Cytologists work in clinical laboratories and assist medical scientists in detecting disease in tissue samples. They collect samples from doctors, label and store them, prepare microscope slides, and help with experiments. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, as well as at least one year of supervised training, is usually required to become a cytologist. In addition, in order to obtain a regional license, a new cytologist must typically pass a detailed examination.
A person interested in becoming a cytologist can apply for admission to a four-year university’s cytology or biology program. An undergraduate can learn about the structure and function of different types of cells taking several advanced courses in life science, chemistry, and physiology. Many students also take communications, statistics, and computer science classes to hone skills that will be useful in their future careers.
Students interested in becoming cytologists can gain experience applying for university research assistant positions or internships at local hospitals while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. A research assistant has the chance to work in modern laboratories with science professors, designing and conducting detailed experiments. As an intern, a student can gain valuable hands-on experience while being supervised experienced cytologists and pathologists. Gaining experience can improve a person’s chances of landing a job after graduation.
After earning a degree, a person can sit for a written licensing exam to become a certified cytologist. Exams, given regional or national governing boards, assess a cytologist’s understanding of common terminology and techniques. A person can improve his or her credentials and chances of finding work pursuing voluntary certification from an accredited national organization in addition to earning a license. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) awards certification to successful test takers in the United States. To certify new cytologists, most other countries have organizations similar to the ASCP.
A full-time job as a licensed cytologist can be found in a general hospital, clinic, or private specialist’s office. New employees are typically given several weeks of intensive training followed about a year of supervised practice before being allowed to work independently in most settings. With enough experience, a cytologist supervisor at a clinical laboratory may be possible. Many cytologists choose to continue their education to become pathologists.