ies

er
sS
There are many promising occupations Programs

ts
ay
in the health field. Prepare yourself

more information

hw
Dalhousie University

is
for growing career opportunities in

t
Search School of Health Sciences

Pa

g
cytotechnology. www.dal.ca

lo
er
re
Professional Organizations

Ca

o
n
Canadian Society for Medical

ch
Laboratory Science (CSMLS)

te
www.csmls.org
Nova Scotia College of Medical

to
Cytotechnologists are specialized Laboratory Technologists

cy
medical laboratory technologists who www.nscmlt.org
what they do

spend the majority of their day using

a compound microscope to analyse
Career and Job Prospects
prepared slides from various tissue Nova Scotia Career and
sources to detect and diagnose cancer Labour Market Information
and other diseases at the cellular level. For up-to-date information visit
They combine scientific knowledge, www.novascotiacareeroptions.ca
cellular characteristics, and the Job Futures
patient’s clinical history to help the
pathologist (doctor that specializes Canada’s National Career and
in the nature and causes of disease)
Education Planning Tool
www.jobfutures.ca
prepare a detailed report for doctors
and other members of the health care Human Resources and
team. Treatment plans are developed
for patients based on these reports.
Skill Development
National Occupation Classification (NOC)
www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
NOC Code Search
Medical Lab Technologist: 3211

s
nt
de
tu
lS
oo
Sch
gh
Hi
or
nf
tio
ma
orf
In
 needed work courses

where they

required
personal skills
Cytotechnologists require strong Most cytotechnologists work in hospitals High School
accuracy and precision skills in order or private laboratories. Some work in
To prepare for a cytotechnologist program,
to detect microscopic changes in cells. research centres.
complete a high school diploma with at
Cytotechnologists must be able to work least five university preparatory courses at
independently and be a responsible the grade 12 level including English, math,
member of the health care team. biology, chemistry, and computer science.
People who succeed have skills and abilities Post Secondary
that include the following:
Post-secondary requirements for medical
earn

what they
excellent problem-solving and technologists are continually changing; see
decision-making skills websites on the back of this brochure for
precision Average hourly income: $27.75 up-to-date information. Post-Secondary
excellent speaking and writing skills Minimum: $18.75 programs have high admission standards—
teamwork skills Maximum: $32.00 high marks in high school are important.
organizational skills Currently, cytotechnologists may complete
technological skills a diploma or bachelor’s degree in health
ability to work well under pressure science with supervised practical or clinical
training.
After graduation, cytotechnologists
must complete the Canadian Society for
Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS)
national exams. To practise in Nova Scotia,
graduates must obtain a licence to practise
from the Nova Scotia College of Medical
Laboratory Technologists (NSCMLT).
For admission and licensing requirements,
visit the links on the back of this brochure.

People of diverse identities, back-

There are various types of medical technologists and therapists. Some other types of technologists and grounds, and experiences find
therapists include careers in cytotechnology to be
Medical laboratory technologists (analyse medical specimens) challenging and rewarding requiring
Medical radiation technologists (including radiological technologists [X-Ray], radiation therapists,
nuclear medicine technologists, and magnetic resonance technologists)
a high degree of responsibility and
Respiratory therapists (assist with breathing problems) scientific investigation. Both men
and women are employed in a broad
As the population gets older, and cancer becomes more common, there is a growing demand for
cytotechnologists. As research provides more information about cellular diseases, the training for
range of assignments, often enjoying
cytotechnologists will continue to evolve. job security at good rates of pay.