What skills does a cytotechnologist need?

A cytotechnologist needs 33 essential skills including hygiene in a health care setting, health care legislation, biosafety in biomedical laboratory, infection control, sterilization techniques. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace cytotechnologist jobs?

The AI disruption score for cytotechnologist is 33/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

HealthcareHealth professionalsISCO 2269

cytotechnologist

Cytotechnologists examines under a miscrocope samples of human cells obtained from various body parts such as the female reproductive tract, the lung or gastrointestinal tract, assist in identifying cell abnormality and disease such as cancer or infectious agents under supervision, following the orders of the doctor of medicine. The abnormal cells are being transferred to the pathologist for medical diagnosis. They may also work under the supervision of a biomedical scientist. They do not treat patients or assist in medical treatments.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (33)

hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipmen...health care legislationhealth care legislationThe patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.biosafety in biomedical laboratorybiosafety in biomedical laboratoryThe principles and methods for managing infectious materials in the laboratory environment, biosafety levels, classification and risk assessment, pathogenicity and toxicity of a living organism and th...infection controlinfection controlThe routes of transmission and methods of preventing spread of common and important infecting organisms together with the methods available for sterilisation and disinfection of pathogenic organisms i...sterilization techniquessterilization techniquesThe methods and techniques used to destroy or remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that can contaminate medical instruments or any type of material in a health care setting.cytopathologycytopathologyThe procedures to examine loose cells, which are spread and stained on glass slides using cytology techniques. The examination of cervical smear, sputum and gastric washing.fine-needle aspirationfine-needle aspirationThe type of biopsy through which a thin needle is inserted into an area of body tissue and analysed in the laboratory to determine whether the tissue is benign or malignant.medical informaticsmedical informaticsThe processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...microscopic techniquesmicroscopic techniquesThe techniques, functions and limitations of microscopy to visualise objects that cannot be seen with the normal eye.tissue cytogeneticstissue cytogeneticsThe procedure for visualising chromosomes in order to identify genetics defects such as chromosomal translocation.cervical screeningcervical screeningThe test conducted on cells coming from the women`s cervix used to determine pre-cancerous tissues. Cervical screening can be performed via the Papanicolaou test (Pap test) and liquid-based cytology.follow procedures to control substances hazardous to healthfollow procedures to control substances hazardous to healthAdhere to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) procedures for activities that involve hazardous substances, such as bacteria, allergens, waste oil, paint or brake fluids that result i...conduct cancer screening testsconduct cancer screening testsUndertake screening test at an early stage, before cancer symptoms appear, taking physical exams, laboratory tests, imaging procedures and genetic tests.perform gynecological examinationperform gynecological examinationConduct a thorough examination and screening tests of the female patient`s genitals, taking a pelvic pap smear to ensure there is no abnormality, such as cancerous tissue or sexually transmitted disea...recognize cytologic abnormalitiesrecognize cytologic abnormalitiesIdentify cytologic abnormal cases such as infectious agents, inflammatory processes and precancerous lesions in gynecologic and non-gynecologic specimens.label medical laboratory sampleslabel medical laboratory samplesCorrectly label samples of the medical laboratory with the accurate information, according to the implemented quality system in place.provide test results to medical staffprovide test results to medical staffRecord and pass test results to medical staff, who use the information to diagnose and treat patient`s illness.examine cell specimens microscopicallyexamine cell specimens microscopicallyPrepare and put the cell specimens received for examination on slides, stain and mark cellular changes and abnormalities.ensure public safety and securityensure public safety and securityImplement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.assist in the production of laboratory documentationassist in the production of laboratory documentationAssist in documenting laboratory work, especially paying attention to policies and standard operating procedures.apply safety procedures in laboratoryapply safety procedures in laboratoryMake sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.maintain medical laboratory equipmentmaintain medical laboratory equipmentRegularly check the condition of medical laboratory equipment used, clean, and perform maintenance operations, as necessary.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.manage infection control in the facilitymanage infection control in the facilityImplement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.check the received biological samplescheck the received biological samplesEnsure that the received biological samples such as blood and tissues, are correctly labeled, registered and contain the appropriate information about the patient.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.apply good clinical practicesapply good clinical practicesEnsure compliance with and application of the ethical and scientific quality standards used to conduct, record and report clinical trials that involve human participation, at an international level.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.carry out flow cytometrycarry out flow cytometryIntegrate and interpret data generated from flow cytometry histograms into the diagnostic, such as diagnose malignant lymphoma, using flow cytometry technology.

Optional (17)

medical terminologymedical terminologyThe meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.genomicsgenomicsThe field of study in relation to whole genomes of organisms, as well as their genetic or epigenetic sequence of information. It aims to provide knowledge about the downstream of biological products a...pedagogypedagogyThe discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.biostatisticsbiostatisticsThe methods used to apply statistics in biology-related topics.transplantationtransplantationThe principles of organ and tissue transplantation, the principles of transplant immunology, immunosuppression, donation and procurement of tissue, and indications for organ transplantation.medical geneticsmedical geneticsThe diagnosis, types and treatment of hereditary disorders; a type of genetics which refers to the application to medical care.urolithiasis in the urinary tracturolithiasis in the urinary tractThe causes of stone formation in the urinary tract, the different types of stone composition and the treatment methods for urolithiasis and different methods for voiding the upper urinary tract in the...address side effects of menopauseaddress side effects of menopauseAddress side effects of menopause such as fatigue, body temperature changes, mood swings, depression and weight gain. Search for symptoms of health problems that can be caused by menopause, such as he...deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.observe confidentialityobserve confidentialityObserve the set of rules establishing the nondisclosure of information except to another authorised person.interpret urology diagnostic testsinterpret urology diagnostic testsPerform diagnostic procedures relevant to urology such as urinalysis, semen analysis, prostatic fluid examination, ultrasonography of the bladder, kidneys, and prostate.perform virological testperform virological testSelect, perform and interpret relevant virological tests related to eye infections, adenovirus, herpes simplex virus, chlamydia, etc.conduct health related researchconduct health related researchConduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.coordinate the procurement of organs for transplantationcoordinate the procurement of organs for transplantationManage all the required services and administrative tasks required to handle and obtain cells, tissues or organs for transplantation purposes.interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.