Cytotechnologist

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 3211.1: Medical Laboratory Technologists*
• 3211.2: Pathologists Assistants*

2006 NOC-S

• D211: Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists Assistants*
• D211: Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists Assistants*

2011 NOC

• 3211: Medical laboratory technologists*
• 3211: Medical laboratory technologists*

2016 NOC

• 3211: Medical laboratory technologists*
• 3211: Medical laboratory technologists*

*This NOC group is considered similar to the Cytotechnologist occupation. Because this occupation is only similar to the NOC group, related details and labour market information may not be accurate.

Cytotechnologists are specialized medical laboratory technologists. In general, they use microscopes to examine cell samples. They do this to detect and identify cellular abnormalities. They also:

• Prepare cell samples for examination and analysis
• Evaluate and interpret the shape, size, and colour of cells
• Report findings to supervising pathologists or physicians
• Perform manual and automated testing on clinical samples
• Help doctors prepare samples, such as with fine-needle aspiration biopsies
• Follow environmental, health, and safety procedures to handle and dispose of hazardous materials

Working hours for cytotechnologists vary depending on the type of laboratory. Research laboratories usually operate only on weekdays. In diagnostic clinical laboratories, cytotechnologists work all hours. They may do rotating shifts of days, evenings, and nights, including weekends and holidays.

Lab work involves considerable neck, shoulder, and back strain. This comes with sitting or standing at a microscope and using other equipment for long periods. They must follow standard safety precautions to avoid infection or injury. They must do this at all times, whether working with patients, specimens, or hazardous chemicals.

Cytotechnologists work for:

• Hospital laboratories
• Private laboratories
• Fertility clinics
• Post-secondary schools
• Research laboratories

Most job opportunities are in large urban centres. With further education and experience, cytotechnologists may move into supervisory positions in laboratories. They also may take administrative, teaching, or marketing positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 3211: Medical laboratory technologists* occupational group, 93.1% of people work in:

• Health Care and Social Services

In the 3212: Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants occupational group, 94.5% of people work in:

• Health Care and Social Services

*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Cytotechnologist occupation.

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment

Explore emerging workplace trends in Alberta that could affect this occupation.

In Alberta, the 3211: Medical laboratory technologists* occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.7% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 93 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

In Alberta, the 3212: Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.6% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 243 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Cytotechnologist occupation.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) website: csmls.org

College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Alberta website: cmlta.org

Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.