Endoscopy Nurse

What does an Endoscopy Nurse do?

Endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure where a tiny camera, called an endoscope, is inserted into the body to examine abnormalities in the structure of hollow internal organs like the throat, ear, nose, and anal cavity. Physicians can also use endoscopes to carry out minor surgery without having to cut open patients.

Hospitals rely on endoscopy nurses to prepare the patient before the procedure, monitor the patient’s vital signs during the operation, and provide care and instructions after the endoscopic procedure. The nurse might also handle emergency measures during and after the procedure.

Here are some other primary duties of an endoscopy nurse:

Pre Procedure

  • Preparing an endoscopy room with suitable instruments, equipment, and supplies.
  • Cleaning and sterilising all tools and equipment.
  • Reviewing pre-procedure patient information
  • Performing patient assessment
  • Educating patients on what to expect.
  • Answering patient questions and addressing concerns, if any.
  • Sedating patients

During Procedure

  • Assisting endoscopist
  • Monitoring patient’s vital signs and pain level
  • Monitoring patient’s sedation
  • Alerting physician of patient’s status.
  • Observing HIPAA regulations
  • Responding efficiently in case of an emergency

Post Procedure

  • Completing necessary documentation, including discharge papers
  • Assisting recovering patients
  • Answering patient’s questions and concerns
  • Accepting, labelling, documenting, and logging all specimens.
  • Cleaning, inspecting, functional testing, sterilising, and storing endoscopy equipment and instruments.

What does an Endoscopy Nurse do

Skills and Qualifications of an Endoscopy Nurse

Before becoming an endoscopy nurse, you are required to possess at least an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a nursing diploma with one-year clinical experience. Although, most employers prefer hiring licensed endoscopy nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or higher and at least two years of endoscopy experience.

Here are some other skills and qualifications you’ll need as an endoscopy nurse:

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Attention to detail and observant
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Above-average physical and mental health
  • Comprehensive and current knowledge of endoscopy procedures, techniques, sedation, and emergency nursing interventions.
  • Exceptional organisational skills
  • Ability to remain calm in stressful conditions
  • Adequate experience in inpatient care
  • Efficient analysis skills
  • Time management skills

Skills and Qualifications of an Endoscopy Nurse

How to Become an Endoscopy Nurse?

The steps to becoming an endoscopy nurse are similar to other nursing specialties. First, you’ll need to become a registered nurse before gaining clinical endoscopy experience. Some states require certifications to practice as an endoscopy nurse, while others require adequate expertise.

After earning your licence as a registered nurse, you may also take additional courses specific to endoscopy procedures. Such courses might help you build on your basic endoscopy knowledge and skills and prepare you for clinical experience.

Here’s a step-by-step procedure on how to become an endoscopy nurse:

Step 1: Complete a Nurse Education Program

You will need to learn either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Earning an ADN takes two years, while a BSN takes four years to complete. Higher education is usually equivalent to better opportunities and higher pay in nursing. Hence, many employers prefer to hire nurses with a BSN rather than an ADN.

Step 2: Get Licensed as a Registered Nurse

Nursing graduates must take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) to obtain licensure as registered nurses. And becoming a registered nurse is crucial to pursuing a career in endoscopy.

Step 3: Gain Endoscopy Experience

After obtaining licensure, you’ll need hands-on endoscopy-specific training. You must complete at least two years of experience working as a nurse in the endoscopy unit of a hospital, clinic, or any equivalent setting.

Step 4: Get a Job

The last step to becoming an endoscopy nurse is to get hired to work as one. According to the NurseJournal, the job growth rate for endoscopy nurses is expected to increase by 22% in 2022.

Many employers prefer to find and hire candidates through online labour platforms, like Velju, which connects employers to endoscopy nurses who get hired without even having to apply for a job.

Nurses

Where Do Endoscopy Nurses Work?

Endoscopy nurses may work in various settings, such as the endoscopy unit of hospitals, clinics, outpatient or inpatient endoscopy suites, or a specialist’s office.

How Much Do Endoscopy Nurses Make?

Endoscopy nurses make an excellent salary, and the outlook looks even more positive. According to Comparably, endoscopy nurses in America make an average salary of $72,833 annually or around $37 every hour.

The salary ranges from $63,531 to $89,493 with the middle 57% of Endoscopy nurses earning between $70,380 and $76,492, and the top nurses making $89,493.

Endoscopy nurses also report receiving consistent yearly bonuses, and they can sometimes make over $11,000 in overtime compensation.

FAQ

While registered nurses don’t typically perform endoscopies, a study in a London institution on over 3000 patients has shown that they have similar outcomes to physicians with upper and lower endoscopy. However, it would be best to make sure performing an endoscopy is within your scope of practice and that they comply with your state’s guidelines. Also, check your medical malpractice policy or that of your employer to ensure performing an endoscopy is covered by your liability policy.

The average salary of ER nurse is different in every European country. For example, the country that pays the most for ER nursing jobs is Luxembourg with an average salary being EUR 80,727. Next on the list is Denmark with an average salary of EUR 77,565. Switzerland offers the third-highest salary for ER nurses in Europe, with an average of EUR 57,478.

And of course, the salary will also depend on the position you will be working at and your level of experience.

Endoscopy nurses in the EU make as much as €74 574 every year or an equivalent hourly rate of €36 in Luxembourg, to an average base salary of €32, 953 annually or €15.84 hourly in Germany.

According to data gotten from SalaryExpert, here’s a breakdown of how much endoscopy nurses make in other European countries:

  • Netherlands: Endoscopy nurses working in Utrecht, Netherlands, earn an average base salary of €64,030 or an equivalent hourly rate of €31. They also make an average bonus of €980.
  • Denmark: An entry-level endoscopy nurse with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of 363,822 kr. (€48,924). On the other end, a senior-level endoscopy nurse with at least eight years of experience earns an average salary of 626,870 kr. (€84,296).
  • Norway: Norway’s average endoscopy nurse salary is kr 676, 926 (€67,667) or an equivalent hourly rate of kr 325 (€32.49). In addition, they earn an average bonus of kr 10,357 (€1035).

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