Travel Cytotechnologist Jobs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for cytotechnologist jobs in the United States as of May 2020 was $59,220. The exact salary of a cytotechnologist will vary depending on experience, location, and other factors, with larger cities offering higher salaries than rural areas.

Typically, travel cytotechnologist jobs will provide higher hourly and weekly pay than permanent positions in the same specialty, facility, and location. The estimated weekly gross pay listed for a travel cytotechnologist is based on the specified hours per week listed on job cards and includes available stipend amounts.

Employment of cytotechnologists in the cytotechnology field is projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, and as a result, travel cytotechnologists can experience high job security. This growth is due to advancements in medical technology, an increased demand for laboratory testing in the US, and an aging population.

The increasing demand for laboratory testing has led to a greater need for travel cytotechnologists to analyze and interpret the results of these tests. Additionally, as the population ages, more individuals will require tests and treatments that require cytotechnology.

A cytotechnologist is a medical professional who specializes in the examination of cells, primarily for the detection of cancer. They can also be involved in the diagnosis of other diseases such as autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, and genetic disorders.

The primary role of travel cytotechnologists is to utilized specialized laboratory equipment to examine specimens and cells obtained through a biopsy, either from a patient or from a laboratory sample. The cells are placed onto a slide, stained with a special dye, and observed through a microscope. The cytotechnologist looks for any abnormal cellular features that may indicate a disease or disorder.

In addition to examining cells, cytotechnologists may also be involved in other areas of laboratory medicine, such as preparing tissue samples for examination, performing cell counts, and other laboratory tests. They may also be involved in teaching and supervising other cytotechnology or laboratory personnel.

In addition to providing technical support for diagnosis, cytotechnologists are also responsible for ensuring the accuracy of laboratory tests and working on detailed reports. This requires that cytotechnologists have meticulous attention to detail and organization skills as well as a thorough understanding of the procedures and results of laboratory tests.

To become a travel cytotechnologist, you must first earn a bachelor's degree in medical technology, biology, or a closely related field. After obtaining your degree, you must also complete a 1-year accredited cytotechnology program. These programs are typically found at universities and medical centers.

Once you have completed your cytotechnology program, you can earn certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Registry. To take the national certification exam, earn your licensure and begin applying for cytotechnologist jobs, you must have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree and have completed an accredited cytotechnology program.

In addition to the education requirements, cytotechnologists must also keep their certification current by earning continuing education credits in the cytotechnology field. This can be done by attending conferences or workshops, or by completing online courses or other activities that are recognized by the ASCP Board of Registry.

While compensation offers can vary depending on the contract or agency offering, pay packages for travel cytotechnologist jobs typically have four major components: hourly taxable wages, meals and incidentals, housing, and travel. Your recruiter can help you understand every asset of job pay packages.

Hourly Pay

A full-time travel cytotechnologist working at hospitals or healthcare facilities receives a salary, but most travel allied health employers offer hourly wages. Every pay package must include a taxable hourly wage, and the amount can vary depending on the shift, location, and specialty required of the assignment.

Housing

Housing payments can be included in a payment from a staffing agency. This is typically offered to travelers in two ways when you take on an allied travel job. Either the company is providing housing, or the traveler is taking the housing stipend. It is more beneficial for the traveler to take the housing stipend for two primary reasons. First, they will have a choice of where they will stay. Everyone’s definitions of comfort and acceptable are different. The second reason the housing stipend is more beneficial for them is that it can be given as a nontaxable amount.

Meals and Incidentals

Also known as per diems, meal and incidental stipends provide a daily budget to travelers for daily living expenses. These standards vary depending on the cost of living in cities and states across the country.

Travel Expenses

Travel is the last portion of the pay package. Many recruiters may not even offer travel and instead put that money into the per diems or housing for their traveler, so they are receiving the benefits over the entire contract, not just at the very beginning or end of the contract. While a travel stipend can be used to cover the cost of a flight for the travel cytotechnologist, it is often used to subsidize the traveler’s expenses to and from an assignment. Travel expenses can be offered as a reimbursement rate per mile, though many agencies will opt to offer a flat rate to and from an assignment.