What is an anatomical pathology technologist?

The more we can find out about the causes of people's deaths, the more likely we are to help prevent it happening to others. And when a death is unexpected, it can be important for legal and other reasons to discover the cause. Anatomical pathology technologists assist the pathologist in conducting these post-mortems, taking tissue samples and maintaining equipment. They also keep legally required mortuary records. It may sound macabre, but in fact it is absorbing work that can have important consequences.

Your responsibilities
As an anatomical pathology technologist you would have a range of responsibilities: record-keeping, maintaining the mortuary and post-mortem room, and ensuring equipment and instruments are clean, sterile and ready to use. You would help the pathologist (a specialist doctor) to examine the body and take samples for analysis, and after each post mortem prepare the body for storage or collection by undertakers.

Anatomical pathology technologists liaise with a range of people including medical staff, police, and most importantly, relatives of those who have died. It's important that you should be able to deal sympathetically with people who may be grieving, and respect different religious and cultural attitudes to the dead. At the same time, it would fall to you to keep track of property and samples, and to ensure that all the paperwork required by law is efficiently dealt with.

Skills required
Unlike some technician roles, this is a job where you are directly involved with the doctor in conducting examinations and dealing with a variety of people day-to-day. It requires skills and knowledge which your training will provide. But it also requires maturity, tact, responsibility and a genuine curiosity about how the human body works.

Entry requirements
There are no minimum entry qualifications for trainee anatomical pathology technicians, although hospitals will often look for some evidence of aptitude in science. Most trainees start straight from school, but older candidates are welcome.

Training programme
Trainees start with a short period of watching, listening and asking, followed by direct involvement in work under the supervision of pathologists and technicians. During training you will attend teaching sessions on a course designed by the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene (RIPH). The teaching will involve day release and some block time, totalling at least 40 hours in all. Topics will include anatomy and physiology, post-mortem room techniques, hygiene, hazards and precautions, legislation and codes of practice, administration and documentation.

Within 2 years, you will usually have finished the course and successfully completed various specified practical tasks. At this point you will be eligible to sit an examination leading to the RIPH Certificate in Anatomical Pathology Technology, combining written and oral work.

Prospects
Once you will have qualified, pay and responsibility will depend upon experience and further specialist skills you may acquire. You may take a further course leading to a Diploma of the RIPHH, and your career could lead to management or advanced technical work.

How to apply
For information about opportunities in your local area, contact the HR/Personnel Department of your local Hospital Trust, or the hospital mortuary manager.

Working in the new NHS
Every year the NHS provides healthcare for millions of people across the UK as part of this service, it continues to new advances in the prevention and treatment of illness and injuries. Scientists and technicians play a vital role in making all this possible.

Staff conditions
At the same time, safer and hygienic systems of working are being developed and the NHS is committed to finding more flexible and family-friendly ways of working that help people to keep their work and personal lives in balance as their careers unfold.

Further information

You're going to do what! The year for a career change
Spotlight on anatomical pathology technologists
Life, death and paperwork
Download the AAPT (UK) Careers Advice Leaflet