Senior Nurse Endoscopist

An exciting new opportunity has arisen in the Gastroenterology Service in St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for an additional Senior Nurse Endoscopist. The successful applicant will join a large, dynamic & flexible gastroenterology team which includes 10 Consultant Gastroenterologists, a Nurse Consultant, 5 Nurse Endoscopists & 6 Clinical Endoscopists who scope as part of their Specialist Nurse/ANP/GI Physiologist roles.
The role will include managerial activities including delivering the requirements of the JAG Endoscopy Standards and GIRFT, supporting the UGI/LGI vetting and leading on service developments
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual with experience in the management of patients with gastrointestinal conditions.
This post will be subject to an Enhanced DBS (with barred list for vulnerable adult's disclosure)., · To provide individual episodes of care to a client group based on assessment of physical, social, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs.
· To demonstrate a high level of clinical decision-making and an ability to monitor and improve standards of care. To work within his/her own scope of professional practice.
· To work closely with the multi-professional team to develop the nurse endoscopist service and provide expert nursing practice without direct medical supervision but within agreed Trust protocols.
· To work unsupervised in the provision of clinical care to patients.
· To provide training and education to the multi-professional team, patients and their relatives.
+ To have a managerial and leadership role., + Work as an autonomous practitioner undertaking diagnostic & therapeutic investigations for patients requiring GI endoscopy procedures including diagnostic and therapeutic gastroscopy (Variceal banding, PEG insertion, APC, dilatation etc.) Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.
· Contribute to National Bowel Cancer Screening programme including screening colonoscopy once accredited.
· To be a Non-medical Prescriber.
· To ensure lists run efficiently and effectively.
· To act as an excellent role model and develop own clinical expertise keeping abreast of changing developments in endoscopy practice.
· To provide quality patient standards in accordance with those identified in the GRS and JAG.
· To ensure that families and carers are involved in the planning and provision of care where this is appropriate.
· To develop mechanisms to monitor user's perceptions of the service.
· To participate in the formulation and development of clinical governance action plans.
· To actively participate in the Endoscopy JAG GRS Meetings.
· To support Consultant Led Gastroenterology clinic activity.
· To ensure that nurse led clinics are structured, organised and run effectively.
· To provide appropriate guidance regarding wellness, lifestyle, disease risks and potential changes in health status, including health awareness, screening and prevention.
· To recognise and refer to appropriate primary care services for clients with acute/chronic conditions.
· To demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning skills in diagnostic decision-making.
· To document all relevant information regarding the patient according to Trust standards.
· Where agreed, prescribe & dispense medication to the patient using agreed protocols.
· Where appropriate, to select, perform and interpret screening and diagnostic laboratory tests, as agreed in protocols.
· To evaluate results of intervention using accepted outcome criteria, revise the plan of care, where appropriate, and consult/refer when needed.
· To arrange 'follow-up' appointments when appropriate to monitor and evaluate client health/illness.
· If the service feels appropriate to develop additional skills e.g. venesection, paracentesis, PillCam interpretation, to support the wider gastroenterology service.
· Support the vetting and validation of the referral & PTL process and communicate decisions and outcomes to referrers.
· Supporting triaging/vetting sessions for both Upper GI and Lower GI patients
· Critically reflects on own performance through peer/team/network and clinical supervision.
· To work within the NMC code of professional conduct and all Trust Guidelines.
· To keep up to date with professional issues in nursing practice, research and the National Health Service, British Society for Gastroenterology and GRS and JAG.
· Continue with own personal development through the pursuit of relevant professional and academic study.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
· To develop and market the role of Nurse Endoscopist to the public and other health care professionals.
· To actively participate in the decisions about expansion plans for the endoscopy service.
· To refer patients to other specialists/resources.
· To participate in legislative and policymaking activities which influence the advancement of nursing practice and endoscopy.
· Develop and review protocols for Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD), flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.
· Develop and review protocols for Patient Group Directives for administration of Drugs for patients requiring Gastroenterology procedures.
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES
· To be fully involved in national training programme for Endoscopy including being an endoscopy trainer.
· To be actively involved in the orientation and training of new medical and non-medical Endoscopists.
· To ensure all practice is governed by the GRS and JAG requirements for training.
· To comply with the Quality Standards outlined in the GRS.
· To identify poor practice and take steps to rectify the situation.
· To advise on the training needs analysis which reflects the future needs of the service in collaboration with the Endoscopy Unit Manager and Clinician Director for Gastroenterology and Directorate Manager for Endoscopy.
· To work with the Clinical Educator and Endoscopy Manager, Specialist Nurses, to ensure appropriate educational opportunities for personal, professional and service development.
· To work collaboratively with the senior staff to ensure that all staff have an appraisal and a personal development plan
· To take an active lead in teaching informally and formally.
· To participate in ensuring all the Direct Observation of Practice forms are completed.
· To play an active role in health education and educating patients about their lifestyles.
· To participate in research activities in conjunction with the Gastroenterology and Endoscopy team.
· To work alongside the Clinical Educator and Endoscopy Nursing team in the development of recognised endoscopy courses and in-house teaching programmes.
· To promote a seamless service of care through liaison with all relevant Health Care professionals and set up appropriate systems and education across the Trust and with external partners
LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
· To contribute to the effective management of resources within the Endoscopy Unit in order to provide a high-quality patient focused service.
· To ensure effective mechanisms for maintaining communication between wards, directorate and wider organisation, i.e. Specialist Nurses Meeting, Gastroenterology Governance Group.
· To provide care for individuals, families and communities within integrating healthcare services and using accepted guidelines and protocols.
· Where necessary, to plan, implement and evaluate healthcare collaboratively with others using approaches that recognise each one's experience and to meet the need of the client.
· To fully integrate within the Endoscopy Unit, thus ensuring a holistic approach to care of patients.
· To Work Collaboratively with the Endoscopy Manager, Nurse Endoscopists, Clinical Director for gastroenterology to develop a patient led endoscopy service.
· To actively participate in unit activities and encourage others to do so.
· Provide expert knowledge and clinical leadership.
· Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement and initiate change.
· Take a lead on the management of complaints and clinical incidents, including leading in SIRI meetings relevant to endoscopy.
· To provide line management of a group of staff following HR policies.
RESEARCH & AUDIT
· Identify need for, participate and undertake, research, clinical audit, benchmarking and equipment trials, in order to improve effectiveness of patient care.
· Actively lead clinical audit and service improvement projects.
· Disseminate research and audit findings through presentation to professional groups and publication.
· Responsible for the development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to own area of work.
· Promote patient and public involvement activities in the specialist area, leading to service improvement.
· Promote people's equality, diversity and rights
Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. You are part of an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.
Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact [email protected]
We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision-making process.
The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.
If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.
Flexible Working
We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:
· All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
· There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
· Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.
At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.
Working for Team MWL
Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
The Trust is a non-smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website
You must ensure that your application, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.
Additional Information
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE, which can be found here.
An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our services:
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
+ Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
+ Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
+ National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme