legal requirements related to mortuary services
The legal obligations and requirements for hospital and coroner post-mortem examinations. The requirements for death certifications and related documentation and for organ removal.
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.
Competences and skills
47 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 11 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceSector-specific
2 competencesmicrobiology-bacteriology
Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
pathological anatomy
Pathological anatomy is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Cross-sector
8 competenceshealth care occupation-specific ethics
The 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 patient confidentiality.
human anatomy
The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
human physiology
The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
hygiene in a health care setting
The 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 equipment used and infection control methods.
infection control
The 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 in the prevention of infection.
medical informatics
The processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.
digital
pathology
The components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.
- Scope note
- Excludes .
sterilization techniques
The 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.
Essential skills and competences 21 competences
Occupation specific
7 competencesassist with reconstructing the body after autopsy
Assist with the reconstruction and cleaning of the deceased body after post-mortem examinations.
conduct visits to the postmortem room
Guide 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 for identification or viewing of the deceased persons.
cope with unusual stimuli in the mortuary facility
Deal with strong smells and traumatic sights of deaths from road traffic collisions, suicides or suspicious death cases and keep calm and mental clarity.
perform mortuary facility administration
Implement 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 keeping accurate records related to the activities in the mortuary room.
provide information on mortuary services
Provide 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.
take samples during autopsy
Collect samples from the deceased body such as bodily fluids and tissues for clinical examination, transplant purposes or research.
work with authorities related to mortuary services
Liaise with police, funeral directors, spiritual care personnel and the families of the deceased.
Sector-specific
7 competencesaccept own accountability
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
apply context specific clinical competences
Apply 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 one`s own scope of practice.
carry out an autopsy
Open 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 practice
Apply 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 associations and authorities.
follow procedures to control substances hazardous to health
Adhere 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 in illness or injury.
green
perform pathology consultations
Perform 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.
work in multidisciplinary health teams
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Cross-sector
7 competencesadhere to organisational guidelines
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
communicate in healthcare
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
comply with legislation related to health care
Comply 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.
follow clinical guidelines
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
manage infection control in the facility
Implement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.
- Scope note
- Includes procedures such as hand washing, disinfection and proper skin care, universal hygiene precautions, collection and handling of laboratory specimens, segregation and disposal of waste materials, decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment, reporting and treatment of sharps injuries, and dealing with blood and body fluid spillages.
observe confidentiality
Observe the set of rules establishing the nondisclosure of information except to another authorised person.
select hazard control
Perform appropriate selection of hazard control measures and risk management
Optional knowledge 5 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceforensic pathology
The legal procedures and techniques used to determine the cause of death of an individual, as part of an investigation of criminal law cases.
Sector-specific
1 competenceosteology
The 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 or pathology of bones.
Cross-sector
3 competencesfirst aid
The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.
medical terminology
The meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.
toxicology
The negative effects of chemicals on living organisms, their dose and exposure.
Optional skills and competences 10 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceperform PCR covid test
Collect 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 the PCR covid test such as personal protective equipment, swabs, chemical tubes, and samples. Seal the sample into a tube and send it to a laboratory for analysis and interpretation.
Sector-specific
2 competencesconduct routine blood testing
Perform routine tests on blood gases, electrolytes and metabolites.
perform virological test
Select, perform and interpret relevant virological tests related to eye infections, adenovirus, herpes simplex virus, chlamydia, etc.
Cross-sector
7 competencescommunicate in foreign languages with health service providers
Apply foreign languages in communicating with health service providers such as doctors and nurses.
dispose medical waste
Carry out the appropriate technique to safely dispose all types of medical waste such as infective, toxic and radioactive waste.
green
perform forensic examinations
Perform 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.
train employees
Lead 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 performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
use foreign languages for health-related research
Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.
use foreign languages in patient care
Communicate 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.
work in a multicultural environment in health care
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.