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Did You Know? Cytology is the exam of a single cell type, as often found in fluid specimens. It's mainly used to diagnose or screen for cancer. It's also used to screen for fetal abnormalities, for pap smears, to diagnose infectious organisms, and in other screening and diagnostic areas.The cells to be examined may be taken through the following methods: Scraping or brushing the tissue surface, such as during a pap smear Collecting body fluids, such for urine or respiratory phlegm Fine-needle aspirations. This is removing cells by drawing them through a fine needle, such as abdominal fluid in ascites, pleural fluid from the lungs, or cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal canal. Other types of tissue biopsy
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Duties and Tasks
Cytopathologists maintain a patient-centered approach by performing
fine needle aspirations with on-site adequacy assessment in
collaboration with radiologists and primary care physicians.
Cytopathologists examine cells that have been exfoliated (shed),
scraped from the body or aspirated with a fine needle. Cell
specimens are processed into slides and examined microscopically for
the diagnosis of cancer, precancerous conditions, benign tumors and
some infectious conditions. The test results are communicated to the
primary physician for medical or surgical treatment and follow-up
with patients.
Working conditions
Most cytopathologists work in hospitals
or commercial laboratories. With experience, they also may work in
private industry or in supervisory, research and teaching positions.
Cytopathologists work independently and in close collaboration with
a cytotechnologist (when examining cells for indications of
disease).
Laboratories and medical facilities hire cytopathologists to work
full-time, flexible hours during all shifts, including evenings and
weekends in some cases, depending on the hours maintained by the
facility. Cytopathologists function within a collaborative team
environment. They act as the laboratory supervisor for
Cytotechnologists and work exclusively within lab environments and
are not usually required to travel to perform their normal job
duties.
Tools and technologies
Cytopathologists regularly work with the following tools and equipment:
Slides
Microscopes
Lab tools (tongs, test tubes)
Safety equipment (gloves, safety glasses, shoe covers, aprons)
Education and training/entrance requirements
Cytopathologists are medical doctors who
have completed a four-year pathology residency program; many
cytopathologists spend an additional year of training in an approved
fellowship program. They are responsible for review and
interpretation of cytopathology tests.
Employment Opportunities
As new screening and identification techniques for cancer are developed, cytopathologists will continue to play an invaluable role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
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Occupations in this group [Medical and Dental Technicians nec] include:
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Forensic technicians work in the mortuary of a department or Institute
of forensic medicine. Forensic pathology assistants help forensic
pathologists determine cause of death, specimen retrieval and perform
clerical duties.
A
forensic pathology assistant works under the supervision of a forensic
pathologist. Assistants aid in the processing, testing and reporting of
bodily specimens acquired from an autopsy or crime scene. They may be
asked to employ skills based in toxicology, radiology, microbiology,
chemistry and even photography in order to help the pathologist discover
the cause of an unnatural, suspicious or unknown death of an individual.
OSCA ID:
311299
[Medical and Dental Technicians nec]
Alternative names: Mortuary
Technician (Forensic), Forensic Pathology Assistant, Mortuary
Assistant, Mortuary Attendant, Mortuary Technician, Autopsy
Technician,
Knowledge, skills and attributes
It is strongly recommended that those considering a career as a forensic pathologist assistant h understand the graphic nature of the job. While regular pathology assistants may not encounter cadavers as a result of a brutal trauma, forensic pathologists and assistants deal primarily with crime scene victims and their bodies, in whole and in parts. The first requirement is to be emotionally and physically able handle the demands of the job.
Forensic pathologist assistants are required to be efficient and effective communicators with fellow laboratory members and the chief pathologist. Assistants must also be able to communicate effectively with people outside the laboratory (funeral directors, crime scene investigators, coroners, etc.) in reference to the autopsy. Assistants are required to pay attention to detail and have strong organizational skills.
Duties and Tasks
Forensic pathology assistants are vital to the postmortem medical
field. Assistants help the supervising forensic pathologist in
determining cause of death and assisting in specimen retrieval, in
addition to clerical duties. Since forensic
pathologists function as both medical doctors and detectives, an
assistant is responsible for a variety of duties. For instance,
assistants help in postmortem examination and gather and prepare
specimens for testing. Assistants may also be asked to photograph
anything from the cadaver and extracted organs to microscopic
samples.
In addition to laboratory duties, forensic pathology assistants may
also be required to assist in administrative and clerical duties
associated with the lab. They may order equipment, keep files, write
correspondence, train new assistants and coordinate schedules while
also maintaining the mortuary rooms, supplies and equipment. They
may also help the forensic pathologist prepare for court if the
pathologist is called as an expert witness.
Forensic technicians assist the forensic pathologist to perform the autopsy,
Prepare the body for examination.
Drain the fluids from the body,
Perform the first incision which typically is a 'Y' incision
Take all the organs from the body
Provide mortuary assistance to pathologists including photography, collection, labelling and processing of specimens, specialised dissection, reconstruction and handling of deceased persons
Handle deceased persons with dignity, care and respect at all times
Clean autopsy theatres and storage areas to ensure a clean working environment
Assist in the controlled release and preparation of deceased persons for viewing and identification purposes
Follow mortuary registration practices accurately
Undertake continual professional development, quality and workplace health and safety activities
Working conditions
A forensic pathology assistant works under the supervision of a forensic pathologist. This job is physically and emotionally demanding. The position involves regular exposure to deceased persons of all ages, often in all states of disfigurement, decomposition and/or disruption.
Education and training/entrance requirements
You don't require formal qualifications to be a forensic technician, but there is a Mortuary Science course you can do that will help.
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