sharks

By Michele, on December 16th, 2011%

This diver was almost swallowed by a whale shark last July near Mexico. Puts all new meaning to “swimming with the sharks,” dosen’t it?

: Swiming with the Sharks

You can read more animal stories on MSNBC by clicking here.

Budget Bending Blues for Cancer Registrars

By Michele, on December 9th, 2011%

Not all that long ago I was sitting in the department head’s office discussing the cancer registry budget for the coming calendar year. Now, if you’re like me, the mere mention of the “B” word causes anxiety! I knew this particular day was coming, it came around every year. But, why it has to coincide with the holidays is still a huge mystery! But, on this day here the two of sat, much like two cats squaring off for the big event in the back alley.

My wish list was in my hand and the department head’s eyes were on this massive Excel spreadsheet that resembled something out of a power grid for a metropolitan city. “Let’s get this over with quickly,” she said. “Tell me what equipment you need, if anything.” I checked my list and named the two items I needed, both of which amounted to less than $2,500. “Nope,” she said. “Can’t do that, no room in the budget. What else do you have?” Hmmm. Skipping down on my list I looked at our plans for education and travel. Taking a deep breath I relayed the information she needed about the state and national cancer registry meetings and the importance of our attending. “Well,” she replied. “I don’t get to travel and neither do any of the other managers or supervisors, so why should we send anyone from the cancer registry?” Ah ha! I knew this coming too and had a very brief, yet powerful reply (or so I thought). I carefully explained, in bullet points, the necessity of travel based on our accreditation status, CTR credential needs, and so forth. After a few moments of silence she said, “Can’t you get any of that online for free? Why should the hospital have to pay for this?”

Sound familiar? After my “special moment” with my department head, our cancer registry spent the next year dealing with antiquated equipment failures and scrambling for information on the new program standards and changes so that we could correctly and accurately collect, code and classify data. At some point along the way, she did offer to pay for my registration fee to the national association meeting. I, of course, had to ante up for the rest of the expense, much like many of you have had to do. That’s the cost of being a healthcare professional for which I have had to adjust my attitude, mindset and, of course, pocketbook.

This time of year we face incredible challenge. Perhaps you are struggling to get all of your cancer program accreditation requirements completed or you are working overtime to publish that annual report before the stroke of midnight on December 31^st. You, too, may be facing the budget blues and challenges just like I had to do. Or, you may be dealing with emotional and physical challenges from caring for your family or an elderly parent. Or, maybe you have suffered the loss of a loved one or friend recently. What is a cancer registrar to do?

The first thing you can do is to set aside time to regroup, enjoy time with family and the holiday season. No one will get a hero’s welcome or special recognition for being a workaholic, it just does not happen that way. So, be kind to yourself, eat, sleep, rest and be merry. Then come back to work, refreshed and ready to tackle that “elephant in the room.”

Second, be realistic about what your organization can, or will, give you for educational and travel benefits. If you are fortunate to not have to worry about this, then rejoice in that fact. If you are not so fortunate, then accept that this is more common than not and make a decision, and commitment, to continually maintain your professional status, grow your skill sets and knowledge base, and to creatively network with your peers. To simply stagnate or stubbornly refuse to update your skills will only lead to frustration and isolation.

Third, be kind to yourself and explore alternative and effective ways in which to learn and grow as a cancer registrar. For example, Registry Mindset is the best online continuing education resource that offers budget-friendly CE courses developed by, and for, today’s cancer registrar. No travel is required and the payment methods will not break the bank. Corporate plans are also available (upon request) and you just might be able to sell the idea to your department head as a budget-friendly option for your organization!

Fourth, work on the mindset and behaviors. Be wholly present and accountable for your career and the service your cancer registry provides. All of healthcare is struggling to bend the budget and provide the best state-of-the-art services and care. How you support the organization, in your behavior and attitudes, will be a large determinant of your success and longevity. Stop whining or complaining and, instead, enhance and develop new methods and processes that will help your organization effectively use the cancer registry data to provide better patient care services.

So, to bend the budget and holiday blues, try these four steps to dramatically increase your value, improve your mindset and attitude and give you options and alternatives on how to grow and maintain your cancer registry professionalism. That’s the best holiday gift you can give yourself!

If you have ideas or suggestions that are not mentioned in this article, please Leave a Reply in the box below or on the “Contact Us” page. We would like to know how we can serve your needs and help you to become everything you are capable of becoming.

