|
Send this page to a friend
Electroencephalographic (EEG) Technologist
Electroencephalographic (EEG) technologists record and study the electrical activity of the brain. As the brain controls breathing, heart rate, body temperature, and other essential bodily functions, it continually produces electrical impulses that can be amplified and measured by an EEG machine called an electroencephalograph. The machine produces written tracings of the brain's electrical pulses called electroencephalograms.
EEG technology is used by neurologists to diagnose brain disorders such as cerebral vascular accidents, stroke, brain tumors and epilepsy. The EEG also indicates the effects of head trauma, infectious diseases of the nervous system, and personality and learning disorders. The EEG can also be used to evaluate brain death. Before EEG technologists produce electroencephalograms, they take a short medical history and help the patient relax. Then they apply electrodes to designated spots on the patient's head and body and make sure that the instruments are working correctly. After administering various EEG tests, technologists determine patients' reactions to various auditory and visual stimuli.
Increasingly, technologists are called upon to set up and monitor EEGs in the operating room. Surgical monitoring requires that technologists be well-versed in anesthesia and its effect on brain waves, so they can alert the surgical team when readings from the EEG instrument suggest an abnormal reading.
Sleep studies and brain wave mapping are examples of other diagnostic procedures administered by EEG personnel. Sleep studies require technologists to be competent in monitoring respiration and heart activity in addition to brainwave activity.
Technologists must know the various stages of sleep, the average length of each stage, and the characteristic functioning of the neurologic and cardiopulmonary systems during each stage.
Brain wave mapping requires the technologist to decide which sections of the EEG should be transformed into color-coded pictures of brain wave frequency and intensity for examination by a physician.
Technologists must know how to recognize changes in the patient's neurologic, cardiac and respiratory status. To react properly in an emergency, they must understand the kinds of medical emergencies that can occur while they are taking the EEG.
EEG technologists usually work in the neurology department of a hospital. Others may work in private offices of a neurologist or neurosurgeon.
| Some of the other responsibilities might include: |
| • | Supervising and training EEG technicians |
| • | Ordering supplies |
| • | Scheduling appointments and maintaining patient records |
| • | Writing descriptive reports of the recordings |
| • | Correcting instrument faults |
Job Outlook
The demand for EEG technologists is expected to grow faster than average due to the increased use of EEG in surgery, and diagnosing and monitoring patients with brain diseases.
Advancement to administrative, supervisory, or training responsibilities in an EEG department may be available to EEG technologists with several years of experience and a strong knowledge of the EEG technology field.
Educational Requirements
EEG technologists must complete a 12-month program. These diploma programs also award a student with college credits. Graduates are eligible to take the national registration examination and the national certification examination.
Study courses include anatomy, physiology, neuroanatomy (emphasis on the brain), as well as electronics, instrumentation, and personal and patient safety.
Educational Programs - Midwest
|
