Healthcare Practitioners
Cytotechnologists
Also called: Cytologist, Cytology Applications Specialist, Cytology Coordinator, Cytology Technical Specialist
US median pay
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not published
Job growth 2025–35
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Openings a year (US)
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Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.
What they do day to day
- Examine cell samples to detect abnormalities in the color, shape, or size of cellular components and patterns.
- Document specimens by verifying patients' and specimens' information.
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Service Orientation2.9/5
- Instructing2.9/5
- Coordination2.9/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.6/5
Knowledge
- Biology4.2/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.9/5
- English Language3.2/5
- Administrative3.0/5
- Chemistry2.7/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree50%
- Post-baccalaureate certificate36%
- Master's degree14%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.