Qualifications of Our Staff
What are the qualifications of our Staff?
Registered Nurses
Each of our RN staff typically has two or more years experience in Surgery/Operating Room, Intensive Care or Emergency Department prior to joining our GIC team. Our nurses undergo an initial extensive competency-based training program specific to endoscopy and annual training thereafter. Patient care in the pre and post procedure areas is overseen by 1 RN for every two to three patients; in the procedure room there is one RN per patient.
Lead Endoscopy Technicians
Each center has an overseeing Lead Endoscopy Technician who is certified by both:
- The Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA) as GI Technical Specialists. This program consists of education modules covering the following topics: Anatomy & Physiology; Equipment; Sterilization/Infection Control; Patient Care; Risk Management; Roles & Responsibilities; Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
- The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). This certification covers Infection Control, Sterilization Techniques, Standard Equipment for Endoscopic Procedures, Chemicals, Rules and Regulations, Safety, Basic Medical Competencies and Performance Standards, Recordkeeping, Specimen Handling and Ethical Standards.
Endoscopy Technicians
All of our technicians undergo an initial extensive competency-based training program which includes modules on Anatomy & Physiology, Set-up and Use of Endoscopic Procedure Equipment, Infection Control, Specimen Handling and Patient Care. All of our endoscopy technicians have prior health care experience; most were previously EMT-certified.
Processing Endoscopy Technicians
Further training is required for a technician to move into equipment processing / sterilization. This is another extensive competency-based training program focusing on Advanced Infection Control, Processing Techniques, Equipment and Recordkeeping. Annual re-evaluations and testing are required.