How to become An Endoscopy Technician

The human body is a marvel and a mystery that medical science seeks to explore from the outside and inside using ever-evolving techniques and instruments. An Endoscopic Technician is a valuable member of healthcare teams, assisting physicians and nurses in performing endoscopies using an instrument called an endoscope to view internal organs.

• Gastrointestinal Technician 
• GI Technician
• Endoscopic Technician
• Flexible Endoscopy Reprocessors
• Endoscopy Speciality Technician

What do Endoscopy Technicians do?

An Endoscopy Technician would typically need to:

• Be present in the operating room and assist physicians in providing patient care before, after and while performing gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy procedures
• Assist the staff in setting up and preparing the operating room procedures; promptly and precisely follow directions given by the physician or anaesthetist 
• Follow prescribed guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting endoscope and other scopes in between patients
• Sterilise all other GI equipment & instruments meticulously before and after every procedure; conduct safety checks to ensure their proper functioning; adjust them to the patient’s needs
• Prepare patients for surgery and promptly respond to their queries; transport them to and from the endoscopy room
• Connect patients to the ECG monitor and pulse oximeter; monitor their vital signs
• Handle the endoscope and colonoscope; use diverse small hand tools, such as screwdrivers, electric screwdrivers, pliers, callipers and tweezers
• Engage in product assembly, disassembly, and making repairs
• Support physicians in obtaining bodily specimens and ensure a sterile field before and after the process
• Help the doctors in performing biopsies and polyp removal; promptly respond to the physician’s needs
• Assist physicians in other procedures, including colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, tracheostomy tube replacements, etc.
• Conduct CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or other life-saving interventions for critically ill patients
• Tutor other Endoscopic Technicians regarding basic endoscopy procedures
• Keep records of doctors’ observations
• Expand knowledge and portfolio of skills by attending seminars and joining training courses to receive certification in CPR and crisis patient intervention

Endoscopy Technicians work with a team of doctors and nurses in gastroenterology in private, state or local hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. They typically work in a busy setting in the sterile environment of an operation theatre, helping perform several endoscopies in a month.

The work schedule for Endoscopy Technicians may include shifts, particularly early morning, afternoon and sometimes late-night shifts.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Endoscopy Technicians can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting hospitals directly, using job search platforms, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Endoscopy Technicians are generally employed by: 

• Outpatient Care Centres
• Physicians’ Offices 
• Hospital Management
• Independent Clinics

Professional associations and organisations, such as the World Endoscopy Doctors Association (WEDA), is crucial for Endoscopy Technicians interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• The need to deal with instruments with immense care, given the high installation cost of endoscopy units
• Working in shifts, particularly during the early morning hours
• Interacting with patients coming from varying backgrounds and completely different medical backgrounds
• The stress of handling small tools
• Constant and meticulous maintenance and troubleshooting of the endoscope to keep it error-free
• Repeatedly preparing and setting up the endoscopy procedure room since one procedure lasts for an average of 30 minutes

Any academic program that a potential Endoscopic Technician takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship. 

You may build initial hands-on experience stripping and soldering wires onto circuit boards and have basic knowledge of troubleshooting endoscopes. Internship experience in hospitals is helpful to learn about maintaining and preparing instrumentation and supplies for endoscopic procedures and acquire expertise in the repair of medical devices.

Expand your knowledge and gain expertise by attending various seminars on endoscopy. It is valuable to gain experience carrying out CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for critically ill patients. Experience in using small hand tools, such as screwdrivers and tweezers, to assemble, dismantle and repair medical equipment is handy for aspiring Endoscopic Technicians.

Work on your emotional quotient to maintain composure during difficult situations such as surgeries. Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working as Endoscopic Technicians to prove your commitment to prospective employers.

While formal college education is not mandatory, some aspiring Endoscopic Technicians may acquire a bachelor’s degree or a two-year associate degree in endoscopic or surgical technology. Some candidates may enrol in various one-year certificate programs on completing their high school diploma.

Candidates who enter this field after completing their high school diploma must complete on-the-job training. 

Certification demonstrates an Endoscopic Technician’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. You may acquire certification as a surgical technologist or as an emergency medical technician.

You may acquire certification in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and other emergency life-saving interventions. Certification from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, and increase your chances of advancement. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires the passage of an examination and the fulfilment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.

Endoscopy Technicians may advance to higher-paid levels by specialising in assisting a specific type of endoscopy and gaining years of experience in it. Various types of endoscopy include laparoscopy, cystoscopy, esophagoscopy, and gastroscopy. You may also climb up the career ladder by working with multispeciality hospitals.

Candidates with the necessary and updated skills, experience, and education have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Endoscopy Technician build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

Continuously upgrade yourself by researching various advancements in your field. Interacting with peer groups may also accelerate professional development. Working with expert doctors and good hospitals also helps you expand your knowledge and skills.

Types of Endoscopy

Endoscopy is the procedure carried out by doctors to view various internal organs and cavities. Physicians use it to diagnose diseases in body parts such as the stomach, colon, oesophagus, ears, nose, throat, urinary tract, joints and abdomen. An endoscope is an instrument used to perform an endoscopy. In most cases, it is a thin tube with a powerful light and a tiny camera at its end. Its length and flexibility are determined depending on the part of the body for which it is being used. 

Some endoscopies are colonoscopy, anoscopy, bronchoscopy, arthroscopy, cystoscopy, and colposcopy, each with a different purpose, entry point and route for the endoscope. 

Latest Techniques in Endoscopy Technology

Like many technologies, endoscopy constantly evolves, combining high-definition imaging techniques with the most intricate surgical procedures.

A recent endoscopy technique is capsule endoscopy, in which the patient swallows a pill containing a tiny camera. As the pill passes easily through your digestive tract, it creates thousands of images.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combines x-rays with upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy to diagnose and even treat bile and pancreatic duct issues.

Chromoendoscopy uses a special stain on the intestinal lining to detect abnormalities.

Endoscopic ultrasound combines sonography with endoscopy to better view organs and other bodily structures and conduct a fine-needle aspiration diagnostic procedure.

Disposable endoscopes, which do not require any cleaning after use, cater to the increasing demand for low-cost endoscopes.

Whether looking after patients, following the physician’s directions during an endoscopy or sterilising and maintaining instruments, Endoscopy Technicians form an integral part of medical teams that provide gastrointestinal healthcare. While it is an emerging field, Endoscopic Technicians may find it relatively less competitive than other specialisations.

Keep up with market trends as endoscopic technology and tools are constantly evolving. There may be a constant stream of patients, so you must have organised prioritisation to ensure a smooth and timely workflow. Work on your emotional quotient to stay calm and composed at not-so-favourable sights in the procedure room.