Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Upper GI Nurse

🎯 Role Definition

The Upper GI Nurse (Endoscopy) provides expert, patient-centered nursing care to adults undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic upper gastrointestinal procedures (e.g., OGD/gastroscopy, ERCP). This role includes preparation and monitoring for conscious sedation, technical assistance within the endoscopy suite, recovery and discharge planning, quality and infection control practices, documentation in electronic health records, and close collaboration with gastroenterologists, anesthetists, and multi-disciplinary teams to deliver safe, efficient care. The Upper GI Nurse also supports training, audit, and service improvement initiatives that enhance clinical outcomes and patient experience.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Registered Nurse (Adult/Medical-Surgical) with acute care experience
Recovery Room / PACU Nurse with peri-procedural competency
Emergency Department or Gastroenterology ward nurse transitioning into endoscopy

Advancement To:

Senior Endoscopy Nurse / Endoscopy Team Lead
Clinical Nurse Specialist — Gastroenterology / Upper GI
Nurse Endoscopy Educator / Training Lead
Endoscopy Unit Manager or Service Improvement Lead

Lateral Moves:

Ambulatory Care Nurse (Day Surgery)
Pre-Admission / Pre-Assessment Nurse
Colorectal or Lower GI Specialist Nurse

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Triage and assess patients referred for upper gastrointestinal procedures, taking comprehensive histories (including anticoagulant status, comorbidities, allergies) and performing focused clinical assessments to identify procedural risk and optimize patient safety.
Prepare patients for OGD/gastroscopy and therapeutic upper GI procedures by explaining the procedure, obtaining informed consent where delegated, verifying fasting status, and ensuring appropriate pre-procedure investigations and documentation are complete.
Administer and monitor conscious sedation and/or moderate sedation according to local protocols — including IV access insertion, titration of sedative agents within nurse-led pathways when authorized, continuous physiological monitoring (pulse oximetry, BP, ECG), and recognition of sedation-related complications.
Provide intra-procedural support to gastroenterologists and endoscopy teams: anticipate equipment needs, pass instruments, assist with biopsies, specimen handling, and therapeutic interventions (e.g., haemostasis, dilation) while maintaining aseptic technique.
Conduct detailed post-procedure recovery assessments, monitor for complications (perforation, bleeding, cardiopulmonary events), manage pain and nausea, and use standardized discharge criteria to ensure safe transition to home or inpatient wards.
Deliver clear, individualized patient education and post-procedure instructions (diet, activity, medication adjustments, warning signs) and provide written information to support recovery and follow-up care.
Document all aspects of peri-procedural care accurately and promptly in electronic health records and endoscopy reporting systems, including sedation records, procedure findings, interventions, specimens taken, and discharge details to support governance and continuity of care.
Participate in and contribute to endoscopy quality assurance processes: audit of KPIs (e.g., diagnostic yield, complication rates, consent rates), patient satisfaction surveys, and implementation of corrective actions for continuous improvement.
Ensure strict infection prevention and decontamination practices for endoscopy instrumentation and the endoscopy suite, coordinating with reprocessing teams and following local and national guidelines for high-level disinfection.
Perform and maintain competency in technical clinical skills required for endoscopy nursing: IV cannulation, venepuncture, ECG interpretation for monitoring, airway support basics, and immediate management of procedure-related emergencies.
Act as a first responder in the endoscopy unit for emergencies — initiating advanced life support measures, escalating to the resuscitation team, and documenting event details and outcomes.
Coordinate scheduling, patient flow, and bed management to optimize throughput for high-volume upper GI sessions while maintaining patient safety and privacy.
Liaise with multidisciplinary teams — surgeons, gastroenterologists, anesthetists, pathology, radiology, and primary care — to facilitate timely diagnostics, follow-up plans, and integration of endoscopy results into overall patient care pathways.
Support informed decision-making by accurately collecting and preparing specimens for histopathology and microbiology, labeling and sending specimens according to protocol, and tracking results to ensure timely clinician review.
Mentor and precept new staff and student nurses within the endoscopy unit, delivering structured teaching on upper GI procedures, sedation safety, infection control, and documentation standards.
Maintain and operate endoscopy-specific equipment safely (endoscopes, monitors, suction units, insufflators), report faults, and liaise with biomedical engineering for timely repairs to minimize procedural disruption.
Participate actively in clinic and nurse-led services such as follow-up clinics, post-procedure telephone triage, and pre-assessment clinics for complex cases to improve continuity of care and reduce unplanned admissions.
Apply evidence-based practice to inform nursing interventions — interpreting guidelines for anticoagulation management, bowel preparation alternatives (where relevant), and prophylactic measures to reduce procedural complications.
Support audit and research activities within the endoscopy service, collecting accurate data for national registries, participating in trials when applicable, and disseminating learning to the team.
Promote patient-centered care and cultural competence by tailoring communication and care plans to diverse populations, ensuring accessibility and dignity throughout the endoscopy pathway.
Maintain professional registration and keep up-to-date with mandatory training (e.g., life support, infection control, safeguarding), endoscopy competency frameworks, and local policy changes to ensure regulatory compliance.

