Clinical Endoscopist (Lower GI)

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work as an autonomous Lower Gastrointestinal Clinical Endoscopist, delivering high-quality diagnostic and surveillance endoscopy within the Trusts Endoscopy Service. They will be responsible for the safe assessment, consent, performance and reporting of lower GI endoscopic procedures, ensuring compliance with JAG standards, Trust policies and national guidelines.

The role requires advanced clinical expertise, sound independent decision-making, and the ability to manage complex clinical scenarios. The post holder will contribute to service development, audit, education, leadership, and quality improvement, supporting the delivery of a safe, efficient and patient-focused endoscopy pathway.

Clinical Practice and Patient Care

• Independently assess, consent and perform lower GI endoscopic procedures (e.g., colonoscopy and/or flexible sigmoidoscopy) in line with JAG, BSG and Trust standards.

• Deliver safe, effective and patient-centred care across the endoscopy pathway, from referral triage to post-procedure follow-up.

• Conduct comprehensive pre-procedure clinical assessment, including evaluation of indications, co-morbidities, anticoagulation/antiplatelet management, bowel preparation, and suitability for sedation.

• Interpret endoscopic findings accurately and formulate appropriate management plans, including biopsies, polypectomy within scope of practice, surveillance planning and onward referral.

• Provide clear, timely and high-quality procedure reporting, ensuring accurate clinical documentation, coding and communication with referrers and GPs.

• Recognise and manage procedure-related complications and medical emergencies, escalating appropriately in line with local protocols.

• Ensure effective post-procedure care, including discharge planning, patient advice, safety netting and communication of results.

Autonomous Decision-Making and Advanced Practice

• Practice as an independent clinician within agreed scope, demonstrating accountability for clinical decisions and outcomes.

• Manage complex cases, balancing risk, patient safety, procedural appropriateness and service capacity.

• Escalate complex or high-risk cases appropriately and contribute to MDT discussions where required.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based practice, national guidelines and emerging developments in endoscopy.

Leadership, Service Development and Quality Improvement

• Act as a clinical role model within the Endoscopy Unit, promoting high standards of professional practice and patient-centred care.

• Contribute to service planning, pathway development and innovation, supporting improvements in access, efficiency, quality and patient experience.

• Participate in and lead clinical audit, service evaluation and quality improvement projects, supporting JAG accreditation and performance targets (e.g., KPIs, adenoma detection rates, caecal intubation rates).

• Support effective waiting list management, service recovery initiatives and delivery of activity targets.

• Contribute to policy development, guideline implementation and governance processes.

Education, Training and Supervision

• Support the training, supervision and mentorship of junior doctors, trainee endoscopists, nurses and allied health professionals where appropriate.

• Contribute to teaching sessions, competency assessments and skills development within the endoscopy workforce.

• Maintain personal CPD, appraisal, revalidation and JAG accreditation requirements.

• Participate in professional development activities and support a culture of lifelong learning.

Governance, Risk and Safety

• Adhere to all Trust and national policies relating to infection prevention and control, decontamination, health and safety, safeguarding, consent and information governance.

• Participate in incident reporting, complaints management, duty of candour processes and learning reviews.

• Contribute to clinical governance meetings, morbidity and mortality discussions and risk management initiatives.

• Support maintenance of JAG accreditation and compliance with regulatory standards.

Communication and Multidisciplinary Working

• Communicate effectively with patients, carers and families, including delivering complex or sensitive information with empathy and clarity.

• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, including gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, nursing teams and administrative staff.

• Ensure clear and timely communication of clinical findings, management plans and follow-up arrangements.

Professional Conduct and Accountability

• Maintain professional registration, scope of practice and indemnity in line with regulatory requirements.

• Uphold the values, behaviours and professional standards expected within the NHS.

• Take responsibility for personal workload, prioritisation and time management within a busy clinical environment.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered health care professional
• Degree level education in related subject or studying towards this
• oJAG Accredited Upper GI and/or Lower GI Endoscopist - demonstrable JAG/NED KPI's

Desirable

• Teaching or health promotion qualification
• Achieved or working towards a qualification in Advanced Clinical Practice (Masters Level)
• Independent Prescribing
• Health and Physical Assessment

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable evidence of working in a Clinical Endoscopist role
• Evidence of managing a caseload or care group in a clinical setting with multidisciplinary working
• Evidence of having been responsible for day to day supervision or co-ordination of staff in a clinical setting with multidisciplinary working
• Evidence of participation in quality assurance, audit and research
• Evidence of providing written and verbal communications to consultants and GPs as an integral part of caseload responsibilities

Desirable

• Bowel Cancer Screening accredited
• Experience in Capsule Endoscopy

Techncal Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Patient examination and history taking
• I.T skills (standard key board user) Accessing and entering electronic data in clinical systems
• Ability to organize and prioritize own workload
• Ability to communicate sensitive information and address barriers to understanding
• Highly professional role model
• Flexible and adaptable to working alone or within different groups
• Experienced in managing organisational change

Desirable

• Competency in Clinical Skills such as ECG, Cannulation and Venepuncture
• Patient teaching/adult education
• Intermediate Life Support training

Knowledge

Essential

• Evidence of ongoing education with respect to the specialty area
• Knowledge of clinical governance, risk management, valid consent and withdrawal of consent
• Knowledge of equality and diversity

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential

• Adaptive to unpredictable workloads
• Ability to travel within the geographical areas as required by the service/requirements of the post
• Ability to work under pressure and with frequent interruptions
• Ability to stand for long periods and use repetitive hand actions whilst participating in training lists

Desirable

• Aware of national agenda and changes to improve cancer services

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Highly motivated
• Flexible approach to the needs of the service
• Ability to demonstrate compassion
• Willingness to take on challenges and comfortable with constructive criticism

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).