Neurodiagnostic Technologist

Neurodiagnostic Technologist

The neurodiagnostic technologist is responsible for performing diagnostic procedures including but not limited to EEG, evoked potential and nerve conduction studies. Interact daily with chronic patients who have epilepsy and their families.

Qualifications

Minimum education: high school diploma or GED (required). Minimum work experience: 1 year in neurodiagnostics or related experience (required). Required skills/knowledge: strong skills in patient and family interactions. Ability to learn and apply at least one modality within 6 months: EEG, evoked potential, neurological intraoperative monitoring, nerve conduction studies. Basic math and computer literacy and MS Outlook and Excel. Demonstrate knowledge of peripheral nervous system, normal nerve and muscle anatomy and function and nerve conduction responses in normal and pathological circumstances. Demonstrate supportive and friendly behaviors. Demonstrate cultural competence in delivering patient care. Required licenses and certifications: cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) upon hire (required).

Functional Accountabilities

Electrode Selection and Application: Apply suitable electrodes and check their performance/impedances. Select predetermined electrode combinations as well as special combinations made necessary by the case under study.

Performs Evoked Response Studies: Verify the integrity of the Evoked Potential instrument. Obtain a standard evoked response record with clearly resolved waveforms, with at least two replications demonstrating consistency of latency and amplitude measurements. Use appropriate recording and stimulus parameters. Use additional electrode derivations and other techniques as needed to enhance or clarify abnormality. Identify and eliminate or reduce artifacts contaminating the waveforms. Provide proper grounding of the patients and equipment.

Performs Nerve Conduction Studies: Calibrate and make adjustments to the electrodiagnostic instrument/machine. Stimulate the nerve at the appropriate sites, accurately record the waveforms responses from the nerves and muscles. Calculate nerve conduction velocities and amplitudes, prepare the data for interpretation by the physician. Recognize normal and abnormal patterns and artifacts.

Performs EEG Testing: Obtain standard recordings, recognize and mark artifacts and take appropriate steps to eliminate them. Set up and record video EEG; review video EEG and make summary file; describe all abnormal clinical manifestations observed during the test. Use activating procedures such as hyperventilation, photic-stimulation and sleep. Obtain the patient's cooperation for the best performance of these procedures. Select appropriate instrument settings and montages; utilize techniques to bring out or enhance clinical symptoms; accommodate for disabilities or special needs.

Clinical History and Current Status Review: Obtain patient history, evaluations, reasons for referral; determine the patient's mental age, mental state and comprehension level; note the patient's overall physical condition; list current medications/sedation and time of last dosage. Establish rapport with the patient and the patient's family, interact on a level appropriate to the patient's age and mental capacity and recognize different levels of education and adjust to meet the families' needs; address families' anxiety level. Monitor and report concerns or complaints.

Organizational Accountabilities

Maintenance of Monitoring and Testing Equipment: Keeps equipment in a clean operating condition, detects instrument malfunction and makes minor maintenance adjustments or reports need for major repairs. Operates routine/digital equipment as required for EEG, evoked potential and nerve conduction testing.

Organizational Commitment/Identification: Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization. Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural ethnic differences. Demonstrate personal and professional integrity. Maintain confidentiality at all times.

Customer Service: Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met.

Teamwork/Communication: Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior. Partner with all team members to achieve goals. Receptive to others' ideas and opinions.

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving: Contribute to a positive work environment. Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change. Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes. Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment.

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility: Use resources efficiently. Search for less costly ways of doing things.

Safety: Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance. Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation. Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation. Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication. Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers. Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance.