EMG Technologist

Electrodiagnostic Technician

Under the general supervision of physician and according to established policies and procedures, performs a variety of electrodiagnostic tests to record electrical impulses from nerves and muscles through use of needle or surface electrodes and assists the physician in diagnostic processes. Coordinates the operation of the electrodiagnostics laboratory; schedules tests; receives, prepares and interviews patients; calibrates, operates and maintains testing equipment; performs diagnostic studies; tabulates resultant data and prepares summary report for physician; maintains inventory of laboratory and assists in instruction of medical students, house staff and fellows in the Electrodiagnostic Laboratory.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate.

Receives and reviews requests for various electrodiagnostic tests, including routine electromyography, nerve conduction studies, blink reflexes, single fiber electromyography, quantitative electromyography, intraoperative electromyography and evoked potentials. Plans laboratory schedule and priorities for tests according to work load, length of test procedure, urgency and physician's schedule. Prepares laboratory for procedures, obtains and sets up necessary supplies such as linens, electrodes, gauzes, needles, and drugs. Receives patient and explains procedure to allay fear and anxiety, to elicit cooperation and to ensure relaxation throughout procedure. Obtains demographic information to complete record. Interviews patient to obtain pertinent medical history and formulates a study plan under direct physician supervision. Abstracts additional data from medical records as necessary. According to established procedures, sets up and calibrates test equipment. Prepares patient for specific tests as ordered by physician. Prepares skin with abrasive solution to ensure good conductivity and follow aseptic procedures, applies surface electrodes to patient at predetermined positions. Checks impedance of electrodes. Performs diagnostic studies by operating equipment to record electrical impulse. Makes adjustments to equipment as appropriate to the specific study and to ensure accuracy of test results. Recognizes and eliminates electrical interference from fluorescent lights, stretcher, etc. Obtains and continuously scans recordings, observes and notes clinical phenomena occurring during patient 's test. Reads, tabulates, calculates and records resultant test data for reviewed interpretation by a physician. Measures skin temperature for each test site. Accompanies physician on portable studies and during intraoperative studies. Maintains records of all patients and billing. Assists in teaching of medical students and fellows in the area of EMG and nerve conduction studies. Maintains equipment in clean operating condition according to established procedures to ensure integrity of results. Detects and recognizes instrument malfunction and makes minor repairs and adjustments as necessary, notifying physician of need for major repairs. Prepares and forwards needles for proper sterilization, cleans electrodes using disinfectant solution. Sharpens and electrolyzes needles as necessary, using binocular microscopes and other equipment in laboratory. May investigate and recommend purchase of new equipment and supplies. Maintains test area in a clean and orderly fashion. Orders and maintains supplies as appropriate and according to established inventory guidelines. Participates in related clinical research studies. Maintains and enhances technical expertise by attending and participating in related educational conferences and meetings.

Bachelor 's Degree in Biological Sciences or the equivalent. Ability to monitor graphic recordings, to detect minor differences or abnormalities, to observe and note clinical phenomena and to use binocular microscope. Technical ability to set up testing equipment, to identify problems and makes adjustments to clear interference and make minor repairs to ensure integrity of test results. Knowledge of diseases, muscle, nerve anatomy and physiology to effectively conduct studies. Effective interpersonal and communication skills to explain procedures to allay fear and anxiety and elicit cooperation for studies, to discuss studies with physician and to instruct in conducting diagnostic studies. Analytical skills to determine cause of interference and to provide written summaries of studies. Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care patients with consideration of aging processes, human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of care process. Six to twelve months experience to become familiar with studies, including completion of courses in elctromyography.

Normal patient care environment with some exposure to communicable diseases, but hazards are minimized by adherence to established safety precautions. Some lifting, pushing and pulling required to move equipment and position patients. No supervisory responsibility.