Clinical Neurophysiologist DBS - Chicago, IL

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Neurophysiologist

Turn your lab skills into life-changing clinical skills in the operating room.

Are you ready to make a real difference in patients' lives by applying your neuroscience training in a clinical setting?

Position Details:

• Location: Chicago
• Travel: Overnight travel 1-3 times per week

At SpecialtyCare, we're the nation's leading provider of intraoperative services, including Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). As the largest DBS neurophysiology provider in the country—and the only one with a dedicated training and service program—we equip our team with hands-on training at top hospitals nationwide.

What you'll do: In this role, you'll transform lab-based neurophysiology skills into direct clinical care. As a DBS Neurophysiologist, you will:

• Use electrode recording and stimulation techniques to map deep brain structures in awake patients.
• Assist neurosurgeons in pinpointing the optimal location for DBS lead implantation.
• Work in a variety of hospital settings—locally and out of state—with travel required 1–3 times per week.
• Collaborate with experienced colleagues and surgical teams to deliver safer, more effective outcomes and see patients get better on the table.
• You'll join the most experienced team of DBS neurophysiologists in the industry and help advance patient care for those with movement disorders.

Position Summary: Responsible for operating electrophysiological equipment used in functional mapping for deep brain stimulator implants. Operates electrode recording and stimulation equipment, and microdrive controllers, generates invoices and administrative reports, ensures electrophysiological and microdrive systems are operating properly. Instructs OR staff in assembly of stereotactic and drive systems. Interprets results of microelectrode recordings and stimulation mapping for surgeon, provides guidance for the appropriate placement of permanent DBS lead. Orders supplies and equipment. Provides coverage for DBS cases at home and outside institutions as necessary.

Nature and Scope: This person is technically proficient in use of electrophysiological equipment in general, has specific experience with DBS mapping hardware, and is able to troubleshoot problems with hardware and software during case. This person is able to effectively communicate brain mapping information to surgeon in real time, and is expected to provide interpretation of neurophysiological results. Individual is responsible for following SpecialtyCare and hospital policies for OR credentialing, equipment maintenance, invoicing. Person is expected to participate in and make significant contribution to research or administrative service.

Essential Duties:

• Patient Setup: Explain mapping procedure so it is understood by the patient, including purpose of microelectrode recording and/or stimulation. Perform motor exam of the patient to establish baseline prior to anesthesia, and stimulation testing.
• MER & Stimulation equipment: Operate and adjust equipment, optimizing recording and stimulation parameters to acquire salient mapping data. Implement appropriate troubleshooting methods to assure accurate maps. Keep equipment clean and in proper working order, reporting malfunctions to supervisor and/or manufacturer.
• Brain mapping/Monitoring & Interpretation: Interact with surgical team and surgeons during procedure to provide data necessary for accurate placement of permanent DBS electrode. Identify and eliminate physiological and non-physiological artifacts. Understand the medical and pharmacological/anesthetic conditions that influence the process of MER and stimulation mapping. Recognize electrophysiological signature and stimulation induced side effects of DBS target structures, and of surrounding anatomy. Recognize modality and somatotopic organization of DBS targets, and be able to advise surgical team on proper method for somatotopic mapping. Understand the effects of stimulation on symptoms of different diseases treated with DBS, and results of changing stimulus parameters.
• Documentation: Provide summary sheets of DBS mapping procedure, including borders of target structure, location and depth of permanent lead placement, and when relevant, somatotopic organization, stimulation induced efficacy and side effects. Accurately prepare in a timely manner, all invoices and work/technical sheet.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: A PhD in biological science, neuroscience, audiology, or similar field. Preference for candidates with a neurophysiology background.
• Knowledge/Experience/Abilities: Two years experience in general electrophysiological methods. Twenty cases as a DBS technologist or trainee. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathologic processes and aseptic techniques. Detailed knowledge of electrophysiological equipment used in performing DBS mapping. Ability to interpret microelectrode signals, and interpret results of somatotopic, efficacy and side effect mapping and synthesize mapping results into coherent clinical picture for surgeon with special reference to anatomy. Interpersonal and communication skills necessary to interact with medical staff, patients, visitors, and other hospital employees. Ability to effectively communicate technical content to surgeons and attending neurophysiologists in a logical, concise, understandable fashion. Ability to work with other researchers, equipment representatives, physicians, educators, and trainers. Ability to develop and conduct research, analyze data, etc. Ability to stand, turn and stoop among several types of equipment in an operating room suite. Ability to set up equipment with precision and speed in preparation for mapping procedure. Ability to sit for extended periods of time, while concentrating on monitoring computer screen images during a surgical procedure.

Why SpecialtyCare? We're passionate, driven, and dedicated to making a difference in healthcare—every single day. Join us and be part of something meaningful.

Salary Estimate: $80,000 - $90,000 / year (Several factors, such as specific skill set, education level, certifications and years of experience, are considered to determine actual compensation.)

SpecialtyCare is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.