EEG/EMG Technician - Crystal Run Healthcare - Optum : Job Details

Opportunities with Optum in the Tri-State region (formerly CareMount Medical, ProHEALTH New York and Riverside Medical Group). Come make a difference in the lives of people who turn to us for care at one of our hundreds of locations across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Work with state-of-the-art technology and brilliant co-workers who share your passion for helping people feel their best. Join a dynamic health care organization and discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Position Summary:Primary responsibility of the EEG Technician is to perform Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings of patients to provide input on medical conditions.

This position travels to Newburgh, NY and Monroe, NY.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Call patients to verify appointment for EMG and EEG studies
• Schedule EMG and EEG patients when needed
• Reschedule patients as needed to maintain EMG and EEG schedule
• Attends and participates in departmental meetings
• Provide and collect patient satisfaction questionnaire for EMG and EEG patients
• The Technologist provides a safe recording environment by:
  • verifying identity of patient
  • cleaning electrodes after each procedure
  • following universal precautions for Infection Control
  • attending to patient needs appropriately
  • recognizing/responding to life-threatening situations
  • being certified to perform CPR
  • complying with lab protocols for emergency and disaster situations
  • complying with hazardous material handling procedures
  • maintaining instrument/equipment in good working order
  • taking appropriate precautions to ensure electrical safety
• The Technologist establishes rapport with the patient and patient's family by:
  • using personal communication skills to achieve patient relaxation/cooperation
  • explaining all test procedures, including activation procedures
  • explaining the electrode application method (paste, collodion, etc)
  • interacting on a level appropriate to patient's age and mental capacity
  • maintaining respect and patient confidentiality
• The Technologist evaluates the patient to:
  • determine the patient's mental age, mental state, and comprehension level
  • note the patient's overall physical condition
  • decide appropriate method of electrode application
  • ascertain the patient's capacity to cooperate with activation procedures
  • determine if hyperventilation is contraindicated
  • accommodate for disabilities or special needs
  • document unusual or inappropriate behavior suggestive of seizure/pseudo seizure
• The Technologist prepares a basic data sheet ( Tech sheet ) that includes:
  • patient information (name, age, ID number, doctor, etc.)
  • recording time, date, and Technologist's name or initials
  • noting pertinent patient history and familial medical history
  • listing current medications/sedation and time of last dosage
  • noting time, date, aura, and circumstances of last seizure or symptoms
  • specifying the patient's mental, behavioral, and consciousness states
• The Technologist's electrode application follows a method that includes:
  • measuring and marking the head following the 10/20 measurement system
  • prepping patient's scalp prior to electrode application
  • applying electrodes with paste or with collodion and electrolyte
  • verifying electrode impedances are balanced and below 5,000 Ohms
• The Technologist documents the working condition of a digital EEG instrument by:
  • calibrating system amplifiers
  • imputing a biological (bio-cal) signal to all channels
  • corrects or reports deviations as appropriate
• The Technologist obtains a standard EEG that includes:
  • at least 20 minutes of technically acceptable recording (120 pages)
  • eye opening and closing to check effects of stimuli on EEG
  • hyperventilation for a minimum of 3 minutes
  • photic stimulation at frequencies appropriate for history & reactivity
  • mental stimulatio0ssessment procedures
  • periodic checks of electrode impedance
  • natural drowsiness and sleep, if possible
  • annotations are done every 2 minutes
  • notes on observed behavior, clinical seizure manifestations, etc.
• The Technologist maintain and assess proper cleaning and equipment functioning
• • Equipment cleaned after every use
  • Cables are ready for usage, stocked in and a need manner
  • Ambulatory equipment cleaned after returned, no paste, dirt or visibly soiled
  • Maintain room cleaned and in an orderly fashion before patient arrives
  • Maintain clean and dust free headbox and computers in the room
• The Technologist differentiates artifacts from cerebral waveforms by:
  • monitoring ECG rhythms for abnormality
  • recognizing possible artefactual waveforms
  • documenting (on the recording) patient movements
  • applying/recording leads for ECG
  • replacing electrodes exhibiting questionable activity or contact
  • troubleshooting for possible electrical interference
• When the EEG recording is finished the Technologist:
  • removes electrode paste/glue from the patient's scalp and hair after runtine in lab EEGs
  • describes clinically significant behavior
  • The Technologist understands (has a working knowledge of):
  • medical terminology and accepted abbreviations
  • signs, symptoms, and EEG correlates for adult neurological disorders
  • signs, symptoms, and EEG correlates for pediatric neurological disorders
  • seizure manifestations, and EEG correlates
• The Technologist maintains and improves knowledge and skills by:
  • reviewing EEG tracings with team leader on a regular basis
  • reading journal articles
  • studying text books related to the field
• The EEG Technologist applies the principles of electronics and mathematics to recording by:
  • knowing how differential amplifiers work
  • understanding impedance
• The Technologist knows how waveform displays are affected by:
  • 60 Hertz filter
  • filter and sensitivity settings
  • paper speed
  • referential and bipolar montages
  • The Technologist knows how waveform displays are affected by:
  • digital filters
  • malfunctioning equipment
• The Technologist recognizes:
  • normal and normal variant awake and asleep patterns for each age range
  • abnormal awake and asleep patterns for each age range
  • EEG patterns for levels of consciousness
  • clinical seizure patterns

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualification:

• Current BLS Healthcare Provider Certification
• 1+ years of clinical experience, working in direct patient care

Preferred Qualifications:

• EEG or EMG certification
• 1+ years of EEG/EMG experience

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to assist patients on and / or off stretchers, tables, and wheelchairs
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time when processing specimens
• Must be able to walk, stand and sit for long hours

Working Environment: