Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Endoscopy Physician

🎯 Role Definition

The Endoscopy Physician is a board-certified or board-eligible Gastroenterologist specializing in the performance of endoscopic procedures to diagnose and treat conditions of the digestive system. This pivotal role involves a blend of exceptional technical procedural skills, sharp clinical decision-making, and compassionate patient management. You will serve as a key consultant for gastrointestinal health, working collaboratively within our medical center to deliver comprehensive, high-quality care, from initial diagnosis through treatment and follow-up. Success in this position requires a profound commitment to quality, patient safety, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced, high-acuity clinical environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Gastroenterology Fellowship Program
Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship
General Gastroenterologist role in another practice or hospital

Advancement To:

Medical Director of Endoscopy Unit
Chief of Gastroenterology Division
Clinical Professor or Academic Leadership

Lateral Moves:

GI Hospitalist
Private Practice Partner

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform a high volume of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures, including but not limited to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Execute advanced therapeutic endoscopic procedures such as Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) with fine-needle aspiration (FNA), and enteral stent placement.
Conduct comprehensive pre-procedure patient evaluations, meticulously reviewing medical histories, assessing procedural risks, and ensuring thorough informed consent is obtained.
Develop, implement, and manage individualized patient care and treatment plans based on diagnostic findings from endoscopic procedures and other clinical data.
Provide expert consultative services for both inpatients and outpatients with a wide spectrum of acute and chronic gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases.
Manage the clinical care of patients before, during, and after procedures, including the administration of moderate sedation and the management of any adverse events.
Interpret complex findings from endoscopic procedures, pathology reports, and imaging studies to formulate accurate diagnoses and effective management strategies.
Communicate procedural findings, diagnoses, and follow-up plans to patients and their families with clarity, empathy, and cultural sensitivity.
Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment, including surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, pathologists, and primary care physicians, to ensure integrated and holistic patient care.
Maintain meticulous, accurate, and timely documentation of all clinical encounters, procedures, and communications within the electronic medical record (EMR) system.
Participate actively in on-call rotations, providing emergent GI consultation and performing urgent endoscopic procedures for conditions such as GI bleeding, foreign body removal, and acute biliary obstruction.
Adhere to and champion all institutional policies, evidence-based guidelines, and national standards for quality, safety, and infection control within the endoscopy suite.
Engage in departmental and hospital-wide quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, including peer review, case conferences, and root cause analyses.
Supervise, mentor, and provide clinical instruction to gastroenterology fellows, internal medicine residents, and medical students to foster the next generation of physicians.
Perform specialized therapeutic interventions such as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and management of varices.
Stay abreast of the latest advancements, cutting-edge techniques, and best practices in gastroenterology and therapeutic endoscopy through ongoing continuing medical education (CME).
Manage patient follow-up care, ensuring appropriate scheduling for surveillance procedures, clinic visits, and coordination with other specialists.
Evaluate and manage patients with various forms of liver disease, providing comprehensive care including screening for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Ensure the proper functioning and handling of sophisticated endoscopic equipment, troubleshooting minor issues and reporting malfunctions to biomedical engineering.
Contribute to the growth of the gastroenterology service line by demonstrating clinical excellence and fostering positive relationships with referring physicians.

Secondary Functions

Participate in peer review processes and departmental quality assurance meetings to uphold and improve clinical standards.
Contribute to the education and formal mentorship of fellows, residents, and medical students rotating through the gastroenterology service.
Engage in community outreach and health education programs focused on GI health topics, such as colorectal cancer awareness and screening.
Assist in the development and implementation of new clinical protocols, care pathways, and service lines within the GI department.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Board Certified or Board Eligible in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
Possession of an active, unrestricted State Medical License and DEA registration.
Proven proficiency in a broad range of standard endoscopic procedures (EGD, Colonoscopy).
Demonstrated competency in advanced endoscopic procedures (ERCP and/or EUS) is highly desirable.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications.
Expertise in the diagnosis and management of complex gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and hepatobiliary disorders.
High proficiency with Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner) for documentation and order entry.
Strong understanding of sedation protocols and patient monitoring during endoscopic procedures.

Soft Skills

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and convey complex information to patients, families, and colleagues.
Superior critical thinking and complex problem-solving abilities for navigating difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Strong collaborative and teamwork-oriented mindset for functioning effectively in a multidisciplinary healthcare setting.
High degree of professionalism, integrity, and adherence to the highest ethical standards of medical practice.
Ability to remain composed, decisive, and effective in high-pressure, emergent clinical situations.
A deep commitment to lifelong learning and continuous professional development to maintain expertise in a rapidly evolving field.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from an accredited institution.
Completion of an accredited Internal Medicine residency.
Completion of an accredited Gastroenterology fellowship.

Preferred Education:

Completion of an additional one-year Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship (focusing on ERCP and EUS).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Gastroenterology
Internal Medicine

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-10+ years post-fellowship clinical experience.

Preferred: New fellowship graduates with exceptional training and a strong desire to learn are encouraged to apply; however, candidates with 2+ years of post-fellowship experience, particularly with a track record in advanced therapeutic endoscopy, are highly preferred.