Occupation · SOC 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.
Median wage
$54,270
$36,380–$87,540
Projected growth
+1.7%
Slower than average
Annual openings
600
per year
Employed (US)
3,124,620
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
161 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingSpeakingWritingActive Learning
Knowledge areas
BiologyMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageAdministrative
Technology & tools
Expert system softwareMedical softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Examine cell samples to detect abnormalities in the color, shape, or size of cellular components andDocument specimens by verifying patients' and specimens' information.Submit slides with abnormal cell structures to pathologists for further examination.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Cell sample slides — examine under direct supervision to identify basic abnormalities in color, shape, and size of cellular components in a clinical laboratory setting.Patient and specimen information — verify and document accurately following established protocols in a regulated healthcare laboratory.Papanicolaou smear specimens — prepare and label according to standard procedures under the guidance of a senior cytotechnologist.Laboratory microscopes — operate and calibrate under supervision to evaluate specimen quality in an accredited cytology laboratory.Abnormal cell structures — recognize and flag for submission to a supervising pathologist during routine screening workflows.Laboratory safety standards — adhere to established specimen collection and handling protocols under direct oversight in a clinical cytology unit.Microscopic findings — record observations in structured formats using office suite and word processing software as directed.Fine needle aspiration procedure — assist pathologists during specimen collection by preparing equipment and materials in a clinical setting.Biological and medical knowledge — apply foundational understanding of cell biology to interpret basic cytological patterns under close supervision.Reading comprehension skills — use to review laboratory protocols, patient records, and procedural guidelines in a hospital or reference laboratory.
developing
Cell sample abnormalities — detect and classify independently across routine gynecological and non-gynecological specimens in a clinical cytology laboratory.Specimen documentation workflow — manage patient and specimen verification processes with reduced oversight using medical software systems in a multi-pathologist practice.Body fluid and FNA samples — prepare, stain, and analyze with routine proficiency to identify abnormal conditions in an outpatient or hospital laboratory.Microscopic evaluation — conduct systematic quality assessments of specimen adequacy and cellular morphology with growing consistency across varied sample types.Abnormal slide submissions — prioritize and escalate cases to pathologists efficiently, providing organized preliminary observations to support diagnostic workflows.Laboratory operations standards — independently maintain compliance with CAP and CLIA regulations for specimen collection, preparation, and safety in a certified laboratory.Clinical data summaries — compile and communicate relevant patient history and microscopic findings to pathologists using structured reporting formats.Fine needle aspiration assistance — support attending pathologists during FNA biopsies with reliable technique and appropriate patient interaction in a clinical environment.Critical thinking and judgment — apply to distinguish benign from potentially malignant cellular changes during independent slide review in routine laboratory throughput.Time management practices — organize daily screening workloads to meet laboratory turnaround time benchmarks in a high-volume cytology department.
proficient
Complex cellular abnormalities — evaluate autonomously across the full spectrum of gynecological, respiratory, urinary, and FNA specimens in a tertiary care laboratory.Diagnostic accuracy and quality — ensure through independent review of borderline and non-routine cases, applying advanced inductive and deductive reasoning in pathology support roles.Pathology report preparation — contribute detailed microscopic findings and clinical correlations that directly inform final diagnoses across diverse specimen types.Expert system and medical software — leverage proficiently to manage case data, track outcomes, and integrate findings into laboratory information systems.FNA biopsy procedures — assist in or independently perform rapid on-site adequacy evaluation for fine needle aspirations in interventional radiology or clinic settings.Specimen quality benchmarks — assess and enforce laboratory-wide standards by monitoring preparation and staining consistency across all cytotechnologist outputs.Complex problem solving — apply to resolve ambiguous cytological cases by synthesizing clinical history, imaging data, and morphological evidence in multidisciplinary contexts.Active learning in emerging diagnostics — integrate new cytomorphological criteria and ancillary test correlations into daily practice within a specialized cytology service.Professional communication — deliver precise verbal and written consultations to pathologists, clinicians, and laboratory staff on cytological findings and case prioritization.Visual color discrimination and near vision acuity — employ with expert precision to differentiate subtle chromatin patterns and cytoplasmic features in challenging diagnostic specimens.
advanced
Cytology laboratory program — direct and set strategic quality standards for specimen workflows, reporting turnaround, and diagnostic accuracy at an institutional or system level.Cytotechnologist staff and trainees — mentor, evaluate, and develop professional competencies through structured education programs in an academic medical center or reference laboratory.Laboratory accreditation and compliance — lead CAP, TJC, and CLIA regulatory readiness efforts, authoring policies and corrective action plans for the cytology division.Diagnostic innovation initiatives — champion adoption of digital pathology platforms, AI-assisted screening tools, and molecular ancillary testing to advance cytology service capabilities.Interdisciplinary pathology consultation — serve as principal cytology expert in tumor boards, multidisciplinary clinics, and quality improvement committees across the healthcare organization.Organizational quality metrics — design and monitor laboratory performance dashboards using spreadsheet and expert system software to drive continuous improvement at scale.Research and evidence translation — lead or contribute to peer-reviewed investigations of cytomorphological criteria, publishing findings that advance the field of cytopathology.FNA and interventional cytology program — establish procedural competency standards and training curricula for cytotechnologists and pathology residents performing on-site adequacy evaluations.Workforce and succession planning — assess departmental staffing needs, recruit advanced-practice cytotechnologists, and build talent pipelines aligned with organizational growth objectives.Health system cytology strategy — advise executive leadership on resource allocation, technology investment, and service-line development to optimize cytopathology's contribution to patient outcomes.
Also known as
7 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
CytotechnologistCytology Applications SpecialistCytopathology TechnologistCytologistCytology CoordinatorCertified CytotechnologistCytology Technical Specialist