IOM Technologist

Houston Methodist; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Methodist is seeking a qualified Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Technologist to ensure optimal patient safety and care. This role includes performing IOM procedures and may involve EEG and EP studies, working under indirect supervision.

Candidates must possess a High School diploma and one year of IOM experience, along with BLS certification and a Certified Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring credential.

Qualifications

• Must have one of the following: High School diploma or equivalent education.
• Completion of an Accredited Electroneurodiagnostic (END) program.
• One year experience in IOM procedures included in clinical rotations.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine intraoperative neuromonitoring (IOM) according to policies.
• Communicate effectively with patients and staff.
• Prepare patient rooms and equipment for procedures.

Skills

Electroneurodiagnostic (END) procedures

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Communication skills

EEG studies

Electrical safety knowledge

Digital equipment handling

Education

High School diploma or equivalent education

Completion of an Accredited Electroneurodiagnostic program

Associate's degree in a science-related field

Job description

Full Time - Days

At Houston Methodist, the Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IOM) Technologist position is responsible for performing routine, intraoperative neuromonitoring (IOM) according to hospital and department policy and procedures. When this position is not performing an IOM case, it may be asked to perform ambulatory and long-term monitoring (LTM) electroencephalograms (EEG), and/or visual, brainstem, and somatosensory‑evoked potential (EP) procedures and/or monitor epilepsy patients according to hospital and departmental policy and procedures. The IOM Technologist position works under indirect technical supervision based on competence. This position delivers exceptional patient care per guidelines established by the department to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service and practices Patient and Family‑Centered Care.

Qualifications

• Education
  • Must have one of the following: High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post‑secondary education, etc.)
  • Completion of an Accredited Electroneurodiagnostic (END) program
  • Associate’s degree or higher in a science related field from an accredited college or university
• Experience
  • One year experience in IOM procedures, may include (END) clinical rotation
• Licenses and Certifications (Required)
  • BLS – Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA) – American Heart Association and
  • R‑CNIM – Certified Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (ABRET) – American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic Technologists, within 3 years
• Licenses and Certifications (Preferred)
  • R‑EEGT – Registered Electroencephalographic Technician (ABRET)
  • R‑EPT – Registered Evoked Potentials Technologist (ABRET)

Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English sufficient for essential job functions, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, physicians, family members, and co‑workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and positive language principles
• Knowledgeable in correct IOM, EEG and/or EP performance
• Able to independently perform EEG studies including bedside studies
• Understands and follows concepts of digital equipment and electrical safety with regard to the equipment
• Knowledge of alternate montages, protocols, and alternate equipment settings and their effects on the test data
• Basic knowledge of personal computers, including data entry, document printing, document scanning, and a basic understanding of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat

Essential Functions

People Essential Functions

• Communicates appropriately and effectively with the patient and staff to convey the purpose of the procedures and answers questions regarding the procedures.
• Promotes a positive, teamwork environment in all interactions with peers and team members. Anticipates needs of other team members; proactively offers assistance and promotes a positive work environment that actively assists interprofessional care team to achieve optimal department results and initiates problem resolution within the work unit.
• Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for turnover/retention/employee engagement, i.e., peer‑to‑peer accountability.

Service Essential Functions

• Prepares patient rooms and equipment for upcoming procedures; performs any other related duties that are consistent with patient and technical care.
• Performs patient assessment as related to care such as electrode fixation, product allergies, movement restrictions, and cognitive function; understands and recognizes drug and physiological status effects on activity monitored.
• Accurately completes all procedures performed, charging for procedures, and logging the patient data. Performs all IOM modalities including SSEPs, TceMEP, and EMG (including triggered).
• Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction on department scorecard through peer‑to‑peer accountability.

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

• Recognizes clinically significant events and follows department policy and procedure regarding critical test results, maintaining the patient’s safety through communication to other patient care support staff during these procedures as appropriate.
• Ensures electrode application adheres with the International 10–20 System. Applies and maintains correct electrode connections; identifies and performs basic and intermediate technical troubleshooting and artifact identification and elimination.
• Supports initiatives to prevent conditions such as patient falls and hospital‑acquired infections. Contributes towards improving quality and safety scores on department scorecard.

Finance Essential Functions

• Submits all reports, billing and other paperwork within a timely manner.
• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self‑motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime.

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

• Seeks guidance and validation of knowledge base, skill level and decision making as necessary, especially in areas of question, from preceptor and assigned licensed personnel, on EEG and/or EP signal recognition, relevant medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, infection control, contraindications for activation procedures, instrumentation and preparation for use.
• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement activities. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an ongoing basis.

Supplemental Requirements

Work Attire

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): No

On‑Call

Note that employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., disaster, severe weather events) regardless of selection below.

• On Call: No

Travel

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: No