The ASC is a 3,000 member professional organization dedicated to excellence in the practice of Cytopathology.

Members consist of Cytotechnologists and Cytopathologists. Cytotechnologists are allied health professionals with specialized training, who provide screening and interpretation of cytopathology tests (i.e. Pap test, urine, effusions, Fine Needle Aspirations, etc. Cytotechnologists complete a Baccalaureate degree and a CAAHEP-accredited cytotechnology training program to be eligible to take the Board of Certification examination of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, which certifies them to practice.

Cytopathologists are medical doctors who have completed a four-year pathology residency program; many Cytopathologists spend an additional year of training in an approved fellowship program. They are responsible for review and interpretation of cytopathology tests.

What is our role in healthcare?
The team of Cytotechnologists and Cytopathologists maintains a patient-centered approach by performing Fine Needle Aspirations with on-site adequacy assessment in collaboration with radiologists and primary care physicians.

Cytotechnologists and Cytopathologists examine cells that have been exfoliated (shed), scraped from the body or aspirated with a fine needle. Cell specimens are processed into slides and examined microscopically for the diagnosis of cancer, precancerous conditions, benign tumors and some infectious conditions. The test results are communicated to the primary physician for medical or surgical treatment and follow up for the patients.