Job Purpose
The Nurse Endoscopist is an autonomous practitioner responsible for independently performing diagnostic endoscopic procedures within their scope of practice while delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centred care.
The post holder will provide expert clinical assessment, undertake endoscopic procedures, formulate management plans, communicate findings to patients and referrers, and contribute to the leadership and development of the Community Endoscopy Unit. They will work collaboratively with consultant gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, GPs, and the multidisciplinary team to ensure an efficient, high-quality endoscopy service.
The Nurse Endoscopist will maintain professional accountability in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code and work in line with Joint Advisory Group (JAG) standards, Care Quality Commission (CQC) requirements, and local clinical governance frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Practice
The post holder will:
· Independently undertake diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (OGD) within agreed competency.
· Independently undertake flexible sigmoidoscopy and/or colonoscopy where appropriately accredited.
· Perform comprehensive pre-procedure clinical assessment.
· Obtain valid informed consent.
· Assess patient suitability for sedation and procedures.
· Safely administer and monitor conscious sedation where competent.
· Recognise and manage complications promptly.
· Interpret endoscopic findings.
· Take biopsies in accordance with local protocols.
· Perform simple therapeutic procedures within competence (for example, polypectomy where accredited).
· Provide patients with immediate verbal and written results.
· Arrange appropriate follow-up investigations or referrals.
· Escalate complex findings appropriately to medical colleagues.
Patient Care
The post holder will:
· Deliver compassionate, patient-centred care.
· Ensure dignity, privacy, and respect are maintained.
· Support anxious patients before and during procedures.
· Provide health promotion and lifestyle advice where appropriate.
· Ensure patients understand procedure outcomes and next steps.
· Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
Quality and Governance
· Ensure compliance with JAG accreditation standards.
· Participate in clinical audit.
· Maintain high-quality documentation.
· Report and investigate clinical incidents.
· Participate in mortality and morbidity reviews where required.
· Monitor key quality indicators including:
o Caecal intubation rates
o Adenoma detection rates (where applicable)
o Patient comfort scores
o Complication rates
o Withdrawal times
· Participate in peer review and competency assessment.
· Support CQC inspections and quality assurance programmes
Education and Training
· Mentor nurses and trainee endoscopists.
· Support competency assessment.
· Deliver education sessions to staff.
· Maintain personal clinical competence through continuing professional development.
· Participate in appraisal and clinical supervision.
· Contribute to workforce development.
Service Development
· Participate in service improvement projects.
· Support innovation within community endoscopy.
· Contribute to pathway redesign.
· Assist with implementation of new national guidance.
· Promote efficient patient pathways.
· Support achievement of waiting time targets.
Essential Qualifications
· Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration.
· Successful completion of a recognised Nurse Endoscopy training programme.
· JAG-accredited competence in upper GI endoscopy and/or lower GI endoscopy appropriate to the role.
· Independent Non-Medical Prescriber qualification or willingness to undertake training (if required by service).
Desirable Experience
· Independent colonoscopy practice.
· Therapeutic endoscopy skills.
· Experience working within a Community Diagnostic Centre.
· Perform trans nasal Endoscopy
· Research or publication experience.
· Leadership or management experience.
· Experience supporting JAG accreditation visits.
· Immediate Life Support (ILS) certification or willingness to obtain.
Essential Experience
· Significant post-registration clinical experience.
· Substantial experience working within an endoscopy service.
· Independent practice in diagnostic endoscopy.
· Experience obtaining informed consent.
· Experience in conscious sedation.
· Experience interpreting endoscopic findings.
· Experience in clinical audit.
· Experience supervising junior staff.
· Experience contributing to service improvement.
Application question(s):
- Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration.
- Successful completion of a recognised Nurse Endoscopy training programme.
- JAG-accredited competence in upper GI endoscopy and/or lower GI endoscopy appropriate to the role.
- Significant post-registration clinical experience.
- Substantial experience working within an endoscopy service.
- Independent practice in diagnostic endoscopy.
- Experience obtaining informed consent.
- Experience in conscious sedation.
- Experience interpreting endoscopic findings.
- Experience in clinical audit.
- Experience supervising junior staff.
- Experience contributing to service improvement.
Work Location: In person
