Endoscopy Technician

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 (e.g. vital signs), turning on monitors, connecting basic lines (non-invasive) under RN direction.
  
  

  

• Review procedure schedule and confirm the anticipated needs of each case (e.g., extra biopsy sets, special devices).
  
  

Intra-Procedure Support

• Assist the physician and RN during GI endoscopy procedures (e.g. 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 (e.g. 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 (e.g. 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 (e.g. 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 (e.g. sample culture checks, leak test records).
• Assist with documentation of quality indicators (e.g., 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 (e.g. equipment alarms, code blue) by assisting clinical staff as trained.
• Ensure compliance with safety guidelines (e.g. 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.
  
  

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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).
  
  

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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 (e.g. ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound)
• Training in radiation safety (if fluoroscopy is used in GI)
• Experience with quality improvement, instrumentation QA, reprocessing auditing
  
  

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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, etc.).
• 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.
  
  

Skills: endoscopy,gi,infection