EEG Assistant

Advocate Health Care; Oak Lawn (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care is seeking an EMG Technician in Oak Lawn, IL. The technician will perform nerve conduction studies and maintain documentation while ensuring patient comfort. Successful candidates will have a high school diploma and EMG experience.

This role requires BCLS certification, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to lift patients as needed. Join us and be part of a team committed to quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1-2 years EMG technician experience required.
• BCLS Certified in CPR; basic computer knowledge required.
• Good interpersonal skills and communication.

Responsibilities

• Perform motor and sensory nerve conduction studies.
• Document electrodiagnostic procedure results and maintain equipment.
• Prepare the patient and ensure a clean examination room.

Skills

Patient care

Electromyography (EMG)

Communication

Equipment calibration

Education

High School education or equivalent

Formal training as EMG technician

Tools

Medical equipment

Job description

Major Responsibilities

• Performs motor and sensory nerve conduction studies and somatosensory evoked potentials
• Identifying and eliminating/reducing artifact by positioning the patient to ensure adequate accessibility and patient comfort and creating an environment which is optimal for patient relaxation
• Prepares the patient and equipment for the needle examination; disinfects recording electrodes and stimulator probe according to facility policy and procedures
• Verifies correct nerve stimulation by observing appropriate muscle contraction
• Documents waveform latencies in milliseconds, waveform amplitudes in microvolts or millivolts, as applicable for study, conduction velocities in meters/seconds, limb temperature, and any unusual characteristics of the waveforms for physician review
• Performs routine NCS/EMG procedures accordingly to facility policy and procedures
• Successfully completes all pertinent electrodiagnostic competencies

Daily Operations

• Maintains a productive schedule, with an average of 6.5 out of 8 hours per day scheduled for direct clinical care
• Performs other duties such as billing for services rendered on the day delivered, distributing mail, maintaining a clean work environment, ordering supplies, filing, and serving on departmental committees
• Participates in continuous improvement of the quality of services delivered through the department by measuring critical functions and participating in teams to improve work processes
• Promotes patient safety by reporting issues through established channels and participating in safety initiatives
• Follows appropriate safety and infection control measures pertaining to patient care
• Actively participates in departmental meetings, inservices, and continuing education programs
• Complies with organization and departmental patient satisfaction initiatives; serves as a role model for meeting the needs and expectations of patients and families
• Ensures the laboratory and testing site adheres to OSHA standards

Patient / Room Preparation

• Ensures examination room is properly prepared for the patient
• Prepares a data sheet that includes patient demographics (name, date of birth, age, ID number, referring physician, reason for referral); procedure date, procedure number, technologist name, interpreting physician’s name, detailed history pertinent to the referring physician’s reason for request, medications (anticoagulants, etc); results and/or copies of other relevant studies
• Explains the procedure to the patient and/or family, addressing any patient concerns regarding the test
• Prepares the patient by assisting in removal of clothing, braces, etc., or patient transfers to the examination table
• Assists the electromyographer in preparing for the procedure by properly positioning the patient, applying surface electrodes as directed, and labeling and organizing electromyographic printouts
• Consistently maintains rooms assuring an adequate level of supplies are available

Equipment Maintenance

• Calibrates equipment according to departmental policy to ensure proper working order
• Assists in maintenance of equipment in safe working order
• Completes all competency assessments related to equipment use and calibration
• Promptly notifies physicians or supervisor of suspected problems with equipment
• Maintains floor stock medications, if applicable

Documentation

• Records basic patient information in the medical record
• Records accurate results/data from electrodiagnostic procedures
• Completes all written documentation according to departmental policy
• Ensures that standard precautions are followed and that filter, sensitivity, and time base are accurate according to facility policy and procedures

Assists in Maintenance of Floor Stock Medications

• Stocks and restocks floor medications
• Retrieves medications for physicians as requested
• Frequently checks medications for dates to assure they are not expired, discarding any expired medication appropriately in accordance with facility policy and procedures

Education and Experience

• High School education or equivalent with emphasis on physical or biological sciences
• Minimum 1-2 years EMG technician experience required, with formal training under the direction of a physician (usually 6 months)
• BCLS Certified in CPR; basic computer knowledge required; good interpersonal skills and communication

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Lifts 50 to 100 pounds occasionally and/or 25 to 50 pounds frequently and/or 10 to 20 pounds constantly; this requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 08/01/2014
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance; for patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available
• Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case‑by‑case basis

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties