Endoscopy Staff Nurse

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

B SUMMARY:
To provide and maintain the highest possible standards of nursing care within the Endoscopy Department.
 Assess, monitor and support patients undergoing endoscopy
 Assist the Endoscopist to undertake diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
 Communicate effectively with patients to prepare them for procedures and provide accurate information regarding diagnosis and aftercare
CLINICAL DUTIES:
1. Give and receive patient centred hand-overs, ensuring that accurate information regarding the procedure is given to patients both verbally and in writing.
2. Assess, develop and implement patient care plans and evaluate the care given, ensuring legibility and accuracy of nursing records and be aware of legal implications of these documents.
3. Assist and supervise other members of the nursing team as appropriate. As personal competencies are achieved assist in the monitoring of all junior staff, (including junior staff nurses, clinical support workers, departmental assistants and clerical staff), promote safe and high quality standards of care.
4. Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality at all times.
5. Ensure good communication exists between all health care professionals to promote harmonious working relationships and safe working practices.
JD / JW July 2017
6. Ensure good communication with patients and their relatives within the unit and over the telephone, demonstrating awareness of barriers to communication and understanding, i.e. deafness and different languages.
7. Undertake pre, peri and post endoscopy care for patients, including those who have sedation
8. Ensure safe recovery post procedure, monitor the patient to ensure early identification of post endoscopic complications.
9. Respond calmly to emergency situations, maintaining patient safety and seeking immediate support, and supporting the patient, family and other staff as required
10. Administer drugs in accordance with trust policy and ensure the safe custody and storage of all drugs used within the endoscopy unit
11. Demonstrate technical competence and clinical effectiveness in assisting with endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, ensuring all necessary equipment is available and working correctly
12. Take biopsies and correctly label and dispatch the specimens.
13. Demonstrate competence in the decontamination, disinfection and management of endoscopes and accessories, including the safe handling and storage of equipment.
14. Adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct at all times and practice within the NMC Scope of Professional practice, maintaining patient confidentiality at all times. Adhere to the data protection act.
ORGANISATIONAL & MANAGEMENT DUTIES
15. Demonstrate organisational skills in order to take regular charge of the endoscopy procedure room
16. Report untoward incidents such as complaints, clinical emergencies, injury or drug administration errors as detailed in departmental and Trust protocols and procedures, assisting Sister in investigating incidents as required.
17. Regularly participate in department meetings to enhance team communication.
18. Maintain an awareness of the need for good housekeeping, helping to ensure expenditure is within budgetary limits.
19. Develop competency in the use of IT systems within the unit, collating test results, ENDOBASE and EPR system. (Blood, histology etc).
JD / JW July 2017
20. Contribute toward ward projects and audits as directed by Ward Manager or deputies.
21. Be accountable for some specific responsibilities that contribute toward the organisational and administrative work of the department, as link nurses.
22. Demonstrate an awareness of health and safety regulations that apply to staff and patients in the clinical area and compliance with the procedures.
23. Maintain and contribute to the development of standards of practice, conduct or decision making in conjunction with team leaders/ward manager/unit co-ordinator.
24. Ensure that staff present a smart, professional image that enhances the public perception of the Trust and the professionalism of its staff
EDUCATION
25. Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and maintain registration in line with NMC requirements
26. Discuss personal and professional development needs during an annual appraisal with Team Leader and developing, agreeing and documenting action points in personal development plan.
27. Be actively involved in, and support the departmental education programme
28. Complete or be working towards Endoscopy and Trust competencies within a time frame agreed with Sister and with the support of a named mentor.
29. Develop skills to supervise, mentor, support and educate junior nurses in the clinical practice setting, guiding practice, assessing competence, enabling and supporting their learning.
30. Attend mandatory study days, and others, relevant to Endoscopy. Demonstrate a commitment to research based practice and clinical excellence and play an active part in the introduction of research-based change to improve patient centred care.
31. Promote researched-based practice, quality assurance and clinical audit where appropriate.