Educational Objectives:
1. Understand how the unique knowledge, skills and abilities of cytotechnologists promote their selection over other health professionals for expanded responsibilities using novel techniques and technologies
2. Identify specific areas of expanded responsibilities that add value to laboratory services, contributes to patient outcomes and sustains the viability of the profession
3. Understand how cytotechnology training programs are being responsive to the communities it serves

The focus of the session will be to demonstrate that successful enhancement of cytotechnologists’ training can create new opportunities for career development and growth for cytotechnologists. The presentation will include three cases; two represent laboratories that are transforming their services by expanding the roles of cytotechnologists. The remaining case represents how a cytotechnology training program retooled to provide didactic and laboratory “hands-on” experiences to meet new and expanded roles requested by the communities it serves. The laboratory presentations will illustrate the adoption of innovative practices for cytotechnologists, the utility of cytotechnologists versus other health professionals for carrying out these practices, and the feasibility and impact of these practices on laboratory productivity and revenue. Each will present their respective challenges including how to assure current competencies while developing and applying novel knowledge, skills, and abilities. Each will share their individual case for change, identifying obstacles as well as strategies for successful transformation.