Clinical Practicum

cytology cart

For Students

Clinical practicum is a transformative phase in a UNMC diagnostic cytology students journey where didactic learning is put into hands-on practice. During clinical practicum, students will rotate in a variety of laboratory settings, including reference and hospital laboratories, to essentially practice as a working cytologist. To gain diverse, valuable experiences, it is highly recommended that students rotate through several laboratory sites. A minimum timeframe of 2 weeks is recommended at each affiliate site*. The UNMC Diagnostic Cytology program has numerous affiliate sites located across the country (list will be posted soon). The financial expense of travel and housing is at the discretion of each student. The Cost of Attendance sheet includes an additional estimated expense for implications of travel and housing for a clinical practicum. Please contact the Financial Aid office if you have any questions.

Clinical Practicum (~8 weeks, June-July)

Advanced Clinical Practicum (~4 weeks, Nov-Dec)

Both clinical practicum experiences provides students an actual supervised experience in cytology laboratories and other selected pathology laboratory sections. Students will screen glass slides daily (GYN, Non-GYN, FNA), participate in clinical procedures, process specimens in the cytopreparation laboratory, and be supervised during advanced cytology competencies (Flow, Molecular, Immuno, Gross room, etc.).

*Note: Affiliate sites are not required to take students on a yearly basis. Due to unforeseen circumstances, any one of the sites listed may be unavailable to host students any given year.

For Preceptors

Preceptors are crucial in providing diverse hands-on training opportunities for our University of Nebraska Medical Center Diagnostic Cytology students. Under preceptor supervision, diagnostic cytology students apply didactic knowledge to screen and diagnose patient slides, prepare cytology specimens, assist with fine-needle aspiration procedures, and acquire knowledge in ancillary departments (FLOW, molecular, IHC, FISH, etc.)

Preceptor Benefits

Clinical Teaching Resources

Affiliation Guidelines

Guidelines are being developed to serve as a guide and resource for preceptors of University of Nebraska Medical Center Diagnostic Cytology students. Once posted, please review the handbook prior to working with students and refer to it as needed.