HealthcareISCO 2269
Anatomical pathology technician
An anatomical pathology technician is a person who assists a pathologist at post-mortem examinations and keeps the records of the material taken.
Check yourself in a minute: anatomical pathology technician
Rate 5 of the 31 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
follow procedures to control substances hazardous to health
conduct visits to the postmortem room
select hazard control
cope with unusual stimuli in the mortuary facility
take samples during autopsy
About anatomical pathology technician
The anatomical pathology technician prepares the room and the instruments before an examination, assists the pathologist during it, and handles the material taken for further study. Records are kept of specimens, slides, organs and results, because every piece of material has to be traceable to the right person. Once an examination ends, the material is dealt with according to the pathologist's instructions and the regulations in force.
The technician applies sterilisation techniques, manages infection control in the laboratory, keeps the rooms clean and uses personal protective equipment, because contact with biological material and with fixatives carries risk. Human physiology and anatomy have to be known in order to recognise the material being handled, and medical informatics is used for the records.
The technician gives a deceased person's family information on formalities and on funeral services, with restraint and without going beyond what may be disclosed. Healthcare regulation and the quality standards of medical practice are both observed. The anatomical pathology technician works under the supervision and instructions of a pathologist.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a anatomical pathology technician.
1
Autopsy Assistance and Sample Collection
- Assist pathologists during autopsy procedures by providing necessary instruments, materials, and support
- Take samples from organs and tissues during autopsy following established protocols and medical standards
- Ensure proper specimen handling, labeling, and preservation to maintain sample integrity and traceability
- Conduct visits to the postmortem room to prepare facilities and verify readiness for examinations
2
Specimen and Records Management
- Keep detailed records of all specimens, organs, tissues, and findings collected during autopsies
- Maintain organized specimen storage systems with proper labeling and documentation for traceability
- Use medical informatics systems to record autopsy data, findings, and specimen information
- Perform mortuary facility administration including inventory management and supply ordering
3
Health and Safety Protocols
- Follow procedures to control substances hazardous to health, including proper handling of biological materials
- Apply sterilization techniques to all instruments and equipment used in postmortem examinations
- Select appropriate hazard control measures and personal protective equipment for specific examination types
- Maintain infection control standards to prevent cross-contamination and protect health and safety
4
Legal and Ethical Compliance
- Understand and comply with legal requirements related to mortuary services and postmortem examinations
- Follow healthcare occupation-specific ethics standards, maintaining dignity and respect for the deceased
- Handle confidential information appropriately and maintain privacy regarding deceased individuals and their families
- Ensure proper documentation and disposal of biological materials according to regulatory and ethical guidelines
5
Body Reconstruction and Communication
- Assist with reconstructing the body after autopsy following established procedures and respecting the deceased
- Cope with unusual stimuli and emotional challenges inherent to mortuary facility environments
- Communicate professionally with pathologists, medical examiners, law enforcement, and families regarding examination results
- Provide information on mortuary services to families and relevant authorities with sensitivity and professionalism
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (31)
microbiology-bacteriologymicrobiology-bacteriologyMicrobiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.health care occupation-specific ethicshealth care occupation-specific ethicsThe moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patie...human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.infection controlinfection controlThe routes of transmission and methods of preventing spread of common and important infecting organisms together with the methods available for sterilisation and disinfection of pathogenic organisms i...sterilization techniquessterilization techniquesThe methods and techniques used to destroy or remove microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that can contaminate medical instruments or any type of material in a health care setting.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...legal requirements related to mortuary serviceslegal requirements related to mortuary servicesThe legal obligations and requirements for hospital and coroner post-mortem examinations. The requirements for death certifications and related documentation and for organ removal.medical informaticsmedical informaticsThe processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.pathological anatomypathological anatomyPathological anatomy is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.pathologypathologyThe components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.follow procedures to control substances hazardous to healthfollow procedures to control substances hazardous to healthAdhere to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) procedures for activities that involve hazardous substances, such as