Cytotechnologists perform the initial work in detecting and diagnosing cancer by identifying malignant cells in patient specimens. Various other benign and pre-malignant conditions can also be detected. When abnormalities are found, a pathologist reviews and interprets the samples. The cytotechnologist also prepares microscopic slides using a variety of laboratory stains and equipment. By viewing slides of cell samplings under the microscope, cytotechnologists can recognize abnormalities in color, size and shape of cell substances. The Cytotechnologist must be willing and able to function in a rather confining environment and to do very exacting work for extended periods of time. Patience and high degree of accuracy are essential.

To be considered for admission to a one year cytotechnology program, one must have completed 93 semester credit hours or three years of college work with an emphasis in biology. Some programs accept only those students with a Bachelor of Science degree. Students who have successfully completed the cytotechnology program and have been granted a Bachelor's are eligible to take the national registry examination.

• 4+ year Bachelors Degree

Large hospitals employ Cytotechnologists, but most Cytotechnologists work in private laboratories and pathologists' offices where physicians and hospitals send specimens to be tested. As in most occupations, replacement needs will be the main source of job openings. Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005 creating additional job openings. The rapidly growing older population will spur demand, since older people generally have more medical problems. Technological changes will have two opposite effects on employment. New, more powerful diagnostic tests will encourage more testing and spur employment. However, advances in laboratory automation and simpler tests, which make it possible for each worker to perform more tests, should slow growth. Research and development efforts are targeted at simplifying routine testing procedures so that nonlaboratory personnel - physicians and patients in particular - can perform tests now done in laboratories. Also, robots may prepare specimens, a job now done by technologists and technicians.

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances using a variety of tests. Similar or related procedures are performed by chemists, crime laboratory analysts, food testers, and veterinary laboratory technicians.

$44,304

• Jewish Hospital College Nursing & Allied Health
• University Of Kansas School Of Allied Health

• Aft Healthcare
• American Society For Clinical Pathology
• American Society For Cytotechnology
• American Society Of Cytopathology
• Ascp Board Of Registry
• Heart Of America Association In Cytology
• National Accrediting Agency For Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• National Environmental Health Association
• North Carolina Society Of Cytology