Michele Webb creator of http://www.RegistryMindset.com, the cancer registrar’s best online continuing education resource, is a nationally recognized, certified cancer registrar, committed to Cancer Registry leadership and professional education as a coach, mentor, motivational speaker and author. You have permission to repost this article as long as do not alter it in any way and give a link back and credit to the author and this URL.

Just Ask

By Michele, on November 21st, 2011%

Whether you are setting a goal to become a cancer registrar, take your certification (CTR) exam, or you want to enhance your cancer registry skills, you will need to create an action plan. At first this sounds like a huge project, but it really is just a few simple steps.

Grab a 3×5 index card, something to write with and sit in your favorite chair. Now, just take a few minutes to think about what it is you want to accomplish. Now, at the top of the card write down, in one or two brief sentences, your goal.

Now, under your goal, write down at least one, no more than three, individual action items or steps to take to accomplish the goal. Once you’ve completed this part of the process you’re already way ahead of the “average” person. But, don’t stop. Keep going!

You’ve got your action plan in front of you, but who is going to help or mentor you along the way. Just by asking someone to help you stay accountable to your goal improves your chances of actually reaching it. Who are you comfortable with? Who understands your work and what you want to accomplish? Who will be honest and straight forward with you? Think of this person and write their name on the bottom of the card.

Your last action is to ask that person to help you. That’s all there is to it. Just ask. Even the most successful people have mentors and others in their life who help them stay focused and moving forward. The cancer registry profession is complex and changing rapidly, so why would you want to do this alone or jeopardize your ultimate success by isolating yourself from your peers?

Share your card, even make a photocopy of it, or email it, to your friend and mentor. Touch base with them routinely to update your progress and to solicit their feedback or suggestions. I guarantee if you do this you will see benefit and feel more successful about your plan and goal.

Congratulations! You’ve taken the first steps to achieving greater success! You have a plan and it is something you can monitor and track. Keep your card with you at all times and refer to it often. Update your progress as you go along. When you do reach your goal, celebrate you’re your friend or mentor.

At any point along the way, if there is something that I can do to help you achieve your goal please contact me. I would welcome the privilege to be your friend or mentor. You can also learn more about goal setting on our other blog by clicking here.

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Michele Webb creator of the cancer registrar continuing education program, http://www.RegistryMindset.com is a nationally recognized, certified cancer registrar, committed to Cancer Registry leadership and professional education as a coach, mentor, motivational speaker and author. You have permission to repost this article as long as do not alter it in any way and give a link back and credit to the author and this URL.

Is Realistic Thinking for Cancer Registrars?

By Michele, on November 19th, 2011%

As we approach the Thanksgiving Day holiday we all look forward to spending time with family and friends, good food, rest, relaxation and just “getting away from it all” even if only for a day or so. The holiday also gives us opportunity to appreciate the blessings we have in our lives.

While this is good, we can, and should, maximize gratitude and our performance by learning realistic thinking. Realistic thinking and daily thoughts of gratitude will not only enhance your value as a cancer registrar but they contribute to a healthier and happier lifestyle. All this, literally, is 100% free and readily available. Just imagine, no medical bills, no pills to take, no doctor visits. Instead, it is a process we use to think about and react to our daily lives and the world around us.

Now, realistic thinking is not about replacing negative thought with positive thoughts. We will always have and be bombarded by negative thoughts in our society. Instead, realistic thinking is the development of a process that helps you to change deeply ingrained habits of thought. Your awareness will increase as your abilities to control your thought processes and reactions increase. This, in a nutshell, is how you become a realistic thinker and move forward to a life of gratitude, happiness and success. When you incorporate daily gratitude and appreciation with realistic thinking you become a “force to be reckoned with” and significantly enhance your ability to change your thought patterns and reactions.

As cancer registrars our reactions to our workplace and environment are observed by others. Negative thoughts and behaviors detract from our effectiveness as a cancer registrar and negatively impact the value our profession and industry has in patient care. Just imagine the power and success that we can all experience if cancer registrars across the nation radically changed into realistic and grateful thinkers and doers! I know that each of us has the capability to make this change. I invite you to join me in evaluating your core behaviors and to adopt a realistic thinking process that will ensure your place in healthcare for the years to come.

To learn more about realistic thinking and how to change your life, read this article titled, “Taming Stressful Thoughts: Making Thoughts Work For You.”

To learn more about how gratitude can improve your brain health, happiness and longevity visit Dr. Daniel Amen’s website by clicking here.

