General Summary
Under general supervision of the Clinical Director, the Continuous Monitoring Technologist (CM Tech) independently views real-time EEG data and identifies wake, sleep patterns, anomalies and critical events and communicates critical findings to the Reading Physician, per company protocol. The technologist must be thorough in documenting patient events, including clinical and electrographic findings. Effective and timely communication is a critical element of the job. The CM Tech may assist in basic machine troubleshooting and assist on-site staff with electrode repair. The goal of the CM Tech is to produce a quality recording, minimizing artifact and basic technical concerns, to the best of their capability in a remote setting. Patient safety is at the forefront of the exceptional patient care that the CM Tech provides.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Neurotelemetry Equipment
a. Aid onsite personnel during the EEG hookup, assisting with starting the recording, running calibrations, tap tests, activation procedures, and adjusting recording parameters to capture relevant EEG data and reduce artifact.
b. Implements appropriate troubleshooting methods, such as adjusting sensitivity and filters per facility protocol. When network, equipment, or EEG data is not performing to standard, the CM Tech will communicate with appropriate parties, per facility protocol, to get the recording back up and running in a timely manner.
c. Keeps company provided equipment clean and free from environmental hazards. Attempt to dust equipment, at minimum, monthly. Keep pets, food, beverages and children away from equipment. In the event that the equipment is not working properly, notify the direct supervisor and Neurovative Diagnostics IT Director immediately.
2. Monitoring Parameters
a. The CM Tech ensures that relevant patient information is documented in the patient log and/or study- including patient history, medication, critical values, reason for EEG, Reading Physician name and contact information, as well as, patient unit phone number and room number, in the event a critical safety event occurs. If this
information is not received during handoff, the CM Tech will attempt to obtain this information and notify the shift supervisor.
b. While the study is recording, the CM Tech will communicate with hospital staff and Reading Neurologist to provide patient updates, when applicable.
c. Remote monitoring is an advanced position in Neurodiagnostics; the CM Tech is proficient in EEG pattern recognition and can provide a technical description to the Reading Physician and on-site staff, per protocol. A technical description is not to be treated as an EEG interpretation, only the Reading Physician can provide that. d. Distinguish between physiological and non-physiological artifacts.
e. Recognizes, documents and notifies appropriate personnel of all clinical,
electrographic and electroclinical events- per facility protocol. The CM Tech exercises
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independent judgement in determining when a study meets critical values and notifies the Reading Physician, per facility protocol.
f. Identifies and documents normal patterns/variants as well as abnormal patterns and anomalies within the technologists’ scope of practice.
g. The CM Tech is expected to complete technologist EEG summaries on each patient, utilizing the most up-to-date ACNS standardized terminology.
h. The CM Tech is provided training on clipping, pruning and archiving procedures per facility protocol.
i. The CM Tech understands medical and pharmacological conditions that influence the EEG.
3. Documentation Parameters
a. The CM Tech is expected to document, at minimum, once within a 30-minute time period, per company protocol.
b. Document safe patient handoff between facility partners, as well as during internal handover with other CM Techs.
c. Provides evidence that the EEG was monitored per facility service agreement, i.e., continuous versus intermittent clinical review, through documentation in the patient portal and on the live study.
d. Identify and document wake and sleep patterns, reactivity to stimuli, critical EEG findings and events.
e. Document when facility partners are contacted for electrode repair, patient safety events, equipment issues, and event notification. When a patient meets the critical value parameters set, the CM Tech notifies the Reading Physician and updated critical values are established each time.
f. Notates any skin breakdown and fills out the Skin Breakdown Form, when applicable, per facility protocol.
g. Notates alternative electrode placement, when applicable.
4. Communication
a. Demonstrates the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to interact with medical staff, patients, visitors and other hospital employees.
b. Ensures timely communication and response to e-mail and cell phone. i. While on shift and actively monitoring, cell phone volume will be turned on. ii. While on shift and actively monitoring, answer all phone calls in a timely manner, no more than 5-10 minutes. If you are unable to meet that
requirement due to another commitment, notify the shift supervisor
immediately.
iii. Respond to text message exchanges, Microsoft Teams communication, and e mail correspondence in a timely manner.
iv. If the CM Tech is handling a critical event and is unable to meet above requirements, notify the shift supervisor for assistance, if necessary.
c. Participates in individual and company-wide meetings as requested by the leadership team. If unable to attend, notify direct supervisor.
5. Administrative Duties
a. Performs on-call duties per policy.
b. Performs administrative project work as assigned.
c. Assists the leadership team through training and orientation of new hires. d. Assist the leadership team with continuing education initiatives.
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6. Technical Skills
a. Knowledgeable in neuroanatomy relevant to critical care monitoring.
b. Stays abreast of updates in ACNS Guidelines.
c. Demonstrates competency in operating EEG equipment and troubleshooting. d. Able to identify normal versus abnormal adult, pediatric and neonate patterns. e. Has basic computer knowledge and data entry skills.
f. Identifies common seizure syndromes and their EEG correlate.
g. Is able to sit for extended periods of time, while concentrating on multiple computer screens.
h. Is able to work proficiently when stressful monitoring conditions arise.
7. Working Conditions
a. Variable work schedule that may change from week to week, dependent upon case load, patient availability, technologist availability, on-call requirements, or training needs. These create situations that may require minimal notice to be available for a shift or meeting.