Emerging occupations typically are the result of:
- An increased human need (for example, for early cancer detection)
- Technological advances
- Greater specialization within an occupation.
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 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.
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:
- Trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
- Location in Alberta
- Employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
- Occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
- Size of the occupation
In Alberta, the D211: Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists Assistants occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.7% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 74 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.