Fletcher Allen Health Care

Fletcher Allen Health Care is an integration of the former entities of Fanny Allen Hospital, Medical Center Hospital of Vermont (MCHV) and the University Health Center. Embracing the vision of integrated health care, this new organization, in close affiliation with The University of Vermont, has as its mission the improvement of health status in the communities it serves. Providing a full range of tertiary level inpatient and outpatient services, it is a health care resource and regional referral center for a service area of nearly a million people.

Cytotechnology is an allied health profession that specializes in the microscopic evaluation of cellular samples for the detection and diagnosis of human disease. Using subtle clues in the cells themselves, cytotechnologists determine the presence or absence of specific diseases and decide which cases warrant further review by a pathologist. Cytotechnologists are involved in the diagnosis of cancer, precancerous lesions, benign tumors and infectious processes from a variety of body sites. Cytotechnologists are self-motivated, accurate, independent critical thinkers. They are a valued member of the health care team whose work directly affects patient care. Cytotechnology offers a rewarding career in the health care arena. Fletcher Allen Health Care has been recognized nationally as a Center of Excellence in Cytopathology.

School of Cytotechnology

Established in 1970, the Fletcher Allen Health Care School of Cytotechnology is the only accredited cytotechnology educational program in Northern New England. The twelve month hospital-based program has graduated over 150 students since its inception in 1970. The majority of students have secured employment prior to the end of the program. Graduates of the School have performed extremely well on the ASCP Registry Examination in Cytotechnology. The School of Cytotechnology is located at the MCHV Campus of Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vermont.

Cytotechnology Program

"The School of Cytotechnology offers students a well-organized, quality educational process which is delivered within a genuine atmosphere of support and care."

- Sandra Giroux, SCT, CMIAC, Program Director

The cytotechnology program is offered annually beginning in September and continuing through the following August. Students are in class 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday. The first seven months of the twelve month program consists of formal didactic instruction and the visual study of selected cytologic material. The final five months focus on the clinical aspects of cytopathology. Students gain expertise in speed and accuracy by examining cytologic specimens in a simulated work environment. During this time students also learn to prepare and stain specimens, present case reports and discuss management and current issues in the field of cytopathology.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
The educational requirement for admission is a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, including a minimum of 28 semester hours (42 quarter hours) of sciences, including biological sciences (e.g. general biology, microbiology, parasitology, zoology, histology, embryology or genetics) and chemistry, and 3 semester hours (4 quarter hours) of math.

"3+1" Undergraduate Program
For undergraduate students the opportunity for a "3+1" format exists through selected college affiliations. This provides for the concurrent completion of both a baccalaureate degree and the cytotechnology certificate program in four years.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the American Society of Cytopathology, Cytotechnology Programs Review Committee in association with the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The program is also approved as an accredited course of study by the Veterans Administration. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to participate in the national registry examination given by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

Information

If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please Request Information from Fletcher Allen Health Care.