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Career Details

29-2011.02 - Cytotechnologists


Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
1
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
164,800
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
187,900
Estimate
Change in Employment
+23,100
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+14%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Examine cell samples to detect abnormalities in the color, shape, or size of cellular components and patterns.
  • Examine specimens, using microscopes, to evaluate specimen quality.
  • Prepare and analyze samples, such as Papanicolaou (PAP) smear body fluids and fine needle aspirations (FNAs), to detect abnormal conditions.
  • 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.
  • Document specimens by verifying patients' and specimens' information.
  • Maintain effective laboratory operations by adhering to standards of specimen collection, preparation, or laboratory safety.
  • Prepare cell samples by applying special staining techniques, such as chromosomal staining, to differentiate cells or cell components.
  • Submit slides with abnormal cell structures to pathologists for further examination.
  • 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.
Supplemental
  • Examine specimens to detect abnormal hormone conditions.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Biology
  • 85%
    Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
 Medicine and Dentistry
  • 77%
    Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
 English Language
  • 65%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Clerical
  • 61%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Chemistry
  • 55%
    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 53%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 50%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Histology equipment
  • Automatic coverslippers
  • Automatic slide stainers
  • Automatic tissue processors
  • Paraffin dispensers
 General laboratory glassware and plasticware and supplies
  • Beakers
  • Conical flasks
  • Funnels
  • Measuring cylinders
  • Round bottom flasks
 Test Tubes
  • Centrifuge tubes
 Viewing and observing instruments and accessories
  • Compound light microscopes
  • Confocal microscopes
  • Fluorescent microscopes
  • Laboratory binocular microscopes
  • Stereo microscopes
  • Stereoscopic magnifiers
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal computers
 Cameras
  • Digital cameras
 Laboratory cooling equipment
  • Laboratory refrigerators
 Laboratory baths
  • Laboratory water baths
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Business function specific software
  • Ansible softwareHOT
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Industry specific software
  • Antek HealthWare LabDAQ
  • Aspyra CyberLAB
  • Cerner Millennium PathNet
  • Clinical Software Solutions CLIN1 Suite
  • ClinLab LIS
  • Comp Pro Med Polytech
  • CPSI CPSI System
  • CSS CLS-2000
  • Custom Software Systems StarLab
  • Elekta Impac Software IntelliLab
  • EpicLab Laboratory Information System
  • eTeleNext LIS
  • Fletcher-Flora Health Care Systems FFlex eSuite LIS
  • Fletcher-Flora Health Care Systems LabPak LIS
  • Fortius Lab Systems Clinical LIS
  • GE Healthcare Centricity Laboratory
  • Healthvision TDSynergy LIS
  • HEX Laboratory Systems LAB/HEX
  • Laboratory information system LIS
  • LabSoft LabNet
  • McKesson Horizon Lab
  • MEDITECH softwareHOT
  • Multidata Computer Systems MultiTech
  • NeTLIMS AutoLIMS Core Lab
  • Omnitech OMNILAB
  • Orchard Software Orchard Harvest LIS
  • Prognosis Innovation Healthcare ChartAccess
  • Psyche Systems LabWeb
  • Quality Software Systems LabHealth
  • SCC Soft Computer SoftLab
  • Schuyler House SchuyLab
  • Seacoast Laboratory Data Systems SurroundLab Plus
  • Siemens NOVIUS Lab
  • STARLIMS
  • Sunquest Information Systems Sunquest Laboratory
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College