Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a multidisciplinary department, encompassing the needs of both the inpatient and outpatient population. Endoscopy services include diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal and pulmonary procedures. The Anesthesia Department provides anesthesia services for the majority of the procedures. The endoscopy department averages approximately 14,000 procedures each year.
There is a minimum eight-week (one to one) orientation period with a preceptor and ongoing training and education that follows. Work hours vary with 8 and 10 hour shifts each day, including some part-time and unit-based registry. The department is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with staff being on-call after hours and weekends for emergencies.
Our nurses continually strive to provide the highest level of care to our patients while maintaining their dignity and privacy. We recognize that each person comes to us with differences and our goal is to meet their individual needs.
Radiology
UT Medical Center offers a unique opportunity for nurses in the Radiology setting. The nurses in the Radiology Department at UT Medical Center are divided into two groups: Radiology Nurse Specialist and Interventional Radiology Nurse Specialist.
The Radiology Nurse Specialists are responsible for providing care to patients in multiple areas throughout the hospital including: MRI, Nuclear Medicine, CT, Ultrasound, X-ray and Fluoroscopy. They provide IV/PO sedation as needed for procedures, nursing care during cardiac stress testing and CT cardiac studies, and nursing care of the patient undergoing prostate biopsies. They provide IV insertions, Foley catheter placements, nursing care of the patient with contrast reactions. They also assist with cutting-edge nuclear/cancer treatments and research projects.
Interventional radiology nurses are responsible for the care of patients in the Interventional Radiology (IR) suites and the Neuro Interventional Radiology (NIR) suites. This involves total patient care often with sedation for those undergoing procedures. IR/NIR procedures include: all types of biopsies, drain placements, arteriograms, thoracentesis, paracentesis, gastric tube placements, port/line placements, chemo embolizations, ablations, thrombectomies, aneurysm coilings, and many other procedures. They also are on call 24/7 to provide care after hours for emergency trauma cases and emergency neuro stroke patients.
Nurses in the Radiology Pre/Post Unit (RPPU) are part of the Radiology Nurse / IR staff and are responsible for preparing and recovering both inpatients and outpatients before and after their procedure. They answer questions and educate the patient and family post procedure. These nurses provide compassionate care to those anxious regarding their upcoming procedure and to those afraid of the diagnosis their test will bring.
Nurses must have critical care and/or ED experience and be ACLS certified. UT Medical Center radiology nurses are part of a close-knit team consisting of MDs, residents, radiology technologists and other support staff.
Each day offers new and exciting challenges for professional and personal growth.
