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Neurodiagnostic Technologists Occupation Detailed Description

Neurodiagnostic Technologists career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Neurodiagnostic Technologists

The main tasks and work activities of Neurodiagnostic Technologists are to protect patients or staff members using safety equipment, position patients for treatment or examination, analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals, check quality of diagnostic images. In general, for the Neurodiagnostic Technologists, critical Thinking, speaking, active Listening, monitoring and other 15 skills are required.
Neurodiagnostic Technologists Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Neurodiagnostic Technologists jobs. 13.17% of Neurodiagnostic Technologists have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 15.36% of Neurodiagnostic Technologists have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
13.17%
Post-Secondary Certificate
15.36%
Some College Courses
10.63%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
24.96%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
35.88%

Tasks and Work Activities of Neurodiagnostic Technologists

  • Attach electrodes to patients, using adhesives.
  • Summarize technical data to assist physicians to diagnose brain, sleep, or nervous system disorders.
  • Conduct tests or studies such as electroencephalography (EEG), polysomnography (PSG), nerve conduction studies (NCS), electromyography (EMG), and intraoperative monitoring (IOM).
  • Calibrate, troubleshoot, or repair equipment and correct malfunctions, as needed.
  • Conduct tests to determine cerebral death, the absence of brain activity, or the probability of recovery from a coma.
  • Measure visual, auditory, or somatosensory evoked potentials (EPs) to determine responses to stimuli.
  • Indicate artifacts or interferences derived from sources outside of the brain, such as poor electrode contact or patient movement, on electroneurodiagnostic recordings.
  • Measure patients' body parts and mark locations where electrodes are to be placed.
  • Monitor patients during tests or surgeries, using electroencephalographs (EEG), evoked potential (EP) instruments, or video recording equipment.
  • Set up, program, or record montages or electrical combinations when testing peripheral nerve, spinal cord, subcortical, or cortical responses.
  • Adjust equipment to optimize viewing of the nervous system.
  • Collect patients' medical information needed to customize tests.
  • Submit reports to physicians summarizing test results.
  • Assist in training technicians, medical students, residents, or other staff members.
  • Explain testing procedures to patients, answering questions or reassuring patients, as needed.
  • Participate in research projects, conferences, or technical meetings.
  • Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
  • Assess abnormalities of color vision, such as amblyopia.
  • Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope.
  • Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Assisting and Caring for OthersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Protect patients or staff members using safety equipment.
  • Position patients for treatment or examination.
  • Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
  • Check quality of diagnostic images.
  • Process x-rays or other medical images.
  • Supervise patient care personnel.
  • Maintain medical facility records.
  • Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
  • Prepare medications or medical solutions.
  • Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
  • Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
  • Test patient nervous system functioning.
  • Repair medical facility equipment.
  • Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
  • Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients.
  • Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
  • Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
  • Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
  • Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
  • Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Neurodiagnostic Technologists

  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Hearing SensitivityThe ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Hot air blowerse.g. Air dryers
  • Liquid crystal display LCD panels or monitorse.g. Computer monitors
  • Electromyograph electrodes or setse.g. Corkscrew needle electrodes
  • Electromyograph electrodes or setse.g. Depth electrodes
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Amplifierse.g. Differential amplifiers
  • Electromyograph electrodes or setse.g. Disposable foam pad electrodes
  • Neuromuscular stimulators or kitse.g. Electrode input panels
  • Electroencephalograph EEG or accessoriese.g. Electroencephalography EEG amplifiers
  • Electroencephalograph EEG or accessoriese.g. Electroencephalography EEG equipment
  • Electromyographse.g. Electromyographs EMG
  • Electromyograph electrodes or setse.g. Epidural electrodes
  • Evoked response detectore.g. Evoked potential measuring systems
  • Eye charts or vision cardse.g. Eye charts
  • Gogglese.g. Goggles
  • Medical syringe with needlee.g. Hypodermic syringes
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Medical tape measurese.g. Medical measuring tapes
  • Electroencephalograph EEG or accessoriese.g. Neurophysiologic interoperative monitoring systems
  • Ophthalmoscopes or otoscopes or scope setse.g. Otoscopes
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Medicine and DentistryKnowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • BiologyKnowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • PsychologyKnowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Personnel and Human ResourcesKnowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.