Senior Endoscopy Assistant -Band 3 - Endoscopy

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the full job description for more detail in supporting information

Job summary:

To support qualified staff in the direct and indirect care of patients and other department related

duties.

The post holder will be involved with patient admission/discharge, recovery, decontamination and assisting with a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic investigations; including gastro-intestinal, urological, and respiratory endoscopic procedures.

There will be a variety of shifts, some evenings and Saturday working, to meet Trust and Government targets.

Following training, you will be expected to participate in the emergency out of hours on-call rota; to participate in the decontamination, traceability and maintenance of endoscopes and other specialised equipment used in endoscopic and non-endoscopic procedures.

Job responsibilities:

KEY TASKS:

To assist with patient admission/discharge, recovery, decontamination of equipment and assisting Endoscopists with a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic investigation, including gastro-intestinal, urological and respiratory endoscopic procedures.

Assist in the delivery of a high standard of patient care in all activities of daily living where necessary (as described below), observing and reporting specific changes and documenting care given:

Hygiene

Assist patients with the maintenance of their personal hygiene, including:

o Washing and Bathing

o Dressing and Undressing

Observe and report any changes/damage to patients skin.

Elimination

Assist patients to use toilet facilities.

Identify any abnormalities in body waste.

Undertake established stoma care and catheter care as required.

Mobility

Assist patients with mobility using safe manual handling techniques.

Contribute to the movement and positioning of patients (using safe moving and handling techniques), to maximise their physical comfort and prevent the adverse effects of pressure.

Be aware of how equipment works and report any faults.

Clinical Activities

Measure and observe the physical characteristics/condition of patients as follows:

Temperature

Pulse Respiration

Blood Pressure

Peak Flows

Weight and Girth

Mews

Oxygen saturation

Pain score

Comfort score

Obtain specimens as requested and carry out relevant investigations, e.g. urinalysis and reporting the results to qualified staff.

Adhere to the basic principles of infection control demonstrating effective hand hygiene and awareness of potential cross infection.

Following training and competency assessment, you will be required to carry out patient admissions for all endoscopic procedures; reporting any problems or abnormalities to the trained nurse.

Prepare and support patients pre and post endoscopic procedures; following training and assessment you will be required to assist/support the endoscopist with accessories during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Accompany patients to other wards/departments as required.

Undertake last offices, providing support to family and colleagues.

Demonstrate basic cleaning and decontamination of communal equipment between patient use and storage.

Carry out the care of skin lesions and the application of simple dressings.

Carry out clinical interventions identified as part of the role and for which competency has been assessed, including recording of ECGs, phlebotomy, cannulation, and blood glucose testing, documenting and reporting the results.

Use assessment tools to document pain, pressure sore risk and nutrition risk score.

Assist patients with medications that have been administered and checked by a qualified nurse.

Administer suppositories, pessaries and prepared enemas that have been checked by a qualified nurse.

Technical Responsibilities

To be aware of, and demonstrate adherence to, the Trusts policy on infection control and waste disposal.

To adhere to the recommendations for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and risk assessments appropriate to the clinical area.

To adhere to the principles of universal precautions in all aspects of patient care and when handling endoscopic equipment

Identify endoscopes required each day for use within the Endoscopy unit, remote areas and after hours use and prepare as per local and BSG guidelines.

Clean and decontaminate endoscopic equipment in accordance with local and national guidelines and protocols

Maintain accurate traceability records of all endoscopes and endoscopic accessories and ancillaries.

Report deficiencies in stock levels to the Nurse in Charge and assist in the ordering of supplies

To participate in any Endoscopy Training programmes

Communication and team working

Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, relatives and colleagues, referring to senior staff as necessary.

Answer the telephone and relay messages accurately, courteously and competently.

Welcome patients and visitors in a professional, friendly and helpful manner.

Work effectively as a member of the ward team, offering support to colleagues and requesting assistance as necessary.

Record care given accurately, legibly, completely and concisely.

Contribute to the induction, training and development of unqualified staff within the unit.

Privacy, dignity, equality

Act to promote patients equality, diversity and rights at all times.

Ensure provision of privacy and dignity in all activities.

Ensure all care is individualised and delivered with the informed consent of the patient.

Maintain confidentiality of patient information at all times.

Administrative

Ensure appropriate management and security of patients property.

Enter data into computerised systems as required

Undertake errands off the ward as required e.g. to pharmacy, blood bank.

Report repairs/maintenance issues appropriately.

Demonstrate insight into own development needs and access development through an agreed Personal Development Plan.

Attend mandatory training, and other in-service training as necessary.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Approachable
• Punctual
• Uses own initiative
• Flexible approach to working hours and duties
• Good team worker
• Ability to stand for long periods of time wearing radiation protection
• Able to work in an environment where there is noise and some low risk fumes.
• Manual dexterity using and cleaning specialist equipment and accessories
• Able to participate in emergency out of hours on-call rota.

Qualifications

Essential

• Basic numeracy & literacy (A-C English & Maths)

Desirable

• Studied to Level 3 (or willing to undertake in-house competency training)

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Good communication skills
• Able to competently organise and carryout designated work load within scope of previous training /competences
• Able to work in a team environment
• Able to work independently

Desirable

• Keyboard/IT skills
• IV Cannulation

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of development

Desirable

• Previous hospital experience
• Endoscopy/decontamination experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Harwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk

IP33 2QZ

Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)