Since its launch in 2019, has developed into a structured education and competency programme supporting staff across the endoscopy workforce. The programme covers foundation practice, advanced and complex endoscopy, leadership, management and the assessment of clinical practice.
JETS Workforce was introduced in response to variations in how endoscopy staff were trained and assessed across organisations. It provides a consistent, quality-assured framework through which staff can develop their knowledge, demonstrate competence in practice and maintain a record of their progress. The programme is now available across the UK and the Republic of Ireland and supports registered nurses, nursing associates, healthcare support workers, decontamination staff, educators and service leaders.
JETS Workforce is organised across three levels:
- Level 1 – ENDO 1: Foundation practice and decontamination
- Level 2 – ENDO 2: Advanced endoscopy
- Level 3 – ENDO 3: Management, leadership and the assessment of clinical practice
Completion requirements vary according to an individual’s role, responsibilities and area of practice.
Each level brings together , a structured training and workplace . The eLearning provides the underpinning theoretical knowledge, while the courses allow participants to explore this learning through discussion, clinical scenarios, shared experience and reflection. The workplace competencies support staff to apply their learning safely within their own clinical environment.
Competence can be demonstrated through direct observation of procedural skills, witness statements, reflective accounts, case-based discussions and evidence of relevant education or clinical experience. Staff must show that they can undertake the required skills safely and consistently, understand the rationale behind their practice, recognise the limits of their competence and escalate concerns appropriately.
ENDO1 provides the foundation of the programme. It supports both new and experienced staff who assist with endoscopic procedures and care for patients before, during and after endoscopy. The course complements the Level 1 eLearning and competencies and covers professional practice, communication, consent, pre-assessment, patient-centred care, infection prevention, decontamination and environmental sustainability.
The delivery model has become increasingly accessible. ENDO1 can be completed through nationally delivered virtual sessions or approved face-to-face courses within local organisations. This allows services to train larger numbers of staff while maintaining consistent learning outcomes and appropriate quality assurance.
The introduction of Level 2 and ENDO2 extended the programme into advanced and more complex endoscopy. It is intended for staff who already have established foundation knowledge and competence and who care for patients undergoing moderate-to-complex procedures. The framework includes advanced upper and lower gastrointestinal procedures, enteral feeding, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasound and complex therapeutic interventions.
Due to the breadth and complexity of the subject matter, ENDO2 is delivered through endoscopy academies and regional training centres. This flexible approach has encouraged innovation in programme delivery. Some academies offer individual modules focused on specific areas of advanced endoscopy, while others provide the content as an integrated programme. This local delivery enables clinical scenarios, case discussions and practical content to reflect the procedures undertaken within individual services and the development needs of their workforce. At the same time, delivery remains aligned with the national JETS Workforce framework, with a requirement for course content to be aligned with appropriate learning outcomes and faculty trained to a high standard.
Level 3 recognises that the delivery of safe, high-quality endoscopy extends beyond technical competence. ENDO3 supports staff with current or emerging responsibilities in leadership, management, education and the assessment of clinical practice. The course includes supporting the workforce, managing difficult situations, strengthening leadership skills and promoting a positive culture within the endoscopy unit. Required competencies cover unit and team management, clinical leadership, teaching, the use of audit and data, and the assessment of clinical practice. They provide a structured framework through which experienced practitioners can demonstrate and strengthen the knowledge and skills required within these areas of responsibility.
ENDO3 is delivered face to face through both the national programme and local endoscopy academies and JAG registered training centres. Its interactive format encourages discussion and reflection and provides valuable opportunities for participants to connect with colleagues in similar roles, share examples of practice and learn from one another’s experience.
The programme has become increasingly aligned with the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy accreditation standards which were updated in 2025. UK services applying for accreditation or reaccreditation must demonstrate that a specified proportion of staff involved in the endoscopy pathway have completed the relevant Level 1 eLearning and ENDO1 training. There is also a recommendation to encourage services support staff in completing the full Level 1 competency framework. More broadly, the standards recognise the importance of education and professional development for the endoscopy nursing workforce. They also promote the value of dedicated endoscopy educators, who play an important role in coordinating learning, supporting competency assessment and embedding education and training within everyday practice. This alignment provides organisations with a clearer way to demonstrate that workforce education is appropriately planned, delivered and assessed. It also reinforces the importance of providing protected time for learning, supervised practice, assessment and continuing professional development.
The development of faculty to support the framework, has created further opportunities for experienced staff to strengthen their teaching skills and share their knowledge with the wider endoscopy community. More than 120 faculty members now support the programme, and the programme's continued development would not have been possible without their expertise, time and commitment.
For nurses, JETS Workforce provides a clear and progressive framework for understanding the knowledge and competencies required within their role, identifying areas for further development and maintaining evidence that can support appraisal and career progression. It also gives mentors and assessors a consistent basis for supporting learners and making informed decisions about competence.
JETS Workforce continues to evolve in response to changes in endoscopy practice and workforce needs. Its ongoing value depends on services embedding the programme within induction, education planning and workforce development. When used in this way, it can support consistent standards, professional development and the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care.