In additional placements, don't just choose a department, choose the profession of the future!

While additional placement offers a new opportunity for candidates who could not achieve their desired results in their first preferences in YKS, future professional fields in vacant quotas also stand out. As digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the use of advanced technology increase in many stages of health services, from cancer diagnosis to treatment, this transformation also changes the need for trained technical personnel. Pathology Laboratory Techniques and Radiotherapy programs stand out among the options for young people aiming for a technology-integrated career in the health sector.

Asst. Prof. Eda Yetimoğlu, Head of the Pathology Laboratory Techniques Program at Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services, explained that pathology laboratories play a critical role in the diagnosis of many diseases, especially cancer.

Asst. Prof. Yetimoğlu stated that the correct preparation of biopsy, surgical, and cytological materials taken from the patient is one of the important stages of diagnosis, and said:

“Pathology laboratories are one of the fundamental building blocks of the disease diagnosis process. Especially in cancer diagnosis, biopsy, surgical, and cytological materials taken from the patient must be prepared appropriately and made suitable for examination under a microscope. As a result of a series of procedures carried out in the pathology laboratory, preparations suitable for microscopic evaluation are made by the pathologist, and this process contributes to the patient's correct diagnosis and the creation of a treatment plan based on the given diagnosis.”

“You are one of the most important professionals in the laboratory process for an accurate diagnosis”

Yetimoğlu pointed out that pathology laboratory technicians are involved in many critical processes from the moment the material arrives at the laboratory, emphasizing that the profession is not limited to merely using technical devices.

Asst. Prof. Yetimoğlu said, “A pathology laboratory technician performs tasks in material reception, macroscopy, tissue tracking, tissue embedding, sectioning with a microtome, staining, cytological material preparation, special staining studies, and immunohistochemical staining processes. Furthermore, the correct and safe use of laboratory equipment, adherence to quality and biosafety rules, and proper archiving of materials are also important parts of this profession.”

Yetimoğlu stated that while explaining the responsibilities of the profession to her students, she particularly reminds them of one point: “You are not the person making the diagnosis; however, you are one of the most important professionals in the laboratory process required for an accurate diagnosis.”

Artificial intelligence will not eliminate the pathology technician, but transform their role

Yetimoğlu noted that digital pathology and artificial intelligence technologies are also changing the future of the profession, stating that artificial intelligence can provide support in processes such as image scanning, marking specific structures, counting cells, and prioritizing suspicious areas.

Asst. Prof. Yetimoğlu said, “For this reason, the technician's role will transform rather than disappear. The technician of the future is expected not only to use a microtome, staining device, or tissue tracking device but also to take an active role in the use of digital imaging systems, laboratory information systems, quality control processes, and AI-supported technologies.”

Asst. Prof. Yetimoğlu stated that Pathology Laboratory Techniques graduates can work in various fields, from pathology and cytology laboratories of state, university, and private hospitals to the Council of Forensic Medicine, and from histology laboratories of medical and veterinary faculties to companies supplying materials to the sector. She also expressed that molecular diagnosis, digital pathology, image analysis, laboratory quality management, and advanced pathology techniques are expected to gain more importance in the future.

As technology advances in radiotherapy, the need for trained personnel gains importance

Instructor Selen Ener Boran, Head of the Radiotherapy Program at Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services, also stated that technological developments in cancer treatment have made the duties of radiotherapy technicians more precise and comprehensive.

Instructor Selen Ener Boran pointed out that contemporary radiotherapy is an advanced technology-intensive treatment method that uses imaging, software, dose calculation, and motion management systems together, and said:

“Today, radiotherapy is an advanced technology-intensive treatment method that uses imaging, software, dose calculation, and motion management systems together, requiring the tumor to be targeted with millimeter accuracy, healthy tissues to be protected as much as possible, and the patient's position to be recreated identically in each session. Although some treatments can be completed in fewer sessions, the preparation, imaging, and verification stages of each session have become more comprehensive.”

Boran stated that approximately 50-70% of cancer patients require radiotherapy at some stage of their treatment, and estimated that around 236,000 new cancer cases per year in Turkey also demonstrate the need for trained health personnel.

“The technician is no longer just a healthcare worker operating the device”

Boran stated that new generation radiotherapy systems can image the patient's anatomy before and during treatment, track respiratory movements, and in some systems, allow treatment to be adapted according to daily anatomical changes, emphasizing that this transformation is also reflected in the job descriptions of technicians.

Boran said, “Image-guided radiotherapy, stereotactic treatments, respiration-controlled applications, surface tracking systems, and MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy are prime examples of this transformation. These developments elevate the radiotherapy technician from being merely a healthcare worker operating a device to a professional who assumes greater responsibility in imaging, patient motion management, digital record systems, treatment verification, and safety processes.”

Boran stated that artificial intelligence and automation can speed up some processes, but the human factor retains its importance, adding, “Trained personnel are still needed to check the results obtained and safely transfer them to the clinical process.”

Device, software, and professional English can provide an advantage in radiotherapy

Boran stated that radiotherapy is a profession that brings together health, physics, anatomy, imaging, and advanced technology, noting the importance of attention, teamwork, patient communication, and being open to continuous learning.

Referring to employment opportunities, Boran stated that radiotherapy is a specialized healthcare field and graduates can work in Ministry of Health hospitals with radiation oncology centers, university hospitals, private hospitals, and authorized oncology institutions.
Boran emphasized that public recruitments depend on KPSS (Public Personnel Selection Examination) and available positions, adding, “Graduates who have received good clinical practice training, possess strong device and software knowledge, have developed their professional English, and are flexible regarding working in different cities can be expected to have an advantage in the private sector and in new public sector positions.”