EMG Technologist

Brown Medicine•Cranston, RI

2d•$18 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of a physician and according to established policies and procedures, performs a variety of electrodiagnostic tests to record electrical impulses from nerves and muscles through the use of needle or surface electrodes. This role assists the physician in diagnostic processes, coordinates the operation of the electrodiagnostics laboratory, schedules tests, receives, prepares, and interviews patients. The technologist calibrates, operates, and maintains testing equipment, performs diagnostic studies, tabulates resultant data, and prepares summary reports for the physician. Additionally, the role maintains inventory of the laboratory and assists in the instruction of medical students, house staff, and fellows in the Electrodiagnostic Laboratory. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence, and demonstrate the core Success Factors: Instill Trust and Value Differences, Patient and Community Focus, and Collaborate.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences or the equivalent.
Ability to monitor graphic recordings, detect minor differences or abnormalities, observe and note clinical phenomena, and use a binocular microscope.
Technical ability to set up testing equipment, identify problems, make adjustments to clear interference, and make minor repairs to ensure integrity of test results.
Knowledge of diseases, muscle, and nerve anatomy and physiology to effectively conduct studies.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills to explain procedures, allay fear and anxiety, elicit cooperation for studies, discuss studies with physicians, and instruct in conducting diagnostic studies.
Analytical skills to determine the cause of interference and provide written summaries of studies.
Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care to patients with consideration of aging processes, human development stages, and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.
Six to twelve months of experience to become familiar with studies, including completion of courses in electromyography.

Responsibilities

Receives and reviews requests for various electrodiagnostic tests, including routine electromyography, nerve conduction studies, blink reflexes, single fiber electromyography, quantitative electromyography, intraoperative electromyography, and evoked potentials.
Plans the laboratory schedule and priorities for tests based on workload, test procedure length, urgency, and physician's schedule.
Prepares the laboratory for procedures, obtaining and setting up necessary supplies such as linens, electrodes, gauzes, needles, and drugs.
Receives patients, explains procedures to alleviate fear and anxiety, elicit cooperation, and ensure relaxation throughout the procedure.
Obtains demographic information to complete records.
Interviews patients to obtain pertinent medical history and formulates a study plan under direct physician supervision.
Abstracts additional data from medical records as necessary.
Sets up and calibrates test equipment according to established procedures.
Prepares patients for specific tests as ordered by the physician.
Prepares skin with abrasive solution for good conductivity and follows aseptic procedures, applying surface electrodes to patients at predetermined positions.
Checks electrode impedance.
Performs diagnostic studies by operating equipment to record electrical impulses.
Makes adjustments to equipment as appropriate for the specific study and to ensure accuracy of test results.
Recognizes and eliminates electrical interference from sources like fluorescent lights and stretchers.
Obtains and continuously scans recordings, observing and noting clinical phenomena occurring during the patient's test.
Reads, tabulates, calculates, and records resultant test data for physician interpretation.
Measures skin temperature for each test site.
Accompanies the physician on portable studies and during intraoperative studies.
Maintains records of all patients and billing.
Assists in teaching medical students and fellows in the area of EMG and nerve conduction studies.
Maintains equipment in clean operating condition according to established procedures to ensure the integrity of results.
Detects and recognizes instrument malfunction, makes minor repairs and adjustments as necessary, and notifies the physician of the need for major repairs.
Prepares and forwards needles for proper sterilization, cleans electrodes using disinfectant solution.
Sharpens and electrolyzes needles as necessary, using binocular microscopes and other laboratory equipment.
May investigate and recommend the purchase of new equipment and supplies.
Maintains the test area in a clean and orderly fashion.
Orders and maintains supplies as appropriate and according to established inventory guidelines.
Participates in related clinical research studies.
Maintains and enhances technical expertise by attending and participating in related educational conferences and meetings.