Gastrointestinal Assistant

Description:

Department Overview:

Provide descriptive statements which outline the purpose of the position. The GI Technician assists the RN and Physician by being an expert with the technical components, supplies and equipment involved in Endoscopy procedures. In addition to assisting the provider throughout the diagnostic and therapeutic procedure the GI Tech sets up and turns around the room pre and post procedure. The GI Tech assists with Endoscopy procedures in the ICU and Operating Room as needed and is responsible for transporting appropriate equipment to set up in these other locations. 24 hour call once per week as well as one weekend every 6 weeks is a requirement of this position. The GI Tech is also responsible for pre cleaning and decontamination of the endoscope.

Function/Duties of Position:

• Assist physicians and RN with GI diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

  • Prepare rooms with appropriate supplies and equipment for all assigned procedures.
  • Assist physician to obtain specimens. Appropriately preserve, label, and dispatch specimens to lab.
  • Manipulates equipment during procedure as requested by the physician.
  • Collaborates with endoscopy team to assist with successful procedure.
  • Identify and report to physician/RN any change in patient condition or complication of procedure.
  • Assists with trouble shooting GI equipment such as but not limited to: scopes, monitors, video equipment, cautery equipment.
  • Documents data as appropriate in medical record and records supplies used and patient charges.
  • Provide fundamental components of patient care.
  • Provide on call support for procedures after hours and on weekends on a rotational basis.

  Patient care

  • Provide patients with appropriate pre procedural education including answering questions regarding proper procedure preparation (in person or via telephone).
  • Answers patient questions - as deemed appropriate for scope of practice including preparation required for procedure.

  Equipment and Supplies

  • Clean and disinfect scopes according to unit policies and procedure.
  • Maintain equipment in proper working order. Inspect scopes for damage and protect to avoid damage during handling and cleaning.
  • Report malfunctioning equipment immediately to charge nurse or manager.
  • Send out equipment for repair or work with clinical engineering personnel to trouble shoot equipment or bring in appropriate repair technicians.
  • Stock rooms with equipment and supplies.
  • Monitor rooms/carts for outdated supplies
  • Monitor supplies for outdate and communicate with materials manager regarding inventory needs and reorder consumable supplies as assigned by management.
  • Document appropriately on stent logs and cleaning logs
  • Perform routine equipment/eyewash/refrigerator checks and document to maintain compliance.
  • Prepares supplies for autoclaving, receives instruments from sterile processing
  • Is the unit expert on endoscopy supplies/instruments/tools and how they are used and maintained on the unit. Acts as mentor towards others who need to learn about these items.

  Coordinate Activities

  • Accomplish caseload assignments in a timely manner
  • Communicate throughout procedure with provider and RN/
    CRNA.
  • Productively utilize unassigned time.
  • Complete projects as assigned by management
  • Participate in area specific continuous quality improvement program.
  • Participate in orientation and in teaching area specific skills.
  Other :
• Constant exposure to usual hospital environmental conditions.
• Exposure to x-ray.
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals as well as high level disinfectants.
• Possible exposure to body substances.