Everything you ever wanted to know about the role, requirements, certifications, and salaries of the Gastrointestinal Nurse in the GI lab.
SpecialtiesGastroenterologyArticle
Gastrointestinal (GI) Nurses specialize in issues and diseases of the stomach, esophagus, and bowel. This specialty area is a job that continually evolves as equipment improves, new procedures are developed, and science learns more about how the GI tract functions.
Being a Gastrointestinal Nurse is a complex, but interesting job. Knowing the intestinal tract landmarks and disease processes are an important part of the job. Infection control issues are also a huge part of GI nursing. Not all GI labs have nurses wash the scopes, but even so, they must be educated on the cleaning process and storage aspects of the scopes.
Most Common Procedures in a GI Lab (not all-inclusive)
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Colonoscopy
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
Small Bowel Enteroscopy
Other Procedures (not all-inclusive)
Endoscopic ultrasound
Bravo Ph study
Esophageal and/or Anorectal Manometry
Radiofrequency Ablation
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
Fecal Transplant
GI Procedure Personnel
There are two personnel in the room in addition to the physician. One must be an RN; the other one can be an RN or a Tech. The majority of facilities use anesthesia, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), to administer propofol intravenously, and in others, the RN provides conscious sedation through the IV such as versed, sublimaze, benadryl, and valium.
Role of the RN in the GI Lab
The RN can function as the Circulator in the room or as the tech. The exact duties will be different depending on the layout of the facility.
Circulator RN
Chart all of the information: Patient name, doctor name, staff, scope used, start/stop/cecal time, findings, procedure, etc.
Label specimens and enter them into the computer for processing
Use closed-loop communication with post-op diagnosis and specimens
Be available to help the tech, such as getting the equipment that is not closely available
Provide pressure on the abdomen as needed to assist the doctor
Be available to help the CRNA if needed for airway management, emergency equipment, and medication
Be the third eye watching the screen for abnormal findings, such as polyps
Tech
Directly assist the GI physician with obtaining specimens with biopsy forceps, snares, etc.
Set up the room before the procedure with everything needed for the procedure: scope, cleaning material such as enzymatic soap, towels, 4x4s, etc.
Clean the scopes after the procedures are finished, called bedside cleaning which is an important step in infection prevention. It includes sucking 500cc of enzymatic soap/water through the scope after blowing air through it, then wiping it down with a soapy lint-free cloth. Knowing the scope anatomy and handling procedures is vital to keeping the scope working properly and prevent damage
Know infection control standards and how to maintain clean/dirty surfaces as well as possibly sterile ones.
Perform closed-loop communication
Desired Qualities
The GI nurse must be focused in order to process all the information/activity that happens in a procedure.
Good communication is an asset not only with each other, but with the physician.
Willingness to learn - every day can be a teaching experience in the GI lab.
Organization is an important skill to have while working in the GI lab. The fast pace and turnover requires the nurse to work in a coordinated fashion with the rest of the personnel in the room.
Critical thinking is an asset in the GI lab, there are often emergencies that require the nurse to be forward-thinking,
Education is a large part of being a GI nurse, so having the knowledge and skill to convey disease processes, their treatment, and long-term management is important for the patients
Work Areas (not all-inclusive)
GI lab in freestanding ambulatory units
Hospital GI lab (often require the nurses to be on-call which means covering 24 hours for emergencies)
Physician clinic/office GI lab
Job Requirements
Graduate from accredited RN nursing program
Degree: Diploma, ADN, BSN or higher
Successfully pass NCLEX-RN
Current, unencumbered RN license in U.S. state of practice
