Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

In accordance with established policies, standards and procedures, the Staff Diagnostic Neurophysiology Technologist performs digital and analogue Video/Electroencephalograms (EEG) procedures in the laboratory and at the bedside of critically ill patients; performs Evoked potential procedures (EPs), Electromyography & Nerve conduction studies (EMG/NC), Ambulatory Monitoring (AM), non-surgical intensive monitorings (IM), basic intraoperative somatosensory (SEP), Motor (MEP) monitoring, and rhizotomy; prepares preliminary test reports for use in medical diagnosis; participates in student training program.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.Performs analogue and digital EEG recordings.  Caters EEG electrode placement, recording parameters, and stimulation techniques to age of patient being testes from pre-term to young adults.  Interprets EEG results and implements alternative methods or adjusts controls to obtain optimal recording.  This may include appropriate control setting changes on the machine, use of extra electrodes, and use of activation procedures.

2.Writes a comprehensive patient history with accumulated information from the patient and/or parent, and the medical chart documents.  Determines the presenting problem and directs test accordingly.  Explains the procedure to the patient and family members present and answers any questions.

3.During EEG testing asks patient questions to demonstrate responsiveness and documents patients clinical activities during a seizure or other patient emergent situation.  Reviews data collected during event.  Provides hard copy print out and factual report of clinical and electrical events.  Documents video times for archiving and completes appropriate forms.

4.Recognizes artifact (physiological or environmental).  Documents, eliminates or takes proper measures to monitor the artifact.  Applies EOG, EKG, EMG and appropriate transducers to monitor physiologic activities.

5.Performs ambulatory monitoring.  Applies electrodes and programs hard drive to collect with appropriate parameters as determined by the presenting history.  Disconnects patient, transfers collected data to hospital network and reformats hard drive.  Analyses and classifies EEG data.

6.Performs basic EP’s and EMG/NC in the laboratory or at the bedside.

7.Performs SEP and MEP monitoring during basic spinal cord surgery.  Applies surface and subdermal electrodes, delivers motor and somatosensory stimulation and records the results.  Documents anesthetic levels and vital signs.  Labels and measures waveforms.  Communicates a factual report to surgeon.  Trouble shoots system when response degrades.

8.Participates in student training program by teaching didactic lectures.

9.Administers sedation to patient as prescribed by the patient’s physician, under supervision, when necessary.

10.Participates in in-service educational programs by preparing and presenting lectures.  Presents video and EEG results at Rounds.  Presents platform and poster presentations at conferences and technical meetings.

11.Performs video tape archiving by operating dual VCR’s and titling equipment to copy seizure segments onto mastertape.

12.Participates in diagnostic computer maintenance including daily archiving of patient data file into CD Rom, troubleshooting acquisition station problems, and installation of program upgrades.

13.Orders miscellaneous supplies from stores, pharmacy and outside suppliers.

14.Writes scientific manuscripts for publication in medical journals; prepares presentations and contributes at conferences.

15.Proofreads and signs the final report generated on all tests performed.

16.Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

•Graduation from an approved Electrophysiology Course with certification or a hospital-based training program from an approved institution or two years recent experience including one year recent paediatric experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable to the Hospital.
•Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
•Registration with the Canadian or American Board of Registration for Electroencephalograph Technologists (R.E.T. or R.EEG T.).

Skills and Abilities

•Physical ability to perform the duties of the job.
•Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
•Ability to operate related equipment.
•Ability to work independently and to organize and prioritize workload.
•Ability to teach.