The 12-month program begins in July each year and combines both didactic and practical training. The curriculum includes instruction in the collection, preparation, and interpretation of gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytologic material.
Numerous resources are available in the spacious classroom, including a variety of textbooks, student computers, and study slide sets.
Students participate in weekly lectures and multihead scope reviews throughout the 12-month program.
Practical experience is gained by means of systematic rotation through the up-to-date laboratories of Magee, UPMC Presbyterian, and UPMC Shadyside.
Hands on Cytoprep training and FNA experience in non-gyne cytology are the main component of student rotations at the UPMC flagship hospitals.
All students are certified in both ThinPrep® and SurePath™ morphology, along with additional certification for the ThinPrep® Imaging System.
UPMC utilizes cutting edge technology such as web-based cytopathology educational resources and whole slide imaging (WSI) to enrich the education of cytology students.
- Khalbuss, Walid E. "Whole slide imaging in cytopathology education." Diagnostic Histopathology 18.8 (2012): 327-334.
- Modery, Judith, Walid E. Khalbuss, and Liron Pantanowitz. "All aboard: Cytotechnology student training in pathology informatics." Journal of pathology informatics 3 (2012).
Students are given the opportunity to attend numerous educational teleconferences, colposcopy study sessions, tumor board discussions, and breast cancer conferences. They also complete and present their own case presentation and research project as part of the curriculum.