Endoscopy Technician in Jamestown, North Dakota at Jamestown Regional Medical Center

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The Endoscopy Technician is a vital member of the Endoscopy team who supports the safe, efficient, and high-quality care of patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures. This position assists the endoscopist and nursing staff before, during, and after procedures; is responsible for the cleaning, high-level disinfection, handling, testing, storage of flexible endoscopes and accessories in accordance with current evidence-based guidelines and manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFUs); and maintains knowledge of regulatory requirements established by professional organizations and accrediting agencies. The Endoscopy Technician promotes patient safety, infection prevention, operational efficiency, and exceptional customer service while supporting the mission, vision, and values of the organization.

This position is full time, benefited, working 72 hours per pay period, working 4-5 days per week. Hours are 6:30-3:00. No nights, weekends or holidays. This position will be cross trained as surgery scheduler. Must have good phone etiquette, organizational skills and basic computer skills.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Patient Care and Procedure Assistance

• Assists the physician and nursing staff during diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures.
• Prepares procedure rooms, equipment, and supplies prior to each case.
• Anticipates the needs of the physician during procedures and provides instruments, accessories, and equipment in a timely manner.
• Assists with patient positioning, specimen handling, and room turnover.
• Ensures appropriate functionality of endoscopic equipment prior to procedures.
• Maintains a safe environment for patients and staff throughout the procedural experience.
• Demonstrates respect for patient dignity, privacy, and confidentiality.

Endoscope Reprocessing

• Performs bedside pre-cleaning, leak testing, manual cleaning, high-level disinfection, rinsing, drying, storage, and transportation of flexible endoscopes according to current standards and manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFUs).
• Operates automated endoscope reprocessors (AERs) according to manufacturer specifications.
• Verifies that all cleaning and disinfection processes are completed accurately before scopes are returned to service.
• Performs quality assurance testing and documentation for endoscope reprocessing equipment.
• Maintains accurate documentation and traceability of scope reprocessing and patient usage.
• Properly handles, inspects, and reports damaged scopes or equipment.
• Assists with inventory management of endoscopes, accessories, and reprocessing supplies.

Infection Prevention and Regulatory Compliance

• Demonstrates knowledge of current standards and guidelines for endoscope reprocessing, infection prevention, and patient safety.
• Maintains compliance with organizational policies and procedures, manufacturer IFUs, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Adheres to Standard Precautions and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Recognizes and reports breaches in infection prevention practices or equipment concerns.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives related to endoscopy services.
• Maintains competency in flexible endoscope reprocessing through ongoing education and annual competency validation.

Equipment and Department Support

• Cleans, inspects, and maintains endoscopy equipment and accessories.
• Performs routine equipment checks and reports malfunctioning equipment promptly.
• Stocks procedure rooms and reprocessing areas with necessary supplies.
• Assists with room turnover to promote efficient patient flow.
• Maintains organization and cleanliness of procedure and reprocessing areas.
• Assists with ordering, receiving, and stocking supplies as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION

1. Preparation & Training - High School diploma or equivalent.
2. Work Experience - Prior work experience in the medical field is preferred but not required.
3. Attendance - Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at JRMC. Employee are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees are also expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule.
4. Analytical Ability - Required to gather and interpret data on physician preference cards, to anticipate surgical needs and display knowledge of the step-by-step procedures. Must be able to determine priorities within area of assignment.
5. Independent Judgement - Makes some independent judgments regarding patient care during set up. Receives supervision and guidance from the registered nurse or physician. Judgments are based on policies and procedures. Substandard performance in nursing skills or judgments may adversely affect patient care or welfare and hospital goodwill.
6. Contact with Others Contacts - limited to individuals entering the endoscopy suite. Must demonstrate social sensitivity and the ability to communicate effectively with co workers, patients, physicians and students
7. Supervising the Work of Others - Demonstrates leadership and teaching capabilities. Must have organizational skills. Must be able to prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks. Supervision is provided to student surgical technologists.
8. Responsibility for Welfare of Others - High frequency with which work performed may result in pain, minor injuries and/or stress for others. Must be accurate in performance of responsibilities.
9. Mental/Visual Effort - Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must demonstrate physical and emotional ability to meet agreed upon work schedule and performance standards required by the position. Required duties are such that concentrated attention must be applied on demand consistent with manual skill requirements in situations that may at times be stressful. Visual acuity necessary for reading charts and working with medical devices; color perception necessary to distinguish between different instrument, supplies, and equipment.
10. Working Conditions - OSHA job classification: This position is defined as a Category I in which the employee does have exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Position requires exposure to patients with infectious disease and odor. Must practice aseptic techniques and observe Standard Precautions. Participates in and complies with JRMC Safety Management program. Position is subject to frequent interruptions. Work may be beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary. Position is subject to on-call for the O.R after normal working hours.
11. Physical & Sensory Effort - Frequent standing or walking. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients and/or equipment. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching. Needs finger dexterity when handling medication, specialized equipment/instruments and performing nursing functions. Requires standing for extended periods of time without relief.
12. Hazard - Due to the nature of the work, carelessness with instruments and sharps could cause moderate harm.
13. Background - A comprehensive background check will be conducted as a condition of employment for this role.
14. Drug Screen - A urine drug screening is required for all positions and must be completed within 30 days of the date of hire.
15. Promotion - Opportunities for promotion may exist depending on performance and departmental needs.
16. Physical Requirement - These are physical requirements of the position that may be performed as part of daily duties. Inability to meet one or more of these physical requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for reasonable accommodation, JRMC may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates and the proposed accommodation.

Employee Requirements:

• Visual Observation - Continuously
• Standing - Continuously
• Walking - Frequently
• Sitting - Rarely
• Hands and Finger Dexterity - Continuously
• Reaching with Hands and Arms - Continuously
• Climbing - Occasionally
• Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling - Occasionally
• Hearing/Listening - Continuously
• Tasting or Smelling - Occasionally
• Working Inside - Continuously
• Working Outside - Never
• Working in Extreme Heat - Never
• Working in Extreme Cold - Never
• Working with Hazardous Materials - Frequently
• Noise - Frequently
• Working in Dirt/Dust - Never
• Driving - Never

Lifting/Carrying/Pushing/Pulling:

• Up to 10 pounds - Frequently
• Up to 25 pounds - Frequently
• Up to 50 pounds - Rarely
• Up to 75 pounds - Never
• Up to 100 pounds - Never
• Over 100 pounds - Never