Secondary Functions

Participate in service development projects to improve patient flow, reduce waiting times, and implement best-practice pathways for upper GI disorders.
Support the procurement, stock management, and safe storage of consumables and endoscopy-specific medications, escalating shortages to the line manager.
Provide telephone-based clinical triage and follow-up, identifying complications, scheduling urgent reviews, and coordinating re-presentations to care when necessary.
Assist with patient pre-assessment clinics (face-to-face and virtual) to streamline risk stratification and pre-procedural optimization, including medication reconciliation.
Contribute to the development of patient information leaflets, educational materials, and digital resources specific to upper GI procedures, ensuring readability and clinical accuracy.
Lead or participate in root cause analyses, incident reporting, and safety huddles following adverse events to share learning and improve safety culture.
Deliver in-service training sessions and competency assessments for the endoscopy team on updated sedation protocols, equipment use, and infection control best practices.
Support outreach and screening initiatives (where applicable), including community education, screening program delivery, and liaison with primary care to promote early detection of upper GI pathology.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced endoscopy nursing skills: peri-procedural care for OGD/gastroscopy and therapeutic upper GI procedures (including support for ERCP where relevant).
Conscious sedation and moderate sedation administration and monitoring according to protocol, with competency in titration, monitoring, and recovery.
Proficiency in IV cannulation, venepuncture, and establishing/monitoring IV infusions.
Cardiorespiratory monitoring and basic ECG interpretation for peri-procedural observation.
Competence in aseptic technique, endoscope handling basics, and knowledge of high-level disinfection processes for endoscopy equipment.
Strong electronic health record and endoscopy reporting system documentation skills, including accurate recording of procedure details, sedation, and outcomes.
Experience in specimen handling and coordination with pathology services, ensuring chain-of-custody and appropriate labeling.
Ability to operate and troubleshoot endoscopy suite equipment (monitors, insufflator, suction) and liaise with biomedical teams for maintenance.
Knowledge of anticoagulation and antiplatelet management for procedural patients, applying guideline-based peri-procedural plans.
Clinical risk assessment and escalation skills, including immediate management of procedural complications and participation in resuscitation.
Familiarity with quality improvement methodologies, audit processes, and collecting KPI data for endoscopy services.
Competence delivering patient education and written discharge instructions tailored to literacy and language needs.
Experience with day-case and ambulatory care pathways, including safe discharge and escalation protocols.

Soft Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills to explain complex procedures compassionately and clearly to patients and families.
Strong clinical judgment and decision-making under pressure, with the ability to prioritize tasks in a busy procedural environment.
Effective teamwork and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating reliability and professional accountability.
Empathy and patient-focused attitude, maintaining dignity, privacy, and cultural sensitivity for diverse populations.
Time management and organizational skills to coordinate schedules, patient flow, and documentation efficiently.
Teaching and mentoring ability to support skill development for junior staff and students.
Problem-solving mindset with initiative to identify service improvements and implement practical solutions.
Resilience and adaptability in a high-throughput clinical setting with variable caseloads and acuity.
Attention to detail for accurate medication administration, specimen labeling, and record keeping.
Conflict resolution and interpersonal diplomacy to manage challenging interactions with patients, families, or colleagues.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Registered Nurse (RN) / Licensed Practical Nurse as per local regulatory body; current professional registration required.
Basic Life Support (BLS) / Immediate Life Support (ILS) certification.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BN/BSN) or equivalent.
Post-registration qualification or certification in Gastroenterology/Endoscopy nursing or perioperative care.
Advanced life support certification (e.g., ACLS) and formal training in sedation (as per local policy).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Adult Nursing
Gastroenterology or Endoscopy Nursing
Critical Care / Perioperative Nursing
Ambulatory Care Nursing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years post-registration clinical experience, including a minimum of 12 months in acute care or procedural settings.

Preferred:

2+ years experience specifically in endoscopy, gastroenterology, or day surgery units with documented competency in upper GI procedures.
Demonstrated experience in sedation monitoring, emergency response, and endoscopy quality assurance activities.
Experience with electronic endoscopy reporting systems and participation in audit or service improvement projects.