Agility Training for Cancer Registrars

Cancer registrars need to be quick and agile to stay on top of the fast-paced changes and complexity in healthcare. The markets we serve, physicians, hospitals, reporting agencies and patients are radically changing and becoming less predictable. Each are more interrelated and interconnected than ever before. As a result, the thinking patterns and decision-making processes we once used to manage our registries are becoming less applicable.

The cancer registrar’s success is not about working harder, or even smarter, because we’re already doing that. And, it’s not about being change agents, we’re doing that too. Instead, dealing with this complexity involves making ourselves adaptable, flexible and quick to respond. We need less strategic planning and more operational agility. Here’s how:

• Visualize success. What will success look like? Having a clear picture of what success willl look like will ensure the ability to focus, maintain control and move in the right direction no matter what change or complexity comes your way.
• Challenge assumptions. Quite often our biggest enemies are our own attitudes, beliefs and assumptions about our customers and markets we serve. Constantly challenge your thoughts and look for others opinions to put your thoughts in perspective. Ask a lot of "what if?" questions.
• Embrace uncertainty. For decades we’ve talked about managing change. Now that we’re getting good at it we need to stop managing it and start creating it! By embracing uncertainty you accept that you will not always have the answers you need and will open your mind to new possibilities and solutions. You will need courage to make tough decisions without all the data in hand. Uncertainty is the new "norm.”
• Get uncomfortable. Practice thinking differently and evaluating your decision-making processes before implementing them. Seek ways to deliver value that will change your business relationships and position you as the cancer data expert.
• Reinvent relationships. Collaborate with physicians, administrators and staff in new and different ways. Invite them to participate in your cancer registry's activities by integrating them into the process from the beginning. Ask your customers what they need and develop processes that serve their needs.
• Develop dexterity. Structure your registry so you can quickly adjust to unexpected events. Create laser focus and prioritize the work. Keep your vision for success visible at all times by talking about it and physically putting it in front of you, your team and your customers on a regular basis. Develop the ability to move fast with focus and flexibility.

Oh, did I forget to mention that you have to do all this while being informing, inspiring and engaging your team and organization in the process? Cancer registry leadership is not easy and, in fact, it is going to be more challenging than ever. But, when you do it right you will be more fulfilled and achieve more success than ever before!

From Success to Service

What do you know for sure? Seriously, have you ever sat down and thought this through. If you haven't, I highly recommend taking some to think about where you stand on life and where you stand as a contributing member. Once you know where you stand as an individual, then take some time to describe where you stand as a cancer registrar. What is important to you, where do you see yourself in this profession, career or service? What is it that you want to accomplish and why? This is serious stuff now, so don't cheat yourself by repeating someone else's thoughts or coming up with materialistic goals. Really think it through and decide what it is that you know for sure!

Dr. Martin Luther King said, "Everyone has the power for greatness - not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service." What is your plan? How do you want to take who you are, what you want to become and what you do well and use it for something greater than yourself?

Now, here's what I know for sure. Real success comes when I surrender myself to a higher power and to those principles and values that I have chosen to guide my life and actions. If I choose to become highly successful then my focus needs to be on how I can serve the needs of others and help others to be successful first. You see, one of the keys to being successful is to not focus on success or worry about whether you are successful or not, instead it is to work on doing something of significance or of value for someone else. For cancer registrars this means our co-workers, staff, physicians, administrators, hospitals and the patients we serve. Every registry task, big or small, is about serving others.

If you compromise ANY aspect of your work you have chosen failure over service or success. It is as cut-and-dried as this. You either serve others or you serve yourself and self-gratification never leads to success. When we work on becoming a value-added member of the healthcare team we shift our focus from success to service. By focusing on service we instantly add meaning and significance to our life work. It is at this moment we truly become successful! And, when you practice this mindset and behavior each day your level of success will grow into something that is beautiful and remarkable.

Are You Resilient?

A cancer registrar can experience setbacks for many different reasons. As the information experts in healthcare they must balance dwindling resources with increasing complexity in data collection along with increasing demands for their resources and expertise. As with any profession, it is not uncommon for a setback or challenge to get out of control and develop into a full blown crisis. However, while crisis is uncomfortable it can bring you face-to-face with what really matters and force you to clarify and take notice of something you might have otherwise missed. It is in these moments that the cancer registrars develop their resiliency and strength of character.

Here are five steps the cancer registrar can use as they deal with setbacks:

1. Know that everything you feel, when faced with a challenge, is valid. It’s OK to validate your feelings as long as you do not become consumed by them.

2. Share your feelings with someone who can be objective and help you to see around the obvious obstacles towards a positive solution.

