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, 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

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

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

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 initiating 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 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

• One year experience in IOM procedures, may include (END) clinical rotation

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) AND
• R-CNIM - Certified Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (ABRET) within 3 years

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• R-EEGT - Registered Electroencephalographic Technician (ABRET) AND
• R-EPT - Registered Evoked Potentials Technologist (ABRET) AND
• EEG - Canadian Board Registered EEG Technologists (CBRET)

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 EEG studies including bedside studies.

• 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.