Cytologist, Medical Laboratory Specialist
Interest in supervising and training other medical laboratory technicians and laboratory workers; and in performing blood group, type and compatibility tests for transfusion purposes; may supervise and train other medical laboratory technologists
Interest in analyzing results of laboratory tests; and in establishing procedures for the analyses of specimens and for medical laboratory experiments
Interest in precision working with laboratory equipment to conduct chemical analyses of blood, urine, cerebro-spinal and other body fluids, and to prepare tissue sections for microscopic examinations using techniques to demonstrate special cellular tissue elements and other characteristics; may perform the duties of a pathologist's assistant in some hospitals
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Interest in assisting pathologists to prepare for autopsies by obtaining patients' medical records and arranging for radiographic examinations; and in cleaning and maintaining autopsy, surgical and other equipment
Interest in precision working with autopsy and surgical equipment to weigh and photograph organs and specimens; may perform the duties of a medical laboratory technologist in some hospitals
Interest in compiling findings from chemical analyses of collected tissue specimens
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Cytotechnologists are specialized medical laboratory technologists. In general, cytotechnologists:
Working hours vary depending on the type of laboratory in which cytotechnologists work. Research laboratories usually operate weekdays only. In diagnostic clinical laboratories, cytotechnologists may work rotating shifts of days, evenings and nights including weekends and holidays.
Lab work involves considerable neck, shoulder and back strain from working with microscopes and other equipment for long periods of time. Most work involves sitting, although some work may be done while standing.
Standard safety precautions must be followed at all times when working with patients, specimens or hazardous chemicals to avoid infection or injury.
Cytotechnologists need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy taking a methodical approach to their work, analyzing results and establishing procedures, and using computers and specialized instruments for accurate and precise testing.
The minimum educational requirement to work as a cytotechnologist is a two year diploma in cytotechnology.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Outside of Alberta, the following Canadian schools offer post-secondary programs related to cytotechnology:
Medical laboratory technologists collect and analyze biological samples, perform quality control procedures and communicate results that have been critically evaluated to ensure accuracy and reliability, and teach, manage and conduct research in the science and techniques of medical laboratory technology.
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Medical Laboratory Technologists Profession Regulation, registration with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Alberta (CMLTA) is mandatory if you meet identified registration requirements and conduct laboratory tests that are used by other regulated members to provide professional services directly to the public, teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession, or supervise registered members who provide services to the public. Only registered members may call themselves Medical Laboratory Technologists.
Medical laboratory technologists may be registered as a General MLT, Diagnostic Cytology MLT or Clinical Genetics MLT depending on their education and the corresponding national certification exam. Registration requires successful completion of: (1) an approved two year diploma or bachelor's degree program in medical laboratory science, and (2) an approved examination. Applicants who have been out of practice for a period of time also may have to demonstrate that they are currently competent to practice. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the CMLTA website. For certification information, visit the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science website.
Medical laboratory technologists who are registered by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered practitioners in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
To find more information on the certification process for internationally educated medical laboratory technologists, see Medical Laboratory Technologist Registration Process on the AlbertaCanada.com website.
College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Alberta
301, 9426 - 51 Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6E 5A6
Phone: 780-435-5452
Toll-free phone number: 1-800-265-9351
Fax number: 780-437-1442
Email: mailto:info@cmlta.org
Website: www.cmlta.org
Emerging occupations typically are the result of:
Often there are too few people working in an emerging occupation to gather survey information. Therefore, it can be difficult to define advancement opportunities or employment outlook. Some Albertans already are working in this emerging occupation but future demand for cytotechnologists is unknown.
Cytotechnologists are employed by:
Most work opportunities are located in large urban centres. With further education and experience, cytotechnologists may move into supervisory positions in laboratories or into administrative, teaching or marketing positions.
Cytotechnologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3211: Medical laboratory technologists and pathologists' assistants. In Alberta, 89% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF) industry.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Often there are too few people working in an emerging occupation to gather survey information. Therefore, no current salary data is available for this occupation.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $32.91 | $35.64 | $33.48 | $32.91 |
| Overall | $38.97 | $45.80 | $41.56 | $40.58 |
| Top | $43.33 | $49.26 | $44.49 | $43.33 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) website: www.csmls.org
College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Alberta website: cmlta.org
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 02, 2016. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.