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Technical specialist, cytology vs assistant laboratory technician

The differences between technical specialists, cytology and assistant laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a technical specialist, cytology and an assistant laboratory technician. Additionally, a technical specialist, cytology has an average salary of $54,859, which is higher than the $35,556 average annual salary of an assistant laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a technical specialist, cytology include clinical laboratory, non-gyn and FNA. The most important skills for an assistant laboratory technician are patients, ladders, and computer lab.

Technical specialist, cytology vs assistant laboratory technician overview

Technical Specialist, CytologyAssistant Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary$54,859$35,556
Hourly rate$26.37$17.09
Growth rate10%1%
Number of jobs71,647116,488
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

Technical specialist, cytology vs assistant laboratory technician salary

Technical specialists, cytology and assistant laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Technical Specialist, CytologyAssistant Laboratory Technician
Average salary$54,859$35,556
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $73,000Between $21,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City-Manchester, NH
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Patterson-UTI Energy
Best paying industry--

Differences between technical specialist, cytology and assistant laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between a technical specialist, cytology and an assistant laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

Technical Specialist, CytologyAssistant Laboratory Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeNew York UniversityUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Technical specialist, cytology vs assistant laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between technical specialists, cytology' and assistant laboratory technicians' demographics:

Technical Specialist, CytologyAssistant Laboratory Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 22.4% Female, 77.6%Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 12.2% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between technical specialist, cytology and assistant laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Technical specialist, cytology example responsibilities.

  • Manage and supervise the operations of the cytology department.
  • Perform QC and QA of all slides process.
  • Numbered, stain and cover slip all GYN and non-GYN specimens.
  • Prepare GYN and Non-GYN specimens, make slides, and stain for cytologist and pathologist to interpret.
  • Work with Thinprep and Surepath cytology and pathology preparations.
  • Initiate and implement projects for cost reduction, productivity improvement, and increase equipment availability/reliability and to meet ISO compliance.
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Assistant laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
  • Work with non-gynecological specimens including thin prep, cytospins or formalin and cellient cell blocks.
  • Work in cytology lab performing prep duties of surgical fluids, FNA aspirates and pap smears.
  • Verify test requirements utilizing LIS.
  • Obtain insurance authorization and provide patients resources regarding insurance coverage and financial responsibilities.
  • Collect, identify, categorize, and analyze bodily fluids relate to non-gynecological cytology.
  • Show more

Technical specialist, cytology vs assistant laboratory technician skills

Common technical specialist, cytology skills
  • Clinical Laboratory, 22%
  • Non-Gyn, 18%
  • FNA, 9%
  • Computer System, 8%
  • Cell Samples, 7%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
Common assistant laboratory technician skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • Computer Lab, 8%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • EKG, 6%
  • CPR, 5%

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