Healthcare facilities all over the United States partner with Barton Healthcare Staffing to find capable allied health professionals. With the healthcare clinician shortage plaguing the country, temporary staffing agencies like BHS provide staff for struggling areas. One type of laboratory technician in demand are cytotechnologists.
What is cytotechnology?
Cytotechnology is “the microscopic study of body cells to detect cancer, viral and bacterial infections, and other abnormal conditions.” Examining human cells for anomalies allows pathologists to determine the issue and possible cause. Typically, this is one of the first steps when handling patients and treating them.
Cytotechnologists, or cytologists, aid in the study of human cells with a microscope. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) will officially refer to cytotechnologists as cytologists in 2025. This change comes from an update to their standards and guidelines, meant to acknowledge the scope of practice for cytotechnologists.
Oftentimes, they work in hospitals, private laboratories, or university research centers. Other staff they may work with are pathologists, to examine cells from various parts of the human body.
Cytotechnologists perform a number of procedures, but a common one is the Pap test. This involves collecting cells from the cervix and examining them for abnormalities. Typically, cytologists search for signs of cancer or congenital anomalies.
How do I become a cytotechnologist/cytologist?
Those who wish to become cytologists need to obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. They must also successfully complete a cytotechnologist program accredited by the CAAHEP within the last five years.
After gaining the necessary prerequisites, college graduates can take the cytologist examination, conducted by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with a time frame of 2.5 hours.
The exam contains four major content areas:
- Gynecological cytology
- Non-gynecological cytology (respiratory system, genitourinary system, and body cavity fluids)
- Fine needle aspiration and other
- Laboratory operations
While the exam is completed in-person at a testing site, it does utilize computer adaptive testing (CAT). This means that as the examinee answers questions correctly, each one gets harder and harder. Incorrectly answering a question makes the following one easier. In this way, the test changes based on each examinee’s strengths and weaknesses.
To study for the exam, the ASCP recommends utilizing “Cytopathology Review Guide 4th Edition,” by Blair Holladay. The book covers the major content areas in the exam, and posits over 1,400 questions and 500 images.
How much does a cytotechnologist/cytologist make?
According to a report from the ASCP, the mean hourly wage for cytologists is $39.84, or about $82,867 a year. But the cytotechnologist salary varies by the level of the individual as well.
Cytologists on the staff level earn about $80,139, leads/coordinators earn $90.487, and supervisors earn about $95,599. The range of salaries reflects the amount of movement for cytologists. Those who wish to earn more have the opportunity to take on more responsibilities.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates employment of clinical laboratory technologists/technicians will grow 5% from 2022 to 2032. Basically, about 24,000 openings for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians will appear each year.
Although not specific to cytologists, their estimate reflects the general job outlook for specialty roles within laboratories. The general consensus is that cytologists and cytotechnologists are in demand.
What are the continuing education requirements for cytotechnologists/cytologists?
The ASCP offers the Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) to help technicians and technologists to maintain their certification. Every three years, cytologists must complete 36 points in total:
- 8 in cytology
- 1 in laboratory or patient safety
- 1 in medical ethics
- 26 points allocated in lab specialty, management, education, or other related laboratories areas of interest
The CMP application fee is $100, and the CMP reinstatement fee for expired certificates is $135. If technologists carry multiple certifications, they may get a reduced fee of $20. This only applies if the certificates have the same expiration date or are within three months of each other.
Become a travel cytotechnologist/cytologist with BHS
Ready to find a traveling position as a cytotechnologist? Look at our job board to see cytotechnologist jobs all over the nation. Or to learn more, reach out to one of our recruiters today!