Cytotechnologists are licensed laboratory professionals who possess strong attention to detail and a passion for improving the health of patients – many of whom they may never even see.

Before turning on a microscope, cytotechnologists begin by reviewing a patient’s history to see if there are areas where they should focus their attention. Next, they’ll look at a slide of a cellular specimen under the microscope attempting to spot any cellular changes that inform diagnoses ranging from benign/normal, to infections, precancerous lesions and cancer.

To help aid in a definitive diagnosis, cytotechnologists may perform and interpret additional diagnostic techniques, enabling them to go beyond the cellular level and explore what is occurring at the molecular level (this is molecular cytology).

Following this process, cytotechnologists will arrive at a diagnosis that often serves as the basis for how the patient will be treated.