Traineeship for Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Technologist (IONM Tech)

Job Description

Job Description: Traineeship as an essential member of the surgical team, the technologist will work closely with the surgeon, anaesthesiologist, anaesthetist and other members of the operating theatre team and is responsible for intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) of the functional integrity of certain neural structures (e.g., nerves, spinal cord and parts of the brain) during surgery to reduce the risk of neural injury and/or to provide functional guidance to the surgeon and anaesthesiologist.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables:

1. Carrying out IONM of the functional integrity of certain neural structures (e.g., nerves, spinal cord and parts of the brain) during surgery through neurophysiological/ electrophysiological modalities (e.g., transcranial motor or somatosensory evoked potentials, brainstem auditory evoked response, peripheral nerve or pedicle-screw stimulation, cortical mapping, free-fun and triggered EMG, cranial nerve monitoring and EEG, as applicable) to provide early warning to the surgeon and anaesthesiologist concerning potential neural injury and/or to provide functional guidance to the surgeon and anaesthesiologist.

2. Applying extensive knowledge and understanding of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neuropharmacology relative to IONM, including expert knowledge and application of (a) best practice standards and current practices in neuromonitoring and (b) electrical safety relevant to equipment.

3. Preoperative responsibility for reviewing planned operative procedures and orders for IONM to determine (a) structures at risk and (b) the required IONM, including discussing the IONM strategy with the surgeon and anaesthesiologist before surgery.

4. Discussing procedures with patients in a professional manner to reduce anxiety and fear before surgery.

5. Ensuring adequacy of supplies and equipment needed for IONM, including transporting and setting up IONM equipment.

6. Intraoperative responsibility for selecting the appropriate montages and modalities for IONM based on the facts of a particular case and for making necessary adjustments for non-standard situations.

7. Accurately applying suitable electrodes or predetermined measured positions on the patient's head to optimise stimulus and recording parameters.

8. Recognising artefacts, differentiating them from evoked potential patterns, and taking appropriate steps to eliminate recording or electrical interference.

9. Obtaining standard recordings and reporting significant changes to the surgeon and anaesthesiologist.

10. Postoperative responsibility for preparing and delivering findings, results and a descriptive analysis to the surgical team, including discussing results with physicians and providing special plotting samples when needed, maintaining patient files (electronic and hard copies) and ensuring the integrity of data during transfer between recording equipment and the data bank.

11. Compiling technical reports on all tests performed and assisting in any research-related activities.

12. Performing all necessary troubleshooting and maintenance of equipment used in the operating theatres, including: (a) understanding and monitoring equipment functionality (b) conducting safety checks (c) calibrating, cleaning and carrying out minor repairs (d) reporting any errors in the departmental log (e) notifying the vendor when major repairs are needed and (f) periodically checking equipment functionality with biomedical officers and notifying annual biomedical check before the annual maintenance due date.

13. Attending trainings and seminars as the Company may require, keeping abreast of advancements in the neurodiagnostic field and improving knowledge, skills and techniques in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neuropharmacology.

14. Maintaining the confidentiality of all patient data.

15. Strictly adhering to Company safety, sterility, infection control and emergency protocols, including maintaining the sterile surgical field and the integrity and sterility of disposables at all times.

16. Liaising as necessary with all key operating theatre staff.

17. Being available and contactable during evenings and weekends for purposes of being placed on call.