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http://www.RegistryMindset.com. Michele Webb is a nationally recognized, certified cancer registrar (CTR) who is committed to Cancer Registry leadership and professional growth. She helps cancer registrars around the world as a motivational speaker, author, and educator. You have permission to repost this article as long as you do not alter it in any way, give credit to the author and link back to her website.

Give First, Then Receive

By Michele, on September 23rd, 2011%

As cancer registrars we can be more successful at influencing our cancer program team and peers by applying a few simple principles. Often people think of influencing others as a form of manipulation and unethical behavior. But, nothing is further from the truth. Influence, when used appropriately and for the right reasons is not only ethical, but highly effective.

According to Robert Cialdini, author of Influence: Science and Practice, the first principle of influence is reciprocation. People will be ready and willing to help you when you have first done something for them. This is really quite simple and perhaps you recall The Golden Rule. The principle also suggests that the cancer registrar will be proactive in how they approach and influence members of the cancer program, instead of reactive. So, in a nutshell, this means give first, then receive.

The heart of the Cancer Registrar’s work is helping others. It stands to reason that they will also develop their professional assets and skills to help others do their jobs better, be more successful and to collaboratively work together. You have one of the most valuable assets in healthcare at your fingertips and that is information. By freely giving of applicable and critical information you can generate feelings of gratitude that makes the other person want to reciprocate. This will foster not only a collaborative environment but will demonstrate your value to the organization and cancer program.

What are you giving to others today? Are you generating a sense of gratitude and reciprocation? How do you demonstrate value as you influence others?

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Cancer Registrar Influence

By Michele, on August 26th, 2011%

You can watch a short video on this subject by clicking here.

For most of us, the very thing that we tend to think of least is what has the greatest power to impact the success in our work and personal lives. I’m talking about our personal influence. What we believe in, think about, and the attitudes we choose radiate from us each and every day.

Each of us have the gift of influence. This ability comes from what we really are, not what we pretend to be. As humans, we have the power and even the responsibility to choose our beliefs and actions and how we want to influence others.

Each of us has the opportunity to select the qualities and behaviors that need improvement. By choosing to work on our personal and professional growth we can not only dramatically change our own lives, but we can also change our influence on others.

What is your power? How do you influence others in your cancer registries, hospitals, organizations and even in your community? We all have something that can be improved upon and I know that with a little thought and action, you can be a change maker and positively impact the world around you. And, when you choose your attitude and mindset, you will be able to influence others with respect and empathy and prove your value as a cancer registrar.

I hope that you watch the short video by clicking on the link above and that you share this with your friends and colleagues. Tell us how you’re influencing people around you or what “your secret” is for demonstrating value by communicating with love, respect and empathy. Just click on the “Leave Comment” button below and drop us a few short sentences. Check out our professional growth courses at www.RegistryMindset.com, the cancer registrar’s best resource for professional growth and top-quality continuing education programs.

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Michele Webb creator of the cancer registrar continuing education program, http://www.RegistryMindset.com, is a nationally recognized, certified cancer registrar, committed to Cancer Registry leadership and professional education as a coach, mentor, motivational speaker and author. You have permission to repost this article as long as do not alter it in any way and give a link back and credit to the author and this URL

Double Your Value as a Cancer Registrar

By Michele, on August 22nd, 2011%

Recently I received an email from Brian Tracy that got me to thinking about cancer registrars and their success. Did you know, that by investing in your own continual professional improvement that you can double your productivity each year and be more than 1000 times more productive in the next decade? Now, don’t go away yet because this is serious business and it can make the difference between your success as a cancer registrar, or not.

To get started create your customized plan that includes your vision of success. When you are “successful” – what will that look and feel like? Take your vision then write down a few goals that you need to reach that will help you achieve the vision. Just start breaking it down, one by one, until you have your continuous improvement plan. See, it’s really that simple!

Another component of success is accepting 100% responsibility for everything you are and everything you become. Refuse to make excuses or blame others. Accept more responsibilities, in fact, ask for them. Put your whole heart into doing an excellent job. Carry out every task or project to the best of your ability and utilize your God-given talents. Keep doing this and not only will you increase your value but you will gain more experience and be given more important things to do.

Dedicate yourself to continual professional improvement. That includes more than just learning the standards or the rules. It means that you will continually develop and grow yourself as a “whole person.” Your plan needs to include personal and professional development, leadership, communications, relationships skills, strategic thinking and more. Keep increasing your skills and knowledge a little at a time.

Here’s how the compounding works. If you become 1/10th of a percent more productive each day, you’ll be one half of one percent more productive each week. One half of one percent becomes two percent each month and 26% more productive each year. With compounding, you will be doubling your overall productivity and performance every 2.7 years. In the next 10 years you will be 1004% more productive (and successful) than you are now.

