Medical Laboratory Scientist – Cytology

Home Careers Study Pathology or Forensics

Medical Laboratory Scientist – Cytology

Medical Laboratory Scientists specialising in Cytology are qualified health professionals who have a Bachelor degree with subjects relevant to pathology and a Certificate of Cytotechnology of the Australian Society of Cytology (CTASC). They work in Anatomical Pathology departments to examine the structure and function of individual cells helping doctors diagnose diseases, including cancer.

Interested in this job?

For professionals For students

About the opportunity

Our team of cytopathology scientists work in laboratories located within NSW public hospitals.

They provide high quality diagnostic and specialty services for public hospital patients and patients at some private hospitals and GP practices.

We provide a full range of comprehensive cytopathology services including the reporting of non-gynaecological and gynaecological specimens based on service needs, attending fine needle aspirations to provide rapid on-site evaluation of samples for adequacy and triage.

NSW Health Pathology is committed to providing equitable access of service and excellent support to local medical specialists and GPs from our 18 Anatomical Pathology laboratories.

These include:

Regional laboratories at Tweed Heads, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Gosford, Tamworth, Dubbo, Orange, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong and
Tertiary metropolitan laboratories in Sydney and Newcastle – Royal North Shore, Royal Prince Alfred, Prince of Wales, Concord Repatriation General, Liverpool, Nepean, Westmead, John Hunter, St George.

Our John Hunter, Royal Prince Alfred, Prince of Wales and Westmead Cytology laboratories are accredited to perform gynaecological cytology services.

Our scientists participate in training, education and competency activities and a range of quality management practices to ensure compliance with operational standards and procedures, quality standards and continual process improvement.

Our highly skilled scientists are employed under the Hospital Scientist Award.

What do Medical Laboratory Scientists do?

Medical Laboratory Scientists specialising in Cytology are highly-trained medical professionals focusing on cell analysis in gynaecological or non-gynaecological specimens such as urine and sputum.

They attend medical procedures to evaluate the adequacy of specimens, prepare samples for examination, review patients’ cellular material under a microscope, and inform pathologists if cells have undergone any dangerous change that may indicate cancer.

They work in specialised Anatomical Pathology laboratories and with a wide range of instruments and troubleshoot problems.

To qualify as a Medical Laboratory Scientist specialising in Cytology you need to study a tertiary degree with subjects relevant to pathology and then successfully complete the examination and course work to gain a Certificate of Cytotechnology of the Australian Society of Cytology (CTASC).

Get a head start and find out which universities include cytology in their degrees by checking out the interactive map on our Careers page.

Kickstart Your Career in Medical Science

If you have a tertiary degree with subjects relevant to pathology, you could be eligible to join NSW Health Pathology as a Medical Laboratory Scientist training in Cytology.

We’re passionate about training and development and have a comprehensive Scientific and Technical Training and Competency Framework. In the laboratory you’ll receive hands-on, specialised training from experienced experts. You’ll build confidence and skills through structured, competency-based learning that sets you up for success.

Some of our laboratories even offer student placements, allowing you to complete foundational competencies and get a valuable head-start in your career.

In a typical day I perform normal lab services – testing patient samples, getting results out. I’m involved in ensuring the lab meets national standards that the government requires and going above and beyond that. I like to think there is a person behind all these numbers… this person could be sitting here in the hospital waiting for their results to get diagnosed.

– Jacelle Amancio, Medical Laboratory Scientist, NSWHP

What we can offer you

Accrued days off in addition to annual leave
Generous salary packaging options and other fringe benefits, particularly for those who choose to work in regional or rural NSW
Employee Assistance Program – confidential, professional, free counselling for employees and their household members
Corporate wellbeing programs, including the Fitness Passport
Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training with the Registered Training Organisation My Health Learning

View more Employee Benefits

Position Classification: Scientific Officer

Hours Per Week 38

Express Your Interest
View Current Vacancies

Interested in this job?

Related Jobs

Anatomical Pathologist

Anatomical Pathologists are medical specialists with at least 12 years of training who examine organs, tissues and cells to diagnose specific diseases including cancer.

View Job

Medical Laboratory Scientist – Multidisciplinary

A Multidisciplinary Medical Laboratory Scientist is a qualified health professional who holds a degree relevant to pathology from an accredited university, and has typically completed 3 to 4 years of full-time study.

View Job

Genomic Laboratory Scientist

Genomic medical laboratory scientists analyse patient samples using specialised equipment and advanced techniques to detect and interpret genomic data, including markers for haematological malignancies, cancer, rare genetic disorders, chromosomal abnormalities, and pathogens.

View Job

Stay in touch

Subscribe for career updates and opportunities.