A career in endoscopy is promising but also comes with a lot of requirements and hard work.
If you are interested in becoming an endoscopy practitioner, it is important to be aware of the ins and outs of the job.
Although your main job will be assisting physicians performing endoscopies, you will also be required to perform other tasks like handling equipment and taking care of the patients.
Today we will tell you everything you need to know about becoming an endoscopy practitioner.
Education
It is not necessary to complete a full bachelor’s degree in order to become an endoscopy practitioner.
Many people complete an associate’s degree in MLT- Medical Laboratory Technology or an Endoscopy Technician diploma program.
There are also several certificate courses which are available in universities and colleges if you want to take the shorter route.
The ABCGN certification (American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses) is one of the most popular and reputed ones.
People who have a medical degree or surgical training along with specialized endoscopy training have a higher chance of being employed and can get access to well-paying job opportunities.
Some other qualifications include
- Experience in inter-operative gastroenterology procedures.
- Experience in GI endoscopy assistance.
- Colonoscopy training.
- Knowledge of endoscopy decontamination.
- A nursing license.
Experience
Most clinical associations prefer candidates who have on-site experience or have worked as a nurse, surgical assistant or related fields.
Getting job experience will help you be familiar with a clinical environment, the equipment and the procedures which are routinely followed.
This includes steps involved in endoscopy procedures and functions of endoscopy equipment like an endoscope, insufflator, endoscope drying cabinet and others.
You also need to develop strong communication skills in order to communicate with your patients and keep them informed of their condition.
A combination of practical, organizational and communication skills will significantly raise your chances of qualifying for an endoscopy practitioner position.
You should be able to handle a packed schedule and multiple responsibilities at once. The hospital can call you anytime for emergency procedures and you have to be on call.
Responsibilities
The main job of an endoscope practitioner is to assist in endoscopy operations and take care of the patients who are going through them.
Apart from this they also have other responsibilities.
- Pre-surgical and post-surgical procedures like sterilization and preparation of equipment.
- Monitoring the patient during the procedure – checking blood levels, temperature and pressure.
- Assisting the main doctor and carrying out his requests.
- Taking care of the patient’s needs and requests and making sure they are comfortable.
- Participating in training sessions and seminars for endoscopy practitioners.
- Maintaining the medical history and records of the patients.
- Keeping up to date with the latest equipment and procedures.
- Following all the rules and policies outlined by the specific institution for practitioners.
- Knowing how important endoscopy procedures are performed and the equipment used for the same.
How Long It Takes To Be An Endoscopy Practitioner
It can take anywhere from three to five years to become an endoscopy practitioner.
A bachelor’s degree will take four years while an associates degree will take only two years. If you are completing a training program after your degree, it might take you a few more years.
In order to be a full fledged and ABGN-certified endoscopy practitioner, you need two years of experience in endoscopy.
Advantages And Disadvantages of Being An Endoscopy Practitioner
A few of the advantages include,
- Endoscopy practitioners usually make a good income especially if you have been working for some time. Entry level practitioners make an average of $32,000 while experienced ones earn up to $135,000 per year. You can even make money while you are on-call.
- An endoscope practitioner position is a secure job profession. There will always be people who need endoscopy procedures done so you don’t have to worry about going out of a job.
- You will not have location restrictions. Jobs for endoscopy practitioners can be found in all places since your skills are applicable everywhere.
- You will receive benefits like health insurance and paid vacations. Some jobs also offer you pension after retirement.
- It is a profession which will teach you a lot of things related to technology and medicine.
A few of the disadvantages include,
- You will be busy working most of the day. It isn’t a relaxing job and you will have to perform many tasks at once. There will be many procedures which require your assistance and presence. It can get exhausting and stressful if you don’t find a healthy balance.
- The degree will be expensive. Unlike some professions, a formal education, certification or degree is essential to be an endoscopy practitioner. In private institutions, the cost will be even higher.
- The licensing exam is difficult. You will need to work very hard to pass this exam.
- You develop the risk of contracting infections because of frequent exposure to pathogens. Not all of them are harmful but some can lead to serious diseases so you need to take careful precautions.
- You might be required to work on some weekends and holidays. This is not applicable everywhere and depends on your workplace. Many people see this as a disadvantage so keep this in mind before you decide to try for this profession.
Should I Be An Endoscopy Practitioner?
If you are really interested in being an endoscopy practitioner, do thorough research about the profession including its advantages and disadvantages.
In case you are still in school, look at the various institutions or colleges which are reputed for their endoscopy or nursing programs. Maintaining a good GPA will improve your chances of getting into a good school.
Work on developing good management and organizational skills. Try to get as much practical experience as possible because employers value this the most.
Conclusion
The journey to become an endoscopy practitioner is a long one but it is definitely worth it!
Try contacting or reaching out to medical professionals who know about the endoscopy field and get some practical advice and tips from them.