This concept is called the Law of Accumulation. It is the primary reason people become successful. If you study the highly successful people in this world you will find that they have their own personal plan for continual development.

Make a decision, right now, to become a 1000% person and cancer registrar! Commit yourself to developing the “whole person” and creating your plan for continual professional development. Read, listen to programs, take additional courses (in fact, look at our Registry Mindset continuing education courses on this website – click on the “register” menu option to learn more)! One thing I know for sure, if you follow this process you will transform your life and be a happier, more successful cancer registrar than ever before!

Be patient. Success does not come overnight and changes to our lives take time. Just focus on becoming a bit better at something you do each day and your future will be bright and rewarding!

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Michele Webb, creator of www.RegistryMindset.com, is a nationally recognized, certified, cancer registrar who is committed to Cancer Registry success and leadership. She helps cancer registrars achieve their dreams as a coach, mentor, motivational speaker and author. You have permission to repost this article as long as you do not alter it in any way, give a link back to this page, and give credit to the author and this website.

Performance Ideas for Life

By Michele, on August 12th, 2011%

This short inspiring movie by the Freiberg’s says it all!

Performance Ideas for Life from Dr. Kevin & Dr. Jackie Freiberg on Vimeo.

Pink Bat

By Michele, on July 8th, 2011%

Cancer Registrars must develop a new mindset and approach to solving problems in order to provide their organization’s cancer data needs today and in the future. Watch this great inspirational movie and let author, Michael McMillan show you how to re-train your approach to problem solving. Click here to watch this awesome video!

Fireworks, BBQ and Freedom

By Michele, on July 1st, 2011%

As a little girl I would start anticipating our local fireworks show weeks before the 4^th of July even rolled around! You see, being older, and being the only girl in the family, had its advantages! Each year my dad and I, just the two of us, would drive from Los Banos to Newman, California, to watch the fireworks. We would find the “perfect” spot on the bleachers and watch the other families staking out their seats and enjoy the festivities with all the other families around us. Dad would always treat me to a candied popcorn (remember the pink bricks of popcorn?) and a Pepsi while we waited for what seemed like “forever” to a little girl. But, when they dimmed the stadium lights everyone would quiet down and the excitement would build. For a little town, Newman went “all out” and produced a fantastic fireworks show. We would “ooh” and “ahh” with each colorful burst and shower and then talk about our favorites all the way home.

Jennifer Quasha talked about this so simply and yet so eloquently in her blog published on Fox News. You can read her thoughts about fireworks, freedom, and the 4^th of July by clicking here.

Now that I am older I still love fireworks displays, BBQ’ing and time with family over the holiday. But I also have come to appreciate the freedom we have in this country. And, I am proud to say that my Dad served our country in order to preserve that freedom. As I grew up and began looking at careers and making important life decisions, my folks encouraged me every step of the way. But what really stands out is something my Dad told me. He didn’t often counsel me but when he did, it stuck! He said, “Sis, no matter what you do in life, your mother and I will love you and support you. But, make sure it is something that will support you financially, that you like to do it, and you can do it well.”

Being a cancer registrar has done just that for my life. It’s like my own private, super-dooper, fireworks show. I love the work and am proud to say that I am a certified cancer registrar. I’ve been blessed with a career that has helped me serve the needs of my community and industry. That’s what freedom does for us. We can choose a career that uses our natural, God-given abilities, learn how to do it well and then enjoy the ride all the way!

Here’s another gift that comes from freedom. We don’t have to stop learning. We are not forced to do one thing and then stop. We can continually learn, improve and grow as industry experts. As cancer registrars this is critically important. That is why I created Registry Mindset. It is an online, continuing education program that helps cancer registrars become industry experts in the clinical, scientific and professional aspects of their work. Lastly, it’s easy and enjoyable and increases the cancer registrar’s value as they serve their communities and industry. If you value your contribution to cancer registry, you are probably looking for those fireworks and memorable moments too to super-charge your career. Look no further than Registry Mindset!

So, as you feast on BBQ this weekend and take the family to the park for the fireworks show, don’t forget to say “thank you” for the freedom you have. Say “thank you” for being able to become a cancer registrar. Sign up for Registry Mindset so that you can continue to be the “best of the best” in the industry as we serve our physician communities, hospitals and cancer care efforts nationwide and around the world!

Have a blessed and happy Fourth of July holiday!

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