What Do Cytotechnologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Cytotechnologists stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices. They also submit slides with abnormal cell structures to pathologists for further examination.

Other tasks include:

• Examine cell samples to detect abnormalities in the color, shape, or size of cellular components and patterns.
• Provide patient clinical data or microscopic findings to assist pathologists in the preparation of pathology reports.
• Document specimens by verifying patients’ and specimens’ information.
• Maintain effective laboratory operations by adhering to standards of specimen collection, preparation, or laboratory safety.
• 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.

We asked Cytotechnologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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74% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Cytotechnologists document specimens by verifying patients’ and specimens’ information. They examine cell samples to detect abnormalities in the color, shape, or size of cellular components and patterns.

A typical day for a Cytotechnologist will also include:

• Provide patient clinical data or microscopic findings to assist pathologists in the preparation of pathology reports.
• Examine specimens, using microscopes, to evaluate specimen quality.
• Submit slides with abnormal cell structures to pathologists for further examination.
• Assign tasks or coordinate task assignments to ensure adequate performance of laboratory activities.
• Prepare cell samples by applying special staining techniques, such as chromosomal staining, to differentiate cells or cell components.

We asked some Cytotechnologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	58% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	8% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	69% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	69% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Cytotechnologists also attend continuing education programs that address laboratory issues. They may also assist pathologists or other physicians to collect cell samples by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy or other method.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Cytotechnologists Adjust, maintain, or repair laboratory equipment, such as microscopes. They might also Examine specimens to detect abnormal hormone conditions.

In addition, they Assign tasks or coordinate task assignments to ensure adequate performance of laboratory activities.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Prepare cell samples by applying special staining techniques, such as chromosomal staining, to differentiate cells or cell components.

To some Cytotechnologists, it is also their responsibility to Maintain effective laboratory operations by adhering to standards of specimen collection, preparation, or laboratory safety.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Cytotechnologist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm

http://www.ascls.org/

http://www.cytopathology.org/

http://www.naacls.org/