Cytotechnologist

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A cytotechnologist could...

Overview Listen to this section

When a patient gets sick, his or her doctor will take sample cells from the affected part of his or her body and send them to a lab for testing to figure out what is wrong. This is where the cytotechnologist steps in. The cytotechnologist will take the sample cells, make slides from them, and examine the slides under a microscope. Cytotechnologists are trained to detect abnormalities in cells that come from all body sites in order to to make a diagnosis of cancer or other diseases. These professionals help pathologists and doctors diagnose diseases early, thus saving lives.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Cytotechnologist?

1. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
2. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
3. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
4. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
5. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

6. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
7. Social Perceptiveness: ? Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
8. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
9. Time Management: ? Managing one's own time and the time of others.
10. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Cytotechnologist might do:

• Document specimens by verifying patients' and specimens' information.
• Examine cell samples to detect abnormalities in the color, shape, or size of cellular components and patterns.
• Submit slides with abnormal cell structures to pathologists for further examination.
• Prepare and analyze samples, such as Papanicolaou (PAP) smear body fluids and fine needle aspirations (FNAs), to detect abnormal conditions.
• Examine specimens, using microscopes, to evaluate specimen quality.
• Maintain effective laboratory operations by adhering to standards of specimen collection, preparation, or laboratory safety.
• Provide patient clinical data or microscopic findings to assist pathologists in the preparation of pathology reports.
• Assist pathologists or other physicians to collect cell samples by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy or other method.
• Prepare cell samples by applying special staining techniques, such as chromosomal staining, to differentiate cells or cell components.
• Adjust, maintain, or repair laboratory equipment, such as microscopes.
• Assign tasks or coordinate task assignments to ensure adequate performance of laboratory activities.
• Attend continuing education programs that address laboratory issues.