Anatomical pathology
Anatomical pathology technologists (APTs) work in NHS and public mortuaries.
Your role will be varied, and you’ll need expertise in many different areas.
Life as an anatomical pathology technologist (APT)
Your main duty will be to assist pathologists in the crucial work of conducting post-mortems. Establishing the causes of death improves our understanding of a disease and how it developed in a patient. There may also be legal implications, depending on the circumstances of a death.
You’ll also work alongside GPs, nurses and often the police and funeral directors, as well as liaising with the deceased’s family.
On a typical day, you’ll:
- manage the day-to-day running of the mortuary including administration and record keeping
- maintain the mortuary and post-mortem room
- record samples, specimens and organs and arrange for their appropriate disposal
- take samples for clinical examination, transplant or research
- reconstruct the body of the deceased after examination
- ensure equipment and instruments are kept clean, sterile and ready for use
Equally important will be your role in:
- providing advice on documentation and medico-legal issues
- ensuring legal documentation is dealt with correctly
- advising medical staff on post-mortem procedures and examinations
- guarding the personal belongings and effects of the deceased
- liaising with families, healthcare staff, funeral directors and the police
How much can I earn?
You’ll be employed on a national pay and conditions system called Agenda for Change (AfC).
There are nine pay bands and below are examples of the pay band you’ll be on, depending on your role within anatomical pathology.
- Mortuary assistant - B2/B3
- Anatomical pathology technologist– B4/B5
- Senior anatomical pathology technologist – B6/B7
- Mortuary manager – B6/7/8a
How about the benefits?
- make a difference
- flexible and part-time working
- high income early in your career
- work anywhere in the world
- excellent pension scheme
- good holiday entitlement
- NHS discounts in shops and restaurants
Must-have skills
- excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, patients and their families
- emotional resilience, a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure
- teamwork and the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams
- problem-solving and diagnostic skills
- outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills
- first-class time and resource management for the benefit of patients
Entry requirements
There are several different ways to start your career in anatomical pathology.
- You could look for an entry level job as a mortuary assistant.
- You could look for a level 2 apprenticeship as a Healthcare Science Assistant - typically GCSEs 9-4/A-C in maths, English and a science.
- To become an APT, you will need to complete a level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology
- You can further your APT training by completing a level 4 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology
How to become an anatomical pathology technologist (APT) in anatomical pathology
Starting your career in anatomical pathology might be easier than you think. You could undertake study at university or find an apprenticeship that takes you straight into a job.
Where a career in in anatomical pathology will take you
As you gain experience, and with further training, you’ll be able to apply for vacancies that demand greater technical work or extend your career into mortuary management.
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Anatomical Pathology Technician
North Shields, NE29 8NH
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Mortuary Technician
Stevenage, SG1 4AB
- Salary :
- £18.52
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- NHS Professionals Limited
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Mortuary Assistant
London, SE1 7EH
- Salary :
- £30546.00 to £32207.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
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Mortuary Assistant
Salford, M6 8HD
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
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Mortuary Services Manager
London, NW1 2BU
- Salary :
- £56276.00 to £63176.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Mortuary Entry Level Technologist
Sheffield, S5 7AU
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Digital Pathology / Automation OPs Manager Cellular Pathology
Wednesfield Road, WV10 0QP
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
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Pathology Quality Manager
Huddersfield, HD3 3EA
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
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Pathology Assistant - EDGH
Eastbourne, BN212UD
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
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Pathology Support Worker
Brighton, BN2 5BE
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
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Deputy Pathology Manager
London, WD23 1RD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Spire Healthcare Ltd
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Deputy Pathology Manager
Birmingham, B4 6NH
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
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Pathology Support Worker
Haywards Heath, RH16 4EX
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
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Pathology IT Administrator
Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
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Pathology Administrative Assistant (INTERNAL)
Hereford, HR1 2ER
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Wye Valley NHS Trust
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Cellular Pathology Office Manager
Hull, HU3 2JZ
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Pathology Digital Operations Manager
To be confirmed with candidate, SA31 2AF
- Salary :
- £56514.00 to £63623.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
-
General Manager Derbyshire Pathology
Derby, DE22 3NE
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
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Pathology IT Systems Support Officer
Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
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Cellular Pathology Operational Support Officer
LLantrisant, CF72 8XR
- Salary :
- £27898.00 to £30615.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
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Cellular Pathology Operational Support Officer
LLantrisant, CF72 8XR
- Salary :
- £27898.00 to £30615.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
-
Band 4 Medical Secretary - Cellular Pathology
Birmingham, B15 2TH
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Biomedical Scientist Cellular Pathology - Peterborough
Peterborough, PE3 9GZ
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
-
Pathology IT - Chemistry IT Deputy Lead
Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
-
Senior Biomedical Scientist in Cellular Pathology
Halifax, HX3 0PW
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
-
Pathology IT - Microbiology IT Deputy Lead
Wolverhampton, WV10 0PQ
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
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Pathology IT - Haematology & BT IT Deputy Lead
Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
-
Band 8a - Project Manager-Pathology Demand Management, Procurement
Watford, WD18 0HB
- Salary :
- £57888.00 to £64880.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
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For further information about working in anatomical pathology, please contact: