Cytotechnologists: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview Cytotechnologists are special types of medical technologists or laboratory specialists who study cells visually. With the aid of specialized staining procedures and the different types of microscopes, they study the cells to diagnose abnormalities in appearance. The specific abnormalities that they look for are changes in color, shapes, as well as size and numbers of cells that may indicate a presence of a disease. They are not only confined to the laboratories studying those cells but also they may be seen assisting the physicians with the collection of the tissue samples from their patients. Most of the cytotechnologist work in medical laboratories as well as on research institutions.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
If you wish to build a career in this industry, you can prepare yourself as early as high school by taking as many science courses as possible. These courses or subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and Physiology to name a few. To be able to get in the program on cytotechnology, there are two routes that can be taken. First is to take a bachelo'r degree in life sciences or B.S. Biology and the like and then enter a two year cytotechnology program in the hospital or in any of the accredited institution. The other option to take is to transfer to a cytotechnology program after completing at least 3 years of an undergraduate study in life sciences. Any of these options will provide an aspiring cytotechnolgist an adequate training for the upcoming profession.
Skills and Abilities
One of the most important skills and the bread and butter of being a cytotechnologist is the technical/manipulative skills. Aside fron being analytical and mastering the science of cell anatomy and physiology, the application by way of microscopic studies is crucial in performing the duties and tasks involved in this job. A keen eye and a strong attention to detail is a must. In addition, oral and written communication skills will give the professional an advantage in establishing good working relationships with the co-workers and the clients.
Duties
Most of their workday is spent in the laboratory. Their duties start off taking requests from the hospital, physicians or from the researchers or individual clients. They will then evaluate what test should be done and the type of equipment and techniques that should be employed, afterwhich the materials will be prepared. In case that the specimen are requested to be obtained by the cytotechnologist himself, he will then go to the patient, take the specimen, prepare the slides and preserve the tissues.
These will then be brought to the laboratory for examination. They examine the characteristics such as the color, size, number, arrangement, unusual characteristics and shape of the cells under a specialized microscope and staining procedures . All the examinations will be verified by a co-laboratory technician, pathologist or supervisors for more accuracy. After verification, they will then create reports for each and relay the results to the physicians, researchers and individual clients.
Earnings and Job Outlook
The range of salary for the cytotechnologists starts off from 32,000 U.S. dollars to around 46,000 U.S. dollars per annum. Others who are in supervisory positions more especially in research institutions can earn around and over 65,000 U.S. dollars yearly. The job outlook is also expected to grow faster than the average as more and more people are concerned about detecting cancers earlier and there is a growing number of screeing procedures that have been suggested by the health officials to be done yearly and as needed, to diagnose early stages of cancers and related disorders.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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