Anatomical pathology technologist

Play an important part in helping doctors investigate causes of death.

You'll assist a specialist doctor called a pathologist as they carry out post-mortems. Together, you'll examine a body to understand how and why the person died. With experience, you could work with forensic pathologists on cases involving suspicious deaths.

You'll work in a mortuary, where you'll support families who come to view relatives who have died. It's important to be respectful and empathetic at all times.

The work you do can help give answers to families about the death of a loved one. It can also save lives by supporting organ donation procedures.

The profession combines science, medicine and care, and needs people who are compassionate and have a keen eye for detail.

Your tasks might include:

• receiving and releasing bodies from the mortuary

• taking, delivering and disposing of samples, specimens and organs

• reconstructing and cleaning bodies after examination

• keeping equipment and instruments sterile and ready for use

• helping families with viewings or information on funeral arrangements

• supporting with paperwork such as identification records and death certificates

• NHS Scotland Careers – how to become an anatomical pathology technologist

• Royal Society for Public Health – learn more about careers in public health

• NHS Education for Scotland – recruitment and careers support