Cytology screener

Cytology screeners examine under a miscrocope samples of human cells obtained from various body parts such as the female reproductive tract, the lung or gastrointestinal tract, assist in identifying cell abnormality and disease such as cancer or infectious agents under supervision, following the orders of the doctor of medicine. The abnormal cells are being transferred to the pathologist for medical diagnosis. They may also work under the supervision of a biomedical scientist. They do not treat patients or assist in medical treatments.
 

The following job titles also refer to cytology screener:

cervical cytology screener
screener in cytology
cytoscreener
specialist cytology screener
cytotechnologist
expert cytology screener
cytology practitioner
senior cytology screener

Associate’s degree is generally required to work as cytology screener. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Cytology screener is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to cytology screener.

anatomical pathology technician
dietetic technician
clinical perfusion scientist
dental hygienist
respiratory therapy technician

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of cytology screener. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of cytology screener with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

specialist biomedical scientist
biomedical scientist advanced
homeopath
orthoptist
general practitioner

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of cytology screener.

Hygiene in a health care setting: The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used and infection control methods.
Health care legislation: The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.
Biosafety in biomedical laboratory: The principles and methods for managing infectious materials in the laboratory environment, biosafety levels, classification and risk assessment, pathogenicity and toxicity of a living organism and their possible hazards in order to minimise any risks for human health and the environment.
Clinical cytology: The science of the formation, structure, and function of cells.
Infection control: The routes of transmission and methods of preventing spread of common and important infecting organisms together with the methods available for sterilisation and disinfection of pathogenic organisms in the prevention of infection.
Sterilization techniques: The methods and techniques used to destroy or remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that can contaminate medical instruments or any type of material in a health care setting.
Cytopathology: The procedures to examine loose cells, which are spread and stained on glass slides using cytology techniques. The examination of cervical smear, sputum and gastric washing.
Professional documentation in health care: The written standards applied in the health care professional environments for documentation purposes of one`s activity.
Fine-needle aspiration: The type of biopsy through which a thin needle is inserted into an area of body tissue and analysed in the laboratory to determine whether the tissue is benign or malignant.
Medical informatics: The processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.
Chemistry: The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.
Microscopic techniques: The techniques, functions and limitations of microscopy to visualise objects that cannot be seen with the normal eye.
Cervical screening: The test conducted on cells coming from the women`s cervix used to determine pre-cancerous tissues. Cervical screening can be performed via the Papanicolaou test (Pap test) and liquid-based cytology.

These skills are necessary for the role of cytology screener.

Follow control of substances hazardous to health procedures: Adhere to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) procedures for activities that involve hazardous substances, such as bacteria, allergens, waste oil, paint or brake fluids that result in illness or injury.
Recognize cytologic abnormalities: Identify cytologic abnormal cases such as infectious agents, inflammatory processes and precancerous lesions in gynecologic and non-gynecologic specimens.
Label medical laboratory samples: Correctly label samples of the medical laboratory with the accurate information, according to the implemented quality system in place.
Provide test results to medical staff: Record and pass test results to medical staff, who use the information to diagnose and treat patient`s illness.
Examine cell specimens microscopically: Prepare and put the cell specimens received for examination on slides, stain and mark cellular changes and abnormalities.
Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
Assist in the production of laboratory documentation: Assist in documenting laboratory work, especially paying attention to policies and standard operating procedures.
Apply safety procedures in laboratory: Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
Communicate effectively in healthcare: Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
Operate microscope: Operate a microscope, an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye to see.
Follow clinical guidelines: Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
Maintain medical laboratory equipment: Regularly check the condition of medical laboratory equipment used, clean, and perform maintenance operations, as necessary.
Comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice: Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
Comply with legislation related to health care: Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
Apply health sciences: Apply a broad range of bio-medical, psycho-social, organisational, educational, and societal aspects of health, disease, and healthcare to improve healthcare services and to improve quality of life.
Manage infection control in the facility: Implement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.
Check the received biological samples: Ensure that the received biological samples such as blood and tissues, are correctly labeled, registered and contain the appropriate information about the patient.
Apply context specific clinical competences: Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
Work in multidisciplinary health teams: Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Apply good clinical practices: Ensure compliance with and application of the ethical and scientific quality standards used to conduct, record and report clinical trials that involve human participation, at an international level.
Accept own accountability: Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of cytology screener. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Medical terminology: The meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.
Pedagogy: The discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.
Biostatistics: The methods used to apply statistics in biology-related topics.
Transplantation: The principles of organ and tissue transplantation, the principles of transplant immunology, immunosuppression, donation and procurement of tissue, and indications for organ transplantation.
Medical genetics: The diagnosis, types and treatment of hereditary disorders; a type of genetics which refers to the application to medical care.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of cytology screener. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Deal with emergency care situations: Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person’s health, security, property or environment.

 
Observe confidentiality: Observe the set of rules establishing the nondisclosure of information except to another authorised person.
Conduct health related research: Conduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.
Work in a multicultural environment in health care: Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
Coordinate the procurement of organs for transplantation: Manage all the required services and administrative tasks required to handle and obtain cells, tissues or organs for transplantation purposes.
Interact with healthcare users: Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
Employ foreign languages in care: Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.

3212 – Medical and pathology laboratory technicians

References

1. Cytology screener – ESCO