How to Become a Cytotechnologist in 5 Steps
Explore the career requirements for cytotechnologists. Read the facts about job duties, education requirements, licensing and employment outlook to determine if this is the right career for you.
What Does a Cytotechnologist Do?
Cytotechnologists, a type of clinical lab technologists, conduct lab tests involving human cells, especially for detecting cancer. Using microscopes they analyzes changes in cells. They then use their discoveries along with patients medical data to assess whether there is a possibility of threat. If there is, they pass their conclusions onto pathologists for investigation. This career requires professionals to be able to operate and maintain laboratory equipment, and works spaces must be kept clean to avoid contamination. Given the importance of their work, it must follow strict regulations and is sometimes double-checked by other professionals. Take a look at the following chart for an overview of how to enter this field.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Required</b></td><td>Bachelor's degree, post-baccalaureate certificate</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b></td><td>Cytotechnology, medical technology, clinical lab technology,</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Responsibilities</b></td><td>Collect, prepare, test & analyze human cells for disease & medical conditions; communicate findings to pathologist; maintain lab & equipment</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Licensure/Certification Required</b></td><td>Some states & employers require licensing &/or certification; specifics vary</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td> 11%* (<i>for all clinical laboratory technologists and technicians</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2021)</b></td><td> $72,784**</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **PayScale.com.</i>
</p><h2 id="section---WhatIsACytotechnologist">What Is a Cytotechnologist?</h2><p>Cytotechnologists specialize in the extraction and examination of human cells for disease, damage and malignancies. They're specifically trained in cancer detection. Your main duties include assisting with tissue collection; labeling and logging tissue specimens; preparing samples for analysis; examining samples using PAP smears, fine needle aspiration, microscopy and other methods; and reporting examination results to pathologists. You may also clean and perform light maintenance on lab equipment and supervise lab technicians.
</p><h3 id="section---Step1GetTraining">Step 1: Get Training</h3><p>Figures from O*Net Online show that about 50% of cytotechnologists have a bachelor's degree and 36% have earned a post-baccalaureate certificate (<i>www.onetonline.org</i>). Bachelor's degree programs in cytotechnology train you to identify abnormalities in human cells using fine needle aspiration and other lab techniques. Many programs devote their first 2-3 years to preparatory courses in biology, cell biology, chemistry and human physiology.
</p><p>Cytology-specific courses might include cytological lab methods, molecular diagnostics and respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary and breast cytology. Some programs include a clinical practicum. For certification and licensing purposes, select a program accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Accredited post-baccalaureate certificate programs are also available for those who have their undergraduate degree in a discipline other than cytotechnology.
</p><h3 id="section---Step2ApplyForCertification">Step 2: Apply for Certification</h3><p>You can improve your employment prospects by obtaining Cytotechnologist (CT) certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathology (<i>www.ascp.org</i>). To be eligible, you need to have earned at least a bachelor's degree and completed an accredited cytotechnology training program. The CT certification exam tests eight areas of knowledge, including gynecological and non-gynecological cytology, the respiratory system, body cavity fluids and lab operations.
</p><h3 id="section---Step3ObtainALicense">Step 3: Obtain a License</h3><p>According to the American Society of Cytopathology (ASCP), as of September 2011 nine states and Puerto Rico required cytotechnologists to have a license, and eight others were considering a license requirement (<i>www.cytopathology.org</i>). To obtain a license, you typically need to earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited school and pass a licensing exam. Most states accept the results of the ASCP's certification exam.
</p><h3 id="section---Step4PursueEmployment">Step 4: Pursue Employment</h3><p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't provide specific figures for cytotechnologists, but in the larger category of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, approximately 335,500 people held jobs in 2020 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Employment was projected to increase by 11% over the 2020-2030 decade. Hospitals are your most likely employer, followed by medical and diagnostic labs. Private physicians, universities and federal agencies may also provide opportunities. <i>PayScale.com</i> reported in 2021 that the median annual salary for cytotechnologists was $72,784.
</p><h3 id="section---Step5AdvanceThroughContinuingEducation"> Step 5: Advance Through Continuing Education</h3><p>The ASCP provides a higher level of certification, Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT), which can help you earn promotions to lab supervisory positions. To qualify to test for this credential, you need at least three years' experience in an accredited laboratory. To maintain both the initial and specialist certifications, you're required to fulfill continuing education through the ASCP's Certification Maintenance Program. You can earn continuing education points through additional education in cytotechnology and management. Cytology master's programs provide you with the advanced technical and diagnostic skills tested when you apply for specialist certification.
</p><h2 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h2><p>There are a number of specializations medical and clinical laboratory technologists can pursue. Immunology technologists make analysis of the immune systems and their abilities to react to foreign materials. Microbiology technologists analyzes microorganisms such as bacterial. Molecular biology technologists examine complex proteins and nucleic acids. Outside of the medical field laboratory technicians can be found in biology labs, chemistry labs and veterinary clinics.</p>