How to become
You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or a trainee position.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Mortuary Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship - Pathology route.
This can take up to 2 years to complete and must be done while working in a public or NHS mortuary.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
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Other Routes
You could start as a trainee assistant in an NHS or local authority pathology service. Training combines learning on the job with classroom study and leads to a Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Science - Pathology.
Initially, you would watch a pathologist at work, then start to do some basic tasks yourself under the supervision of experienced staff.
To become a trainee you would normally need:
- 5 GCSEs or equivalent at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, maths and a science - usually biology
- good IT skills
- to be sensitive to the issues facing families dealing with the death of a loved one
- an awareness and respect for different religious beliefs about death
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Career tips
Experience in record keeping, legal issues or health and safety may be helpful for trainee positions.
Professional and industry bodies
Once you have your level 3 diploma, you can apply to join the Royal Society of Public Health and the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology.
Further information
You can find out more about becoming an anatomical pathology technician from Health Careers and the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology.