Cytotechnologists
Health Science · Diagnostic Services
Pay and outlook shown for
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Job outlook
No projection is published for this occupation on its own.
Alamo Colleges programs that lead here
1 program, with the college that teaches each.
Skills this career uses
The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Active Listening3.9
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Speaking3.4
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Active Learning3.5
- Writing3.4
What the work is
Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.
- 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.
Education people in this job have
Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.
- Bachelor's degree86%
- Master's degree14%
Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.
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