Cytotechnologists
Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.
Sample of reported job titles:
Cytologist, Cytology Applications Specialist, Cytology Coordinator, Cytology Technical Specialist, Cytotechnologist
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- 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.
Technology Skills
- Expert system software:Ansible software
- Medical 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 software,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
- Office suite software:Microsoft Office
- Spreadsheet software:Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software:Microsoft Word
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information:Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Working with Computers:Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Detailed Work Activities
- Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
- Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.
- Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
- Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
- Follow protocols or regulations for healthcare activities.
Work Context
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:95% responded"Every day"
- Physical Proximity:77% responded"Slightly close (e.g., shared office)"
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate:77% responded"Extremely important"
- Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions:73% responded"Continually or almost continually"
- Importance of Repeating Same Tasks:73% responded"Extremely important"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Complex Problem Solving:Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Judgment and Decision Making:Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Knowledge
- Biology:Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- Medicine and Dentistry: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:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Administrative:Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 50%Bachelor's Degree
- 36%Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
- 14%Master's Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Near Vision:The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Inductive Reasoning:The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Interests
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Recognition:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Independence:Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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