What are the responsibilities and job description for the Traveling Surgical Neurophysiologist position at SpecialtyCare?
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
Travel exclusively to accounts across a region to provide intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) care for patients during surgical procedures where there is risk of neurologic injury. Detect early signs of potential or evolving injury so that steps may be taken during surgery to reduce the risk of postoperative neurologic deficit. Provided services may include testing with evoked potentials, electromyography, electroencephalography, nerve conduction studies and/or other modalities. Travel assignments may vary in length.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Travel to an assigned account for the specified period of time to perform IONM services.
- Support local market sites when not traveling for the region with IONM services as needed.
- Explain test procedures so they are understandable to the patient and any family members who are present.
- Identify oneself appropriately and makes the patient and/or family relaxed and confident in understanding the role of the surgical neurophysiologist.
- Apply stimulation and recording electrodes in an accurate and timely manner.
- Perform initial clinical motor and sensory neurological assessment and incorporates results into expectations or changes in monitoring protocols.
- Consult with anesthesia team regarding management of anesthetic agents for successful recording of neurophysiological signals.
- Review the patient medical record, x-rays, MRI scans and clinical history to determine appropriateness of the monitoring.
- Prepare patient for neurophysiological monitoring by applying electrodes in the holding area and/or in the operating room.
- Calibrate, evaluate and adjust equipment, optimizing stimulation and recording parameters to acquire salient data.
- Set up neurophysiological equipment following any indicated biomedical electrical safety checks, with equipment properly located in operating room and assembled with respect to reduction of recording artifact.
- Establish and prepare medical record documentation in accordance with hospital and SpecialtyCare policy.
- Implement appropriate troubleshooting methods, such as adjusting stimulation and recording parameters to collect accurate information.
- Keep equipment clean and in proper working order, reporting malfunctions to supervisor and/or biomedical engineering department and/or manufacturer.
- Communicate and document potential or real equipment problems to all relevant members of the clinical team.
- Establish and maintain timely communication with other members of the neuromonitoring team who may be providing professional oversight and/or consultation during surgery.
- Interact with surgeons and other members of the surgical team to provide interpretive data regarding the patient’s neurological status during the procedure.
- Identify and eliminate physiological and non-physiological artifacts in recordings.
- Recognize normal patterns, normal variants, and abnormal patterns in neurophysiological recordings.
- Understand the medical and pharmacological/anesthetic conditions that influence neurophysiological recordings.
- Understand the clinical correlations between abnormal evoked potentials and various pathological states.
- Record, troubleshoot, identify and interpret obligate neurophysiological signals, and reports to the surgical team with options for specific interventions when necessary (e.g. stop surgery, wait and raise blood pressure, initiate methylprednisolone protocol, temporary break from surgery, remove instrumentation, etc.)
- Communicate neurophysiological changes to the surgical team, providing a technical description of the monitoring recordings as needed.
- Performs post-operative clinical follow-up, and provides follow-up recording as needed.
- Disconnect the electrodes from the patient following surgery and disassembles equipment.
- Follow SpecialtyCare needle and safety practices.
- Display, label and print waveforms to electronic copy for interpretation and/or archiving.
- Calculate measures such as evoked potential latency and amplitude following established guidelines and protocols.
- Prepare accurate and timely IONM logs, files and work/technical sheets, including a technical description of the IONM modalities, with emphasis on clinical observations in order to assist with preparation of a professional report.
- Ensure that all required documentation is completed according to protocol established by the customer and SpecialtyCare management.
- Read, understand, and implement all policies and procedure guidelines.
- Inform appropriate individuals of inventory level, equipment condition, and general needs.
- Assist physician and other clinical staff members as requested.
- Ensure that supplies are ordered, stocked and available as needed.
- Live the SpecialtyCare Values – Integrity, Teamwork, Care & Improvement.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- Registered EEG, EP, or NCST
- Certification in one or more of the following:
o Certification in Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (CNIM),
o Diplomate of the American Board of Neurophysiologic Monitoring (DABNM)
o Board Certified Specialist – Intraoperative Monitoring (BCS-IOM)
Experience:
- Three (3) years of experience in intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience, acceptable.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Possess good interpersonal skills to communicate with the patient and all medical personnel in the operative setting, to include but not limited to the surgeon, charge nurse, anesthesiologist, residents and fellows.
- Possess good organizational skills and be able to multi-task in a fast-paced operating room environment.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety manuals, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, employees and organizations.
- Ability to speak clearly, write and understand English.
- Ability to understand and carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.
- Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in routine and/or emergency situations.
- Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and statistics.
- Ability to analyze complex information simultaneously such as neurophysiological data in relationship to surgical context, type of anesthesia, and environmental factors and influences.
- Basic typing and computer skills.
Benefits:
We offer competitive compensation and a robust benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans; generous paid time off; 401(k) with matching funds; tuition reimbursement; and professional development and membership allowances.
SpecialtyCare is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
