Description
Stain, mount, and examine cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathologic conditions, adhering to established laboratory standards and practices.
- • Examine cell samples to detect abnormalities in color, shape, size, and cellular patterns.
- • Evaluate specimen quality under a microscope.
- • Prepare and analyze samples, such as Papanicolaou (Pap) smears, body fluids, and fine-needle aspirations (FNA), to detect abnormal conditions.
- • Provide clinical data and microscopic findings to assist pathologists with pathology reports.
- • Assist pathologists or physicians in collecting cell samples via fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or other methods.
- • Assess specimens for abnormal hormone-related conditions.
- • Document specimens by verifying patient and specimen information.
- • Maintain effective laboratory operations by following standards for specimen collection, preparation, and safety.
- • Apply special staining techniques, such as chromosomal staining, to differentiate cells or components.
- • Refer slides with abnormal cell structures to pathologists for further review.
- • Adjust, maintain, and repair laboratory equipment, such as microscopes.
- • Assign or coordinate tasks to ensure timely laboratory workflow.
- • Participate in continuing education on current laboratory practices.
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Healthcare & Human Services
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
