PROFILE
The Endoscopy Unit provides total gastrointesintal care. Ninety-percent of the patients are outpatients and the remaining ten percent are inpatients or transfers from another facility. There are approximately 20,000 cases performed in the unit annually.

UNIT FOCUS
There are a number of different procedures performed on the unit including infusions, manometry, liver biopsies, ERCP, and endoscopic ultrasound. In addition, new procedures such as the Stretta and Capsule Endoscopy are now being performed on the unit. The Endoscopy Unit offers several conferences each year. The interactive conferences use actual cases to teach the attendees about different procedures. Nurses and physicians present at these

TEAM MEMBERS
Patient care assistants support the RN staff. The support staff consists of sterile processing technicians, room turnover technicians, and patient care service associates. To inquire about positions available on this unit, please contact Jackie Lynch at jglynch@partners.org.

SCHEDULING PRACTICES
Staff schedules are driven by patient needs. The staffing and scheduling committee manages the monthly schedule and vacation requests. The staff through negotiation settles schedule or vacation conflicts. Staff work their desired schedule with the following options being most popular: 3 twelve hour shifts, 2 eight hour and 2 twelve hours shifts, and 4 ten hour shifts.

STAFF ORIENTATION
All staff initially attends a one-day hospital orientation and a one-week department of nursing orientation. The nursing orientation is followed by a ten-week orientation on the Endoscopy Unit. Registered nurses learn to administer conscious sedation and to care for patients undergoing routine gastrointestinal procedures such as flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and infusions. Staff nurses have the option of joining a specialty team to learn advanced procedures such as Endoscopic Ultrasound and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography after they have been on the unit for one year. An additional three-week orientation will be provided for staff that chooses to join specialty teams.

EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Staff education and development is supported by The Norman Knight Nursing Center for Clinical & Professional Development. Staff are encouraged to purse outside education opportunities. Staff has attended conferences in South Carolina, Phoenix, and New York.