Senior Neurodiagnostic/EEG Technician Nights

Company Description

Treating over 330,000 patients every year, the University of Maryland Medical Center is at the vital core of Maryland’s health care system and community. We’re known for our prestigious expertise in innovative research and education, along with the talented staff and advanced centers that make it all possible. The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, the world’s first center dedicated to trauma, treats more than 7,500 critically injured patients a year with an incredible 97 percent survival rate. We also have one of the nation’s largest kidney and pancreas transplant programs at The Joseph and Corinne Schwartz Division of Transplantation, home to Maryland’s first steroid-free protocol and pancreas/kidney transplant. From our National Cancer Institute-designated UM Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center to The University of Maryland’s Children’s Hospital, one of the largest pediatric centers in the state, we are dedicated to saving and transforming lives.

Job Description

General Summary

Under general supervision, performs routine and complex neurological tests to include EEG's (Electroencephalograms), visual, auditory, and somatosensory evoked potentials, and continuous video EEG monitoring studies in order to obtain data for use in diagnosis of neurological disorders.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified

1. Performs electroencephalograph tests (EEG) on patients in order to record patient brain waves and nervous system responses.

A. Attaches electrodes to precise locations on the patient's scalp and body in order to precisely record brain activity.

B. Explains procedure to patients to help eliminate fears/concerns and interviews patient to obtain required medical information to ensure safety during procedure.

C. Makes proper adjustments to EEG equipment including baseline adjustments and changes to the placement of electrodes on the patient in order to obtain the best recording or to record activity in specific areas of the brain as requested by a physician.

D. Observes patient responses to external stimuli Analyzes waveforms during testing by noting patient movements/seizures and responses to external stimuli. Marks recordings to indicate possible neurological disorders for review by a physician.

E. Notifies physician if patient has difficulties during the procedure. May ask the physician for sedatives to help a patient sleep during monitoring.

2. Performs evoked potential testing which is the response by the brain to an external stimulus in order to verify or evaluate nerve connections for the diagnosis of neurological disorders.

A. Initiates electrical stimuli (somatosensory evoked potentials) using evoked potential equipment to specific nerve endings on the patient's body so that exact nerve endings in the motor strip of the brain can be tested for their integrity.

B. Monitors responses to external stimuli during testing by noting patient movements and responses to external stimuli. Marks recordings to indicate possible neurological disorders for review by a physician

C. Make adjustments to evoked potential monitoring equipment to properly record brain activity.

D. Operates stimulating equipment safely to include click stimulator, pattern reversal stimulator, and somatosensory stimulator (electrical stimulation) for study of neurological abnormalities or deficits.

3. Sets up video-EEG monitoring equipment for epilepsy patients or patients with other neurological disorders. Prepares and operates computerized video monitoring equipment for prolonged period of time to record patient's brain activity through the use of scalp electrodes or grid implantation.

A. Reviews long-term video monitoring studies in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) and edits video EEG data with patient seizures or abnormal brain functioning for review by a Neurologist. Marks computer noting time of day and patient status (awake, standing, sitting, sleeping).

B. Operates EEG equipment during Wada Testing to assist the Neurologist in determining the patient's dominant hemisphere of the brain.

4. Performs continuous-video EEG monitoring studies in the critical care/intensive care unit settings.

A. Coordinates timing of hookup of EEG with staff and physicians in the critical care/intensive care unit setting.

B. Attaches electrodes to precise locations on the patient's scalp and body in order to precisely record brain activity.

C. Explains procedure to patients to help eliminate fears/concerns and interviews patient to obtain required medical information to ensure safety during procedure.

D. Makes proper adjustments to EEG equipment including baseline adjustments and changes to the placement of electrodes on the patient in order to obtain the best recording or to record activity in specific areas of the brain as requested by a physician.

E. Observes patient responses to external stimuli Analyzes waveforms during testing by noting patient movements/seizures and responses to external stimuli. Marks recordings with pertinent clinical observations for review by a physician.

F. Notifies physician if patient has difficulties during the procedure. May ask the physician for sedatives to help a patient sleep during monitoring.

G. Performs stimulation of the patient according to protocol on a daily basis at the bedside and will note the responses of the patient on the EEG record.

H. Sets up quantitative functions on bedside EEG for review at time of initiation of recording and will ensure that quantitative review is functionally normally on a daily basis 5. Performs in conjunction with a Neurologist, functional brain mapping which is done following the implanting of an electrode grid on a patient’s brain. Operates EEG equipment to assist the Neurologist during use of the biphasic stimulator by noting patient response so that each specific electrode can be identified with a specific motor function. Prepares legend or key, which denotes which function each electrode is associated with.

6. Performs intra-operative electrocorticography in conjunction with a neurologist. Monitors patient brain waves during surgical resection of the brain using EEG equipment. Communicates changes in brain activity to the physician as needed to aid in determining the precise areas of the brain that are causing the seizures, which can be removed.

7. Participates in intra-operative recordings and troubleshooting during placement of responsive neurostimulation devices (RNS system). Assists physician and surgeon as needed for RNS testing in operating room.

8. Cleans, adjusts, and performs routine maintenance and repair on electroencephalograph, evoked potential and video monitoring equipment to ensure proper functioning.

9. Provides technical guidance to lower level neurodiagnostic technicians by explaining complicated procedures or demonstrating the proper maintenance of equipment.

10. Assists physician and technologists in resolving problems; ensures that network security is maintained and that backup functions are operated on routine schedule.

11. Performs standard and advanced nerve conduction studies (NCS’s) and evoked potential studies (EP’s)in a highly skilled, patient appropriate manner, recognizes normal and abnormal results and takes reasonable steps to eliminate physiological and nonphysiological artifact.

12. Assists EMG physicians to perform Electromyography needle tests.

13. Supports for weekly epilepsy conference, assisting attending fellows and resident physicians.

14. Provides technical guidance to EEG, EMU and Neuromuscular lab in the use of vendor software products and loads workstation software in accordance with established UMMC standards.

15. Performs interoperate monitoring for surgery resection of the brain using EEG equipment.

16. Performs Brain Mapping and Wada testing for advanced study in epilepsy center.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• 1. AA degree in an approved neurodiagnostic technology program or equivalent applicable experience.
• 2. Minimum of two years of experience performing EEG's, NCS and evoked potentials. An additional year of experience performing epilepsy monitoring using computerized video monitoring equipment, functional brain mapping, and intra-operative monitoring during surgical resection is also required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Proficient knowledge of neurophysiology and neuroanatomy is required to record and analyze patient brain activity.

2. Demonstrated knowledge of operating highly specialized computer and video monitoring equipment, EEG, EMG and evoked potential equipment. Demonstrated knowledge of the maintenance and repair of computerized video monitoring equipment, Evoked Potential, EEG and EMG machines.

3. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.

4. Knowledge of electrical safety as it relates to stimulating and monitoring equipment is required for the safe operation and recording of patient brain activity.

5. Highly effective verbal communication skills are required to explain procedures to patients, and to work with Neurologists to record brain activity during epilepsy monitoring, Wada testing, brain mapping, and surgical resection.

Working Conditions

1. Weekend, shift work, on-call, holiday and overtime may be required.

2. Work is primarily performed in the neurology lab and the operating room.

3. There is potential for regular exposure to patients possessing infectious diseases in the work environment; requires observance of "Universal Precautions" by wearing gloves, goggles, and mask, as prescribed.

Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

Additional Information

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