At Houston Methodist, the Senior Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IOM) Technologist position is responsible for performing neurodiagnostic procedures in the Intraoperative monitoring field as well as all IOM modalities required as a registered neurodiagnostic technologist. In addition to performing the duties of the IOM Technologist, this position is efficient in independently performing IOM modalities including SSEPs, TceMEP, EMG (including triggered), ABR's, Phase Reversal and cortical mapping. When not scheduled for an IOM case, the Senior IOM Technologist 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 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.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ensures understanding by the patient and staff the purpose of the procedures and answers questions regarding the procedures. Identifies and anticipates potential problems, communicates appropriately and effectively concerns to appropriate management; addresses issues as instructed, responding professionally at all times, and reports resolutions.

• Role models' healthy work relationships such as mitigation of conflict, leading problem-solving and resolution efforts. 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.

• Serves as preceptor, mentor, and resource to less experience staff. Provides technical expertise to peers and/or non-credentialed team members as appropriate.

• Recommends initiatives to improve department scores for employee engagement on department scorecard.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Independently conducts patient assessments. Recognizes and teaches peers drug and physiological status effects on activity monitored.

• In addition to performing all IOM modalities, independently performs EEG monitoring during: Wada, PET, ictal SPECT studies, ABRs, Phase Reversal and cortical mapping with indirect supervision as appropriate. Conducts intermediate to advanced technical troubleshooting and artifact identification and elimination; understands and follows concepts of digital equipment and electrical safety with regards to the equipment.

• Shares understanding with peers of EEG technology and its uses in the epilepsy monitoring unit as well as during epilepsy surgery. Independently monitors epilepsy monitoring patients.

• Independently performs EP studies or other EEG studies as assigned when there are no scheduled IOM cases.

• Role models behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identifies clinically significant events and follows 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.

• Identifies and assesses issues and opportunities for improvement and implements changes following managerial review. Follows up on action items to ensure completion. Contributes towards improving quality and safety scores on department scorecard.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Charges accurately for procedures, and logging the patient data. Submits all reports, billing and other paperwork within a timely manner.

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Ensures inventories of major supplies are never depleted. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, minimizing incidental overtime.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Continues to learn and apply intermediate to advanced EEG and/or EP signal recognition, relevant medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, contraindications for activation procedures, instrumentation and preparation for use. Trains in END procedures.

• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement activities. Completes and updates the individual development plan (IDP) on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

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
  

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years experience in IOM procedures

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) AND
• R-CNIM - Certified Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (ABRET) OR
• R-EPT - Registered Evoked Potentials Technologist (ABRET) OR
• EEG - Canadian Board Registered EEG Technologists (CBRET) OR
• R-EEGT - Registered Electroencephalographic Technician (ABRET)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Knowledgeable in correct IOM, EEG and/or EP performance

• Able to independently perform and/or train for EEG studies including bedside studies and in the epilepsy monitoring unit

• Able to efficiently perform IOM modalities including SSEPs, TceMEP, EMG (including triggered), ABRs, Phase Reversal and cortical mapping

• Understands and follows concepts of digital equipment and electrical safety with regards to the equipment

• Knowledge of alternate montages, protocols, and alternate equipment settings and their effects on the test data

• Must have basic knowledge of personal computers, including but not limited to data entry, document printing, document scanning, a basic understanding of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat

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 (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

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

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.