starting new position in endoscopy center

Specialties Gastroenterology

Published

Hello

I accepted a position in an endoscopy center and will start in 2 wks. I have worked at the bedside for over 15 yrs and ready for a change. I know this will very different than what I am used and looking forward to the challenge. Does anyone have any tips or resources that I can use to help me be successful in this new position?

Is it a free standing out patient clinic? You'll be doing routine scopes of relatively healthy people?

Or part of an acute care hospital where you will be dealing with sicker patients and emergencies?

It's part of an acute care hospital.

I worked an outpatient GI clinic that was also part of an acute care hospital.

Working the out patient side, healthy patients for routine screenings I could be assigned to: 1) admit nurse, do a pre-op check list, NPO, allergies, make sure they have a ride home, sign the consent, start the IV, etc. 2) Be in the procedure room to give moderate sedation, label specimens, and sometimes inject sclerotherapy or tattooing agents. 3) Work discharge, monitor the patient, give some juice and crackers, go over discharge instructions, etc.

Where I have worked "techs" took care of the endoscopy cart, handing the doctor the scopes, etc.

Now days many centers are using anesthesiologists or CRNA's for sedation, but a nurse is still in the room to label specimens, and help the tech, the GI doctor, and anesthesiologists.

Working admit and discharge, the emphasis may be on speed. Theoretically these are healthy patients and the unit makes money by doing a lot of procedures. Use common sense, but a very cursory physical assessment is done. Seldom is there a need to listen to lungs, hearts, etc., Same in recovery, a normal healthy patient, even after sedation, may be out the door 1/2 hour after arrival.

In-patients were brought down to the unit from their floor. Still need a pre-op check list done, really pretty similar to out patient.

Emergencies were mostly (only) GI bleeders. That is a nightmare. They are in ICU and the equipment is taken there.

You Tube has good video of what goes on during endoscopies.

Remember you are NEW to endoscopy. Ask the most stupid basic questions you can. Most gastroenterologists I've worked with love to teach. Your first few weeks of orientation are your chance. Working admit and discharge are kind of basic nursing. If you work in the procedure room you will be exposed to soooo many new things. Ask about the different scopes, find out about the equipment even if the tech sets it all up. Techs are a wealth of information. Ask the doctor to explain what they are seeing on the monitor, what the landmarks are, etc.

You may also deal with with liver biopsies, paracentesis, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, (I love to say that word, but had to Google the spelling). Again I'd bet you can find them all on You Tube.

You may have to be on call for emergencies. Be sure you understand what being on call entails and how to request days you cannot be on call.

1 Votes

I am already planning on carrying a little note book to jot stuff down. With everything being so new I will never remember it all at first. I will definitely check out some youtube videos. Thank you

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