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Discussion

ENT NP

Is there anyone who currently works or worked as Nurse Practitioner in an ENT office?

Have you done the following procedures:

1) Nasal bleed cauterization;

2) Scoping with flexible fiber-optic scope (visualizing throat and vocal cords);

3) Salivary stone removal;

4) FNA for neck mass;

5) Peritonsillar abscess aspiration;

6) Myringotomy / ear tubes placement;

7) Allergy testing (in-office) and allergy shots.

Thanks!

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    Anyone with ANY experience in the above procedures?

    I am a new grad and I am offered a part-time position in ENT office. I was wondering if these procedures are something that a new grad can be trained to do in the office setting by the hiring MD (surgeon) or I will need some kind of official training. I am also expected to do allergy testing and the only provider who knew how to do it left a while ago, so "on-the-job" training is not even an option for that one...

    Any advice is greatly appreciated!

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    You need to check with your state BON and then with the facility P&P to see if you would be allowed to do the procedures.

    I was trained and did fiberoptic endos as a student in an ENT-ONC setting.

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    Thanks for advice, BostonFNP!

    How difficult was it to learn how to do fiber-optic endoscopy?

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    Thanks for advice, BostonFNP!

    How difficult was it to learn how to do fiber-optic endoscopy?

    The technical skill isn't too bad to learn, for me was a lot like video games, the more difficult part is making sure you know what you are looking at (physiology vs pathophysiology).

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    • Guides

    I work in allergy, and there's some overlap with ENT. I've been trained to do fiber optic nasal endoscopy. It is technically easy, but like Boston says, you do need to know what you're looking at. Allergy testing is also easy, technique-wise. Our medical assistants do the actual testing, but I interpret it and make a treatment plan. You have to know what medications interfere with testing, when dermatographism negates your results, and how to deal with anaphylaxis (yes, some people will react that strongly during testing). Do they do just environmental testing or do they do food, venom, drug, chemical testing, too? Allergy shots are also technically easy, but you have to titrate doses, deal with reactions, and potentially mix and dilute allergy sera. At my practice, this is all done by nurses, not providers.

    Hope this helps.

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    • Author

    Thanks, BostonFNP and BCgradnurse!

    Since I work in OR, I have seen my fair share of intubations with glidescope (it has a monitor that shows the trachea and vocal cords to assist with difficult airway), EGDs, Bronchs and FESS, so I have a very good idea of normal versus abnormal looking structures. The surgeon also mentioned that he will provide me with a book that he uses for his ENT residents.

    As for allergy testing - I am totally new to that, so I don't even know where to start...

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    Thanks, BostonFNP and BCgradnurse!

    Since I work in OR, I have seen my fair share of intubations with glidescope (it has a monitor that shows the trachea and vocal cords to assist with difficult airway), EGDs, Bronchs and FESS, so I have a very good idea of normal versus abnormal looking structures. The surgeon also mentioned that he will provide me with a book that he uses for his ENT residents.

    As for allergy testing - I am totally new to that, so I don't even know where to start...

    Are they already doing allergy testing or do they expect you to start a program? You can try finding some info on the ACAAI or AAAAI websites. Are there any written protocols in the office?

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    My MAs doing our allergy testing in the office.

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    • Author

    BCgradnurse,

    Thanks for the response.

    I am expected to start allergy testing program in the office. They have 2 LPNs there, I don't know if the surgeons (they have 3 of them there) expect me to do the testing and then analyze the results, talk to the patient and come up with the treatment plan, or LPN will be doing the technical part of it (would need to be trained to do it, I guess) and I will be doing the rest. I will get more info on that.

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    Curious how your entry into ENT went. Looking at that specialty and I am a new graduate. Any learning tips?

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