Neurodiagnostic Technician

Experience the highest level of appreciation at UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center — named Top Workplace in the Baltimore area by The Baltimore Sun two years in a row (2019 & 2020); Top Workplace in the USA for 2021!  As part of the acclaimed University of Maryland Medical System, our facility is one of three ANCC Pathway to Excellence® designated hospitals in Maryland. UM BWMC features one of the state’s busiest emergency departments, as well as a team of experts who care for our community and one another.  The University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UMBWMC) provides the highest quality health care services to the communities we serve. Our medical center is home to leading-edge technology, nationally recognized quality, personalized service and outstanding people. We have 285 licensed beds and we’re home to 3,200 employees and over 800 physicians. Our expert physicians and experienced, compassionate staff are connected to medical practices in the local community as well as at University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore. For patients, this means access to high-quality care and research discoveries aimed at improving Maryland’s health.  Our physicians and nursing staff specialize in emergency, acute, medical-surgical and critical care. In addition, our medical center is home to many Centers of Excellence, offering expert outpatient health care.

Work Schedule: 8 - 4:30 pm, PRN, Day Shift

Under direct supervision, performs routine neurological tests to include EEGs (Electroencephalograms) and continuous video-EEG monitoring studies. May perform basic visual and auditory evoked potentials for use in diagnosis of neurological disorders.

Mission

All employees are responsible for extending the mission and values of Baltimore Washington Medical Center by dedicating oneself to providing the highest quality healthcare services to the communities we serve.       

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Director of Respiratory Care, Pulmonary. 

Working Conditions

Works inside a clean, dimly lit environment.  May be exposed to frequent interruptions and occasional crisis situations.  May be physically or verbally abused by patients.  Expected to work weekends and holidays as necessary for on-call.  Potential for regular exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous materials, requiring the observance of Standard (Universal) Precautions and Safe Handling Practices.  This position has been classified as medium exposure risk and requires the completion of an annual respirator mask fitting.

Physical Requirements

Standing, sitting, ascending/descending stairs and walking is required 0-8 hours per shift.  Involves heavy lifting, carrying, push on rollers up to 200 lbs. and pulling in excess of 100 lbs. 0-3 hours per shift in accordance with Safe Patient Lifting policy.  Manual dexterity for operating equipment which includes reaching for, fingering, grasping and handling equipment supplies 0-5 hours per shift.  Requires hearing/listening to and differentiating sounds 0-5 hours per shift.  Visual acuity is necessary to read labels, charts and documents and use various instruments 0-8 hours per shift.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Performing/ Recording EEG Tests                                                                                           

1. Attaches electrodes to precise locations on the patient’s scalp and body in order to precisely record brain activity.  
2. Explains procedure to patients to help eliminate fears/concerns and interviews patient to obtain required medical information to ensure safety during procedure.  
3. 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.  
4. 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.  
5. Notifies physician if patient has difficulties during the procedure.  May ask the physician for sedatives to help a patient sleep during monitoring.  

EEG monitoring Critical care/ Intensive care setting                                                       

1. Coordinates timing of hookup of EEG with staff and physicians in the critical care/intensive care unit setting.
2. Attaches electrodes to precise locations on the patient’s scalp and body in order to precisely record brain activity.  
3. Explains procedure to patients to help eliminate fears/concerns and interviews patient to obtain required medical information to ensure safety during procedure.  
4. 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.  
5. 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.  
6. Notifies physician if patient has difficulties during the procedure.  May ask the physician for sedatives to help a patient sleep during monitoring.  
7. 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.
8. Set 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

Additional Monitoring responsibilities                                                                       

1. May be asked to set 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.
2. May be asked to intermittently review long-term video monitoring studies and may be asked to edit patient seizures or abnormal brain functioning for review by a Neurologist.  Marks computer noting time of day and patient status (awake, standing, sitting, sleeping).
3. Under direct supervision performs evoked potential testing which is the response by the brain to an external stimulus in order to provide quantitative and objective measures of sensory functioning. 
4. Performs evoked potential testing in order to determine the integrity of specific nerve endings in the motor strip of the brain.
5. 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.
6. Adjusts evoked potential monitoring equipment to properly record brain activity as needed.
7. Operates stimulating equipment safely to include click stimulator, and pattern reversal stimulator for study of neurological abnormalities or deficits.
8. Cleans, adjusts, and performs routine maintenance and repair on EEG and evoked potential equipment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities                                                                                        

1. Basic understanding of neurophysiology and neuroanatomy is required to record and analyze patient brain activity.
2. Ability to apply the principles of EEG and evoked potential monitoring to record patient brain activity for the purpose of diagnosing neurological disorders.  Ability to acquire the principles of electrical safety as it relates to the safe operation of monitoring equipment.
3. Ability to operate, maintain and perform simple repairs on EEG and evoked potential monitoring equipment.
4. Highly effective verbal communication skills are required to explain procedures to patients, and work with neurologists to explain changes in brain activity during EEG and evoked potential monitoring.
5. 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

 Patient Safety                                                                      [ 10] x [  ] = [  ]                             

1. Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.
2. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
3. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
4. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.   

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) is required. 
• College courses in anatomy, physiology, and biology are preferred.
• One (1) year general healthcare experience providing patient care in a health care environment performing the duties of a Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant with experience in Neurology required. 
• One (1) year experience performing EEG’s, Evoked Potentials, or Polysomnography testing is preferred.
• Current BLS certification is required. Previous experience using a business office suite, such as Microsoft Office, is required.
• R.EEG T credential from the ABRET EEG Registry is preferred.

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