Seizure (EEG) Diagnostic Technician

Seizure Technologist

Under minimal supervision of the Chief Seizure Technologist performs long-term video-EEG monitoring on patients with scalp and intracranially placed electrodes on an epilepsy unit and performs electrocorticography in the operating room, cortical stimulation studies, and special studies as Sodium Amytal (Wada) testing.

Hours for this position may vary between Day, Evening and/or Weekend.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities Includes the Following:

• Understands and adheres to the WPH Performance Standards, Policies and Behaviors.
• Performs duties of the EEG technologist and evoked potentials technologist as assigned.
• Performs long-term video-EEG monitoring on an epilepsy unit. Interacts with the patient during seizures, interviews the patients and performs tests of cognitive, memory and speech function during and following all seizures.
• Provides emergency care for the patient during seizures.
• Performs EEG monitoring on patients with scalp and intracranially placed electrodes (depth electrodes and/or grids)
• Assists and records during direct cortical stimulation studies.
• Performs EEG recording during special studies as sodium Amytal (Wada) testing, positron emission tomography, single photon computed tomography, and sodium pentothal studies.
• Performs electrocorticography from the exposed cerebral cortex in the operating room.
• Applies troubleshooting methods, repairs, and/or replaces instrument parts as needed.
• Provides in service training sessions for the electrodiagnostic staff in proper long-term monitoring techniques.
• Assists in establishing and maintaining department long-term epilepsy monitoring procedures and protocols.
• Assists or performs clinical epilepsy research procedures.
• Prepares presentations and contributes at conferences relating to electroneurodiagnostic testing, with special emphasis on long-term epilepsy monitoring, for continuing education.
• Properly cleans electrodes & prepares them for sterilization techniques
• Calibrates, evaluates & adjusts EEG instrument to proper technical standards in order to obtain top quality recording
• Performs routine activation procedure such as HV & photic stimulation
• Reviews all EEG tracings with supervision. Receives and implements all suggestions for improving the quality of all future EEG recordings
• Compiles and forwards billing information to the supervisor.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent required
• Minimum of 2 years' experience, EEG/long-term monitoring on an epilepsy unit. Prefer two years of college in related degree program. Graduate of an electroneurodiagnostic technology program accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation or equivalent formal training, is preferred.
• American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET) is preferred
• Certification in BLS

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates positive interpersonal skills with patients, patients families and/or significant others, nurses physicians, and other members of hospital staff
• Verbalizes and applies knowledge of current department and hospital policies and procedures
• Attends staff meetings or equivalent as requested /required to update knowledge related to current department/hospital issues.
• Explains the test procedure to patient and is able to obtain an accurate & concise patient history such as seizure type date of last seizure & other neurological symptomology
• Calibrates, evaluates & adjusts EEG instrument to proper technical standards in order to obtain top quality recording, Records EEG activity using standard montages
• Recognizes, monitors and eliminates electrode artifact in order to obtain an adequate test
• Reviews all EEG tracings with supervision. Receives and implements all suggestions for improving the quality of all future EEG recordings
• Commitment to Co-Workers – Maintains a supportive attitude with peers to create a positive team environment
• Measures & applies EEG electrode using 10-20 international system
• Demonstrates knowledge of and participates in Performance Improvement processes and projects

Physical/Mental Demands/Requirements & Work Environment

• May be exposed to chemicals necessary to perform required tasks. Any hazardous chemicals the employee may be exposed to are listed in the hospital's SDS (Safety Data Sheet) data base and may be accessed through the hospital's Intranet site (Employee Tools/SDS Access). A copy of the SDS data base can also be found at the hospital switchboard, saved on a disc.

Primary Population Served

All populations

The responsibilities and tasks outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of White Plains Hospital