Endoscopy GI Technician

Job Title Endoscopy / GI Technician (ASC) Department Gastroenterology / Endoscopy Suite Reports To Manager / Supervisor, Endoscopy / GI Services / OR Manager / ASC Director Job Summary Under the direction of the RN, GI physician, or ASC leadership, the Endoscopy / GI Technician provides technical and procedural support in a GI endoscopy suite. The technician sets up, maintains, and decontaminates endoscopic equipment, assists physicians during procedures, helps with patient preparation and recovery, and ensures proper room turnover. This position ensures compliance with infection control, sterilization, equipment maintenance, and safety protocols. This role is non-certified (., the candidate is not required to hold a formal endoscopy certification), but requires competence in sterile technique, handling scopes/equipment, and the ability to assist clinical staff and physicians. Key Responsibilities & Duties Below is a detailed breakdown of duties. Some tasks may vary depending on the ASC’s case mix, procedures, and staffing model. Pre-Procedure / Setup Prepare the procedure rooms (endoscopy suite) before the first case of the day: • Check and calibrate endoscopic equipment (video processors, light sources, insufflators, suction, monitors, cables). • Assemble and lay out procedural instrument trays, sterile disposables, and accessories. • Verify availability of scopes, biopsy forceps, snares, injection needles, polypectomy tools, etc. • Ensure suction, air/water, insufflation systems, pumps, and monitors are functional. • Confirm that all supplies, sterilization indicators, and backup equipment are in place. • Stock the room with sterile gowns, gloves, drapes, cleaning solutions, and ancillary supplies. • Assist in patient arrival tasks: escorting patients, hooking up monitoring equipment (. vital signs), turning on monitors, connecting basic lines (non-invasive) under RN direction. • Review procedure schedule and confirm the anticipated needs of each case (., extra biopsy sets, special devices). Intra-Procedure Support Assist the physician and RN during GI endoscopy procedures (. upper endoscopy / EGD, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, ERCP support if applicable) by: • Anticipating and passing instruments, accessories, or tools (snare, forceps, injection needles, clips) in a sterile manner. • Controlling equipment (. irrigating channels, suction, water, light, air/CO₂) as requested. • Managing the video system, image capture, documentation, and assisting with scope handling/repositioning if needed. • Maintaining a sterile field and ensuring aseptic technique is upheld throughout the procedure. • Observing patient status (non-invasive monitoring) and notifying RN or physician of any concerns (. alarms, monitor changes). • Handling and transferring biopsy or specimen containers; labeling, preserving, and preparing specimens for pathology or microbiology. Post-Procedure / Turnover Clean, disinfect, and reprocess endoscopic instruments and accessories in compliance with facility protocols, manufacturer instructions, and regulatory standards (. high-level disinfection). Perform leak tests, calibration checks, and preventive maintenance on scopes and equipment as per schedule. Document discrepancies, malfunctions, or scope damage and escalate to maintenance or vendor support. Reassemble instruments, test for functionality, and restock trays and supplies. Turn over procedural rooms efficiently: remove used trays, disinfect surfaces, restock, and ready the room for the next case. Dispose of biowaste, sharps, and waste according to infection control and OSHA rules. Maintain logs (reprocessing logs, maintenance logs, cleaning logs, tracking of scopes). Conduct daily/weekly checks of equipment, supplies, and inventories. Inventory, Maintenance & Quality Assurance Monitor inventory levels of scopes, accessories, disposables, and cleaning supplies. Place orders or request replenishment as needed. Track and rotate stock to avoid expiration of sterile supplies. Coordinate with biomedical engineering, service vendors, or manufacturer representatives for repairs, calibrations, and equipment upgrades. Participate in quality assurance, infection control audits, and instrumentation quality monitoring (. sample culture checks, leak test records). Assist with documentation of quality indicators (., reprocessing compliance, scope utilization metrics, downtime). Assist with performance improvement projects, training of new technicians, and policy/procedure updates as directed. Patient Interaction & Safety Assist in patient positioning, comfort, draping, and safe transfer (to/from gurney, bed, or procedural table) under supervision. Explain basic procedural steps or answer non-clinical questions (within scope), under RN supervision. Monitor the procedural environment for safety, cleanliness, and sterility. Respond to emergencies (. equipment alarms, code blue) by assisting clinical staff as trained. Ensure compliance with safety guidelines (. electrical safety, radiation safety if applicable, fire safety, sharps safety). Documentation & Reporting Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the patient chart or electronic health record (EHR) concerning instruments used, specimen collection, procedural times, and scope handling logs. Report equipment malfunctions, discrepancies, or adverse events to supervisors. Provide input on procedure outcomes, instrument performance, and improvement areas. Other Duties Participate in continuing education to stay current with endoscopy technology, reprocessing standards, and safety guidelines. Assist with departmental projects, special procedural setups, or expansion efforts as needed. Fill in or cross-train in related roles such as sterile processing, supply management, or GI outpatient clinic tasks. Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities High school diploma or equivalent; additional training or certificate in medical technology, sterile processing, surgical tech, or allied health is a plus. Prior experience (0–2 years) in endoscopy, surgical tech, sterile processing, or gastrointestinal procedures is preferred but not mandatory. Basic knowledge of anatomy/physiology of GI tract (upper GI, colon, esophagus, small bowel). Familiarity with endoscopic equipment: video processors, light sources, insufflators, suction systems, monitors, scopes, accessories. Understanding of sterilization, high-level disinfection, infection control, and aseptic techniques. Ability to follow standard operating procedures, manufacturer instructions, and infection control policies precisely. Good manual dexterity, attention to detail, and ability to work in a fast-paced procedural environment. Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and anticipate needs of the physician and clinical team. Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with RNs, physicians, and other staff. Basic computer skills, familiarity with documentation systems, and inventory tracking. Physical ability to stand for long periods, move/lift moderately heavy instrument carts or equipment (as per facility policy), and perform bending/squatting. Ability to maintain composure under procedural stress or emergencies. Willingness to work variable hours/shifts, including early mornings or occasional weekends (depending on ASC schedule). Preferred / Optional Qualifications Formal certification (such as Certified Endoscopy Technician, CFER [Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor], or similar) Prior experience in an ASC or GI procedural setting Basic life support (BLS) certification Knowledge of advanced GI procedures (. ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound) Training in radiation safety (if fluoroscopy is used in GI) Experience with quality improvement, instrumentation QA, reprocessing auditing Working Conditions & Environment Clean room / procedure suite environment, with requirements for sterile technique. Occasional exposure to blood, bodily fluids, sharps, and chemical disinfectants (glutaraldehyde, peracetic acid, . Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, masks, face shields, etc. Regular contact with patients, clinicians, and support staff. Possible requirement to respond to equipment issues, emergency cases, or overtime demands. Adequate lighting, ventilation, and safety controls in the ASC environment. Performance Metrics / Success Criteria Room turnover times (., time between cases) Instrument reprocessing compliance (leak tests, high-level disinfection logs, scope function) Procedural support feedback (physician / RN satisfaction) Equipment uptime / scope downtime Inventory accuracy and stock management Adherence to infection control and safety standards Error rates (. specimen mislabeling, instrument damage) Participation in training, QA/improvement initiatives