3. Focus on the moments in your life, or types of situations you have experienced, that created a positive emotion. Hold on to these moments as you face the challenge – they are a platform for you to use as you move forward.

4. Surround yourself with peers or individuals that will actively help you focus on your goals and making the right decisions. Eliminate negativity in your network.

5. Never let a crisis go to waste. Analyze the lessons and insights and channel these into your strengths. These experiences will continue to serve you the rest of your life. Never forget that growth follows setbacks. Here are a couple of questions to ask: (1) What can I learn from this? (2) What is working, or what is right about this? (3) Where can I use my strengths to help me get through this? 

Use these questions to generate meaning and productive thoughts. Don’t be afraid if the questions bring about an emotional outcome, use these to your advantage by creating something positive and turning them into a strength of character.

Lastly, decide to look at challenges and setbacks from a positive viewpoint rather than one of failure. Your attitude and mindset will determine which direction you go. Focus on what is working and the steps you are taking to reinforce positive actions. Let your emotions and behaviors amplify the positive intentions and outcomes you wish to receive.

Winston Churchill said, “When you’re going through hell, just keep going.” Cancer Registrars may identify with Churchill but more importantly they should adopt a positive mindset and determine to face challenges and setbacks with the intent of developing strength of character and resilience.

-----------------
http://www.RegistryMindset.com. Michele Webb, America’s Cancer Registry Coach, is a nationally recognized, certified cancer registrar (CTR). She cares passionately about her work and enjoys helping others to become cancer registrars and grow professionally. She is a motivational speaker, published author, trainer and netpreneur in the exciting field of cancer registry and oncology healthcare.

The Art of Emulation

Cancer Registrars have a secret weapon called emulation. This is a powerful tool, not to be confused with blatant copying, but rather an emulation and adoption of processes and methodologies used successfully by others. It is a bridge between the basic foundation and structure of a cancer registry department that can add value and meaning to the cancer program as a whole and, even beyond that, into cancer surveillance nationwide.

Here is how it works. Registrars should routinely take time to evaluate cancer registry best practices and the operations of other cancer registries and programs in your area or across the nation. Initially, gather as much information as you can to get a broad spectrum of ideas. Then, begin to study the processes and methodologies you like and envision as adding value and excellence to your registry and organization. Then, develop an implementation plan for putting the material into action. Tailor the plan to fit your needs and align it with the mission and vision of your organization. As you gather information look for elements that will inspire and motivate the team as you begin putting the plan into motion. Never underestimate the power of a seemingly small idea, or spart of creativity, that can turn the team’s interest and motivation into a fireball of creativity.

If you’re worried about copying, you don’t need to be. Although you did start with another person’s ideas, you have uniquely tailored your plan, built upon the original ideas and turned them into something that you can call your own by drawing upon your professional instincts and experience.

After practicing your new emulation skills you will be able to fine-tune your selection of ideas and methodologies and more efficiently develop your own unique action plans. You will get excited about your program and others will see your efforts as having a significant contribution that adds value and meaning to the cancer program. Instead of limitations or roadblocks you will begin to see creative options and multiple pathways to creating a successful cancer registry program.

------------------------------
http://www.cancerregistrytraining.com/. Michele Webb, America’s Cancer Registry Coach, is a nationally recognized, certified cancer registrar (CTR). She cares passionately about her work and enjoys helping others to become cancer registrars and grow professionally. She is a motivational speaker, published author, trainer and netpreneur in the exciting field of cancer registry and oncology healthcare.

There's No Such Thing as "Just Right"

In case you haven't noticed, we live an a less-than-ideal world and most of us fall quite short of being perfect.  As cancer registrars we have learned the value of having all the facts and data reviewed before we launch a new study or project.  And, while that is still considered the 'best practice' it does not necessarily apply to everything that we do in our registry operations. 

For example, if you are working on a draft of the Annual Report and you need something in hand to take to Cancer Committee, you may want to have as much information completed and ready for review as possible.  But, as the day of the Committee comes closer you realize you didn't have enough time to work on the report as you would have liked.  Some will feel compelled to work overtime hours (usually without pay) or to let another deadline or target date slip to spend hours working on the report.  What you may want to consider, instead, is whether or not your vision of the report for Cancer Committee really needs to as complete as your first envisioned, or would something less still be acceptable. 

All too often we overtax ourselves and our systems trying to make something perfect or complete.  When you find yourself in this situation evaluate what is really needed and what is important at that moment in time.  This will help you make the right decisions.  Your challenge is to get things done - maybe that's why they call it managing.  Don't get bogged down by the idea of perfection.  It does not exist, so take action instead of standing still. 

"Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right.'

Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools

you may have at your command, and better tools

will be found as you go along.'

~ Napoleon Hill