Cytotechnologists examine cells under the microscope to look for abnormalities or clues that indicate a cell is malignant, premalignant or diseased. These cells come from pap smears, sputums, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, other body cavity fluids, fine needle aspirates, and other sources. They also perform a variety of specialized techniques to identify specific tumor types. They work in hospitals, private laboratories, and universities-usually in a pathology department under the medical direction of a pathologist. With experience, they may choose work in management, education and research.
Experience is required for positions in education and management.
Cytotechnologists must sit at a microscope and concentrate for long periods of time. Since they work with very little supervision, cytotechnologists must make independent decisions and take responsibility for them. Above all, cytotechnologists should have a strong sense of responsibility. They alone will have the responsibility for making final diagnoses on most of the specimens that they examine. Cytotechnology is a highly specialized field.