Cytology

Cytology:

cy·tol·o·gythe study of the microscopic appearance of cells, especially for the diagnosis of abnormalities and malignancies.

Jobs

Cytotechnologist

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians held about 328,100 jobs in 2008. More than half of jobs were in hospitals. Most of the remaining jobs were in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories. A small proportion was in educational services and in all other ambulatory healthcare services.

Average Income

In October 2007 the average salary in the United States for cytotechnologists was $71,774. The minimum salary was $45,000 and the maximum was $125,000.

Education

To practice as a cytotechnologist one must earn their bachelor’s degree in cytology or a science-based field. There are certain prerequisites required to be accepted into a cytology program, such as biology, chemistry, microbiology, anatomy and physiology. Often these prerequisites are taken over the first two years of college so that the last two years are focused specifically on cytology.

SchoolsAuburn University Montgomery

University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Loma Linda University - Contact Marlene Ota

UCLA School of Medicine - Contact Mary Levin

Mercy Medical Center

Clarian Pathology Laboratory

University of Kansas Medical Center

Nicholls State University

Berkshire Medical Center

Hutzel Hospital Cytotechnologist Program

Mayo Clinic/ School of Health Sciences

Saint Louis University/Doisy College of Health Sciences

Univerisity of Mississippi Medical Center

Central Piedmont Community College

University of North Carolina at Chapel HillDept of Medicine & Science

University of North Dakota -Grand Forks

University of Nebraska Medical Center

University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey - North

Albany College of Pharmacy Cytotechnologist ProgramMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer CenterStony Brook UniversitySUNY Upstate Medical UniversityAkron General Medical CenterAnisa Kanbour School of Cytopathology/Univ. Health Center of PittsburgThomas Jefferson UniversityUniversity of Puerto RicoUniversity of Rhode IslandMedical University of South CarolinaUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterBrooke Army Medical Center -Ft. Sam HoustonUniversity of Texas M D Anderson Cancer CenterUniversity of Utah Cytotechnologist ProgramOld Dominion University Cytotechnologist ProgramFletcher Allen Health CareMarshfield ClinicCamcare Health Education and Research Institute (INACTIVE)Northern Alberta Institute of TechnologyBritish Columbia Cancer AgencyWinnipeg Regional Health Authority-Health Sciences CenterQueen Elizabeth II/Dalhousie School of Health SciencesThe Michener Insitute for Applied Health SciencesCollege de RosemontSaskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology

Demand

Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow by 14 percent between 2008 and 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. The volume of laboratory tests continues to increase with both population growth and the development of new types of tests.

A day in the life…

Clinical laboratory personnel are trained to work with infectious specimens. When proper methods of infection control and sterilization are followed, few hazards exist. Protective masks, gloves, and goggles often are necessary to ensure the safety of laboratory personnel.Laboratory workers may spend a great deal of time on their feet.Hours of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians vary with the size and type of employment setting. In large hospitals or in independent laboratories that operate continuously, personnel usually work the day, evening, or night shift and may work weekends and holidays. Laboratory personnel in small facilities may work on rotating shifts, rather than on a regular shift. In some facilities, laboratory personnel are on call several nights a week or on weekends, in case of an emergency.

References

www.dictionary.com/cytology

http://www.alliedhealthworld.com/cytotechnologist-salary.html

www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/.../C-Cytology-School-List.xls

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos096.htm#outlook