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Anatomical pathology technician
Hours
40 per week
Starting salary
£15,200 + per year
In this job you would support specialist doctors during post-mortem examinations. These examinations aim to identify the cause of death by analysing the deceased.
To do this job you should have an interest in science and how the human body works. You should have a strong stomach for dealing with unusual sights and smells. You will also need good spoken and written communication skills.
You do not need any qualifications to become a trainee. However, some NHS Trusts may prefer you to have knowledge of science and possibly five GCSEs. Anatomical pathology technicians (APTs) can also be known as mortuary technicians.
WorkDesc
The work
TV programmes have increased awareness of this area of medical work and made it more understandable.
During a post-mortem, your duties would include:
- passing instruments such as scalpels to pathologists
- taking tissue samples
- weighing the organs as they are removed from a body
- taking samples for lab analysis
- recording the findings of a post-mortem exam.
After a post-mortem, you would assist with reconstructing and cleaning the body ready for storage or release to an undertaker. With experience, your work could take on a legal aspect too, such as assisting forensic pathologists to examine murder victims.
As well as post-mortem work, you would be responsible for the day-to-day running of the mortuary service, which could include:
- making sure instruments are clean, sterile and ready for use
- receiving bodies into the mortuary at short notice
- placing the deceased into cold storage units
- keeping accurate records required by law
- tracking property and samples of the deceased.
You would work closely with doctors, the police, coroner's office staff and the relatives of those who have died.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would typically work about 40 hours a week, which may include shifts and on-call duties.
For post-mortem work, you would be based in a stark and clinical setting. To maintain health and safety, you would wear protective clothing, such as rubber gloves, a theatre gown, visor and boots.
IncomeDesc
Income
APTs can earn between £15,200 and £18,150 a year. With experience this can rise to around £27,000. There are additional payments for overtime and on-call duty.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You do not need any specific qualifications to become a trainee APT. However, some NHS Trusts may prefer you to have knowledge of science and possibly five GCSEs (A-C) including biology, maths and English.
You will need to show employers that you have an awareness and respect for different religious beliefs surrounding death. It could be an advantage if you have previous work experience of record keeping, dealing with legal issues, and using practical manual skills.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Starting as a trainee, you will spend time observing experienced pathologists and technicians at work. During your first two years, you will combine on-the-job training with studying for the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) Certificate in Anatomical Pathology Technology (see the Qualifications section of the RSPH website for more details on the course and a list of course providers).
The RSPH course will cover areas such as:
- anatomy and physiology
- infection control
- hygiene, health and safety
- legislation and codes of practice
- post-mortem room techniques.
Once you have completed the Certificate (including written and oral tests) you can apply for Associate Membership of the RSPH.
It may help your career to continue studying and progress to the RSPH Diploma in Anatomical Pathological Technology. This aims to teach you the skills you need to run a mortuary. With the Diploma, you can apply for full RSPH membership.
You can also join the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology (AAPT), which represents and promotes the profession and works closely with other organisations linked with mortuary services. As a member, you would have access to a range of professional development opportunities.
State Registration
This area of work is moving towards state registration. In preparation for this, the AAPT has helped set up the Voluntary Registration Council. For more information, you can also check the AAPT website.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be an anatomical pathology technician, you should have:
- strong spoken and written communication skills
- tact and sensitivity when dealing with bereaved relatives
- a genuine interest in science and how the human body works
- a mature and responsible attitude to work
- a strong stomach for dealing with unusual sights and smells
- the ability to follow strict health and safety guidelines
- a methodical approach to work
- accuracy and attention to detail.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
NHS Careers 
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)
John Snow House
59 Mansell Street
London E1 8AN
Telephone number 0207 265 7300
www.rsph.org.uk/
Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology
12 Coldbath Square
London
EC1R 5HL
Tel: 020 7278 2151
www.aaptuk.org
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find most jobs within the NHS, but you could also work with local authority run public mortuary facilities.
With experience and relevant qualifications (such as the RSPH Diploma) you may be able to train other health professionals and progress your career towards more advanced technical work or a managerial post.
Vacancies can be advertised through the local and national press. You could also try contacting the human resources or mortuary services department of your local NHS Trust. You may find the following useful for job information and general reading (links open in new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
Career paths
Further sources
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