Under general supervision, performs routine and complex neurological tests to include EEG's (Electroencephalograms), visual, auditory, and somatosensory evoked potentials, and epilepsy monitoring in order to obtain data for use in diagnosis of neurological disorders.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

1. Performs electroencephalograph tests (EEG) on patients in order to record patient brain waves and nervous system responses.

A. Attaches electrodes to precise locations on the patient's scalp and body in order to precisely record brain activity.

B. Explains procedure to patients to help eliminate fears/concerns and interviews patient to obtain required medical information to ensure safety during procedure.

C. 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.

D. Observes patient responses to external stimuli Analyzes waveforms during testing by noting patient movements/seizures and responses to external stimuli. Marks recordings to indicate possible neurological disorders for review by a physician.

E. Notifies physician if patient has difficulties during the procedure. May ask the physician for sedatives to help a patient sleep during monitoring.

2. Performs evoked potential testing which is the response by the brain to an external stimulus in order to verify or evaluate nerve connections for the diagnosis of neurological disorders.

A. Initiates electrical stimuli (somatosensory evoked potentials) using evoked potential equipment to specific nerve endings on the patient's body so that exact nerve endings in the motor strip of the brain can be tested for their integrity.

B. 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.

C. Make adjustments to evoked potential monitoring equipment to properly record brain activity.

D. Operates stimulating equipment safely to include click stimulator, pattern reversal stimulator, and somatosensory stimulator (electrical stimulation) for study of neurological abnormalities or deficits.

3. Sets up 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 or grid implantation.

A. Reviews long-term video monitoring tapes and generates computer printouts of patient seizures or abnormal brain functioning for review by a Neurologist. Marks computer printout noting time of day and patient status (awake, standing, sitting, sleeping).

B. Operates EEG equipment during WADA Testing to assist the Neurologist in determining the patient's dominant hemisphere of the brain.

4. Performs in conjunction with a Neurologist, functional brain mapping which is done following the implanting of an electrode grid on a patient's brain. Operates EEG equipment to assist the Neurologist during use of the biphasic stimulator by noting patient response so that each specific electrode can be identified with a specific motor function. Prepares legend or key, which denotes which function each electrode is associated with.

5. Performs intra-operative electrocorticography in conjunction with a neurologist. Monitors patient brain waves during surgical resection of the brain using EEG equipment. Communicates changes in brain activity to the physician as needed to aid in determining the precise areas of the brain that are causing the seizures, which can be removed.

6. Cleans, adjusts, and performs routine maintenance and repair on electroencephalograph, evoked potential and video monitoring equipment to ensure proper functioning.

7. Provides technical guidance to lower level neurodiagnostic technicians by explaining complicated procedures or demonstrating the proper maintenance of equipment.

8. Assists physician and technologists in resolving problems; ensures that network security is maintained and that backup functions are operated on routine schedule.

9. Performs standard and advanced nerve conduction studies (NCS's) and evoked potential studies (EP's)in a highly skilled, patient appropriate manner, recognizes normal and abnormal results and takes reasonable steps to eliminate physiological and nonphysiological artifact.

10. Assists EMG physicians to perform Electromyography needle tests.

11. Supports for weekly epilepsy conference, assisting attending fellows and resident physicians.

12. Provides technical guidance to EEG, EMU and Neuromuscular lab in the use of vender software products and loads workstation software in accordance with established UMMC standards.

13. Performs interoperate monitoring for surgery resection of the brain using EEG equipment.

14. Performs Brain Mapping and WADA testing for advanced study in epilepsy center.