Competency: 2

Details

Assist in a range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in a variety of clinical settings, recognising when results deviate from normal values/findings and appreciating the implication of results on patient treatment and care, for example in:

 Cardiac, Vascular, Respiratory and Sleep Science

• Medical assessment units – point of care testing, e.g. blood and urine glucose
• High dependency settings – blood gas analysis, preparation of monitoring andventilator system.
• Community settings – spirometry, ankle brachial pressure indices measurements (leg ulcer clinics).

 Gastrointestinal Physiology and Urodynamic Science

• Endoscopy unit – assist with telemetric pH capsule placement; endoscopic placement of manometry
• Operating theatre – assist with 2D/3D ultrasound pre and post-op assessment, e.g. sphincterotomy, ’search and find‘
• Diagnostic imaging – assist in the placement of small bowel manometry
• Ward – undertake hydrogen breath tests on non-ambulant patients, e.g. small bowel overgrowth.
• Assist with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)
• Continence/flows clinic – fluid management advice, bladder training.
• Observe pressure/flow studies in patients with special needs, e.g. stoma, mobility issues, neuropathic.

Neurosensory Sciences

• Neurological
• Neurological monitoring and
• Life sign
• Cognitive function and
• Screening.

 See relevant rotational modules for integration of clinical experience, competence and knowledge requirements.

Considerations

• Relevant protocols and procedures for investigations.
• How to communicate with patients in a way that respects their dignity, rights, privacy and confidentiality.
• The importance of checking patient identity, fully explaining the procedure to the patient, including any potential contraindications, and obtaining informed consent prior to undertaking investigatory procedures.
• Requirements for the investigation environment to ensure privacy, dignity and comfort of the patient in order to facilitate the investigation procedure and optimise results.
• How to check, calibrate and prepare the appropriate equipment and devices.
• How to identify potential special needs of patients and the relevant action required to address any issues.
• Infection control and decontamination procedures.
• Normal and abnormal ranges of relevant results and their implication for the treatment and care of the patient.
• Relevant patient pathways and referrals arising from these.
• The relationship between the results of a range of investigations across gastrointestinal and LUT disorders and their implication for holistic patient treatment and management.

Relevant learning outcomes