Endoscopy Technician Specialists
Overview
Endoscopy Technician Specialists help doctors and nurses look inside a patient’s body using flexible cameras called endoscopes. They set up the procedure room, prepare and test equipment like scopes, light sources, and video monitors, and place devices such as blood pressure cuffs and pulse oximeters to track the patient’s vital signs. They carefully clean, disinfect, and sometimes repair endoscopic instruments, manage supply inventory, and stay up to date on new safety standards and techniques so each procedure is accurate, safe, and sterile.
Did you know?
Most employers in the US require completion of an accredited endoscopy technician program and certification through organizations like CRCST or CBSPD.
At a Glance
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Installation
Key Responsibilities
- Collect specimens from patients, using standard medical procedures.
- Attend in-service training to validate or refresh basic professional skills.
- Position or transport patients in accordance with instructions from medical personnel.
- Maintain inventories of endoscopic equipment and supplies.
- Place devices, such as blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeter sensors, nasal cannulas, surgical cautery pads, and cardiac monitoring electrodes, on patients to monitor vital signs.
- Read current literature, talk with colleagues, or participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in endoscopy.
- Clean, disinfect, or calibrate scopes or other endoscopic instruments according to manufacturer recommendations and facility standards.
- Perform safety checks to verify proper equipment functioning.
- Maintain or repair endoscopic equipment.
- Prepare suites or rooms according to endoscopic procedure requirements.
- Conduct in-service training sessions to disseminate information regarding equipment or instruments.
- Assist physicians or registered nurses in the conduct of endoscopic procedures.
Career Considerations
Certification Requirements
Most employers in the US require completion of an accredited endoscopy technician program and certification through organizations like CRCST or CBSPD.
Physical and Emotional Demands
The role involves long periods of standing, exposure to bodily fluids, and working with patients who may be anxious or uncomfortable during procedures.
Growing Job Market
Employment opportunities are expanding due to an aging American population requiring more diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures.