Cytotechnologists

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for all clinical technologists and technicians will grow by 5 percent, about as fast as the average for all careers, through 2033. There will be continue to be opportunities in medical and diagnostic laboratories, offices of physicians, and other ambulatory health care services.

Much of this growth is attributed to the aging population, who require more medical services. Also, the Affordable Care Act has given more access to health care for some people. The newly insured will increase demand for cytotechnologists.

Advances in technology have made many new diagnostic tests possible, but advances in technology have also caused much automation to take place in the laboratory. So, while there are new tests for the cytotechnologist to perform, there are also fewer old tests that need the cytotechnologist's expert handling. However, it is important to note that government regulations currently limit the number of slides cytotechnologists may work with each day, adding to demand for workers in this field.

Molecular diagnostic testing techniques are increasingly being used to help detect clinically relevant infections that are common to cervical cancer, among other uses. The American Society for Cytotechnology says that "there are few cytotechnologists already directly involved in performing and analyzing molecular tests. The impact of these changes to the cytotechnologist's traditional scope of practice is unclear but surely one that will certainly have an impact." Aspiring and current cytotechnologists would be wise to enhance their knowledge of and skills in molecular diagnostics through college coursework and continuing education.