bacteria, allergens, waste oil, paint or brake fluids that result i...conduct visits to the postmortem roomconduct visits to the postmortem roomGuide all visitors to the post-mortem room, making sure they wear the appropriate protective clothing and follow correct procedures. Deal sympathetically with the relatives who may visit the mortuary ...select hazard controlselect hazard controlPerform appropriate selection of hazard control measures and risk management.cope with unusual stimuli in the mortuary facilitycope with unusual stimuli in the mortuary facilityDeal with strong smells and traumatic sights of deaths from road traffic collisions, suicides or suspicious death cases and keep calm and mental clarity.take samples during autopsytake samples during autopsyCollect samples from the deceased body such as bodily fluids and tissues for clinical examination, transplant purposes or research.perform mortuary facility administrationperform mortuary facility administrationImplement the day-to-day running of the mortuary service by ensuring the instruments are clean and sterile, placing the bodies into cold storage departments, tracking the samples of the deceased and k...communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.provide information on mortuary servicesprovide information on mortuary servicesProvide information support related to documentation such as death certificates, cremation forms and any other type of documents required by authorities or families of the deceased.assist with reconstructing the body after autopsyassist with reconstructing the body after autopsyAssist with the reconstruction and cleaning of the deceased body after post-mortem examinations.carry out an autopsycarry out an autopsyOpen the deceased person`s body and remove the organs for examination, interpreting the findings in the context of the clinical history.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.work with authorities related to mortuary serviceswork with authorities related to mortuary servicesLiaise with police, funeral directors, spiritual care personnel and the families of the deceased.perform pathology consultationsperform pathology consultationsPerform pathology consultations by preparing a complete report and making recommendations in response to a request from another health care professional or a medico-legal authority.manage infection control in the facilitymanage infection control in the facilityImplement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.observe confidentialityobserve confidentialityObserve the set of rules establishing the nondisclosure of information except to another authorised person.hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipmen...
Optional (15) — show
forensic pathologyforensic pathologyThe legal procedures and techniques used to determine the cause of death of an individual, as part of an investigation of criminal law cases.osteologyosteologyThe scientific study of human and animal skeletons, bone structure and specific bones. Osteology examines the bone structure as a whole and specific bones. The research can focus on diseases, function...medical terminologymedical terminologyThe meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.toxicologytoxicologyThe negative effects of chemicals on living organisms, their dose and exposure.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.perform forensic examinationsperform forensic examinationsPerform forensic examinations on a scene or in a laboratory of gathered data, in a manner compliant with forensic procedures, and to analyse the data using forensic methods.conduct routine blood testingconduct routine blood testingPerform routine tests on blood gases, electrolytes and metabolites.perform PCR covid testperform PCR covid testCollect respiratory components to detect COVID-19 virus in a patient using the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Proper use of the utensils necessary for performing t...dispose medical wastedispose medical wasteCarry out the appropriate technique to safely dispose all types of medical waste such as infective, toxic and radioactive waste.perform virological testperform virological testSelect, perform and interpret relevant virological tests related to eye infections, adenovirus, herpes simplex virus, chlamydia, etc.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.communicate in foreign languages with health service providerscommunicate in foreign languages with health service providersApply foreign languages in communicating with health service providers such as doctors and nurses.
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Frequently asked questions
What does an anatomical pathology technician do?
Anatomical pathology technicians assist specialised doctors in pathology in conducting post-mortem examinations, keeping records of the samples, specimens, organs and the respective findings and taking care of their appropriate disposal under supervision, following the orders of the doctor of medicine.
What skills does an anatomical pathology technician need?
An anatomical pathology technician needs 31 essential skills, including microbiology-bacteriology, health care occupation-specific ethics, human physiology, infection control, sterilization techniques.
Will AI replace anatomical pathology technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for anatomical pathology technician is 28/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: medical terminology, legal requirements related to mortuary services, comply with legislation related to health care. Most resilient: cope with unusual stimuli in the mortuary facility, work with authorities related to mortuary services, human anatomy.
AI Replacement Risk
28/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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