Technician, Eeg

Overview
Measures activity of the brain with an EEG machine.
Responsibilities

• Receives requisitions from doctors and has patient brought from his floor by a transporter. Patients of outside private doctors call for an appointment and walk in.
• Measures activity of brain with an EEG machine by plugging one end of each of 22 electrodes into and electrode board which is attached to EEG machine. The other endsof the electrodes have fine needles that are inserted into specified areas of the patient's head and ears.
• Instructs patient not to move, to keep his eyes closed and to be relaxed. Explains the test to the patient.
• Calibrates the machine before and after test. Calibrates the machine for six (6) different "runs"; each run records a different part of the brain.
• Records brain waves on paper chart with eight (8) different charts being made simultaneously. Also sets frequency, i.e., cycles per second. The machine measures the difference between the recordings of 2 electrodes at a time showing the difference on the chart. Each of the 8 graphs is called a "channel" and represents the difference between each set of two (20) electrodes.
• May stimulate the brain of the patient by flashing a light at a certain number of flashes per second to see patient's brain reaction as recorded on chart.
• May also place electrodes over patient's heart and record the heartbeat on a chart to see if heart has interfered with recording of brain waves.
• Adjusts machine to change frequency in order to eliminate outside interference from showing up on chart, or to also bring abnormalities from showing up on chart.
• Manipulates the controls to increase "sensitivity" of machine to bring out the waves more clearly on the chart.
• Adjusts "sensitivity equalizer" controls of machine to eliminate abnormal deflection in the base line of the chart.
• May adjust master gain switch to reduce impulse recordings on chart when graph lines are so high that they go off the paper.
• After the test, removes chart paper from machine. Writes on chart paper patient's name and date of test, any unusual behavior from patient, e.g. sleeping, awake and cool, patient tense and agitated, etc.
• May use portable machine to go to ICU or other areas to administer tests there.
• Handles related clerical steps including typing of all test results generated by neurologists; sends reports to floors and private doctors; takes EEG records to the Micrographic Department to be filmed. Sends electrodes to Central Service to be autoclaved.
• Gives children sedation to calm them down (taken orally). May wipe a patient's head with alcohol and gauze if patient is perspiring. After the test, removes electrodes from patient's head and wipes his head with alcohol.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Qualifications
Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Graduate of a 1 year course in EEG Technology.

Experience:

• Minimum two (2) years of EEG experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Position requires prolonged periods of standing, reaching, walking throughout the working day.
• Position will be required to stoops, bends, lifts, carry items weighing up to 75 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of The Brookdale Hospital Medical Center.
BHMC is an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or handicap or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.