The Principal Biomagnetic Imaging Technologist, under the direction of the Manager, will participate as an integral member by performing spontaneous and evoked EEGs and MEGs, patient observation, and other specialized procedures for both inpatients and outpatients.
The Principal Biomagnetic Imaging Technologist will ensure electrode and equipment integrity. They actively participate in departmental and organizational programs, including performance improvement activities, in-services, and staff development activities. The Principal Biomagnetic Imaging Technologist provides guidance and serves as a lead to junior staff to assist with their professional growth and development.
Incumbents provide technical information to the medical staff which can directly impact the patient’s well being, such as evaluating the diagnostic urgency of requested procedures and prioritizing clinical procedures.
The Principal Biomagnetic Imaging Technologist will perform duties related to the support and coordination of clinical and research studies performed at the UCSF Biomagnetic Imaging Lab (BIL).
Incumbent will perform assessments in the study of various conditions affecting the human brain, such as brain tumors, epilepsy, dementias, psychiatric, voice disorders, hearing impairments (patients and/or research participants).
The incumbent will independently perform the range of complex, specialized procedures in magnetoencephalography exams outlined in the series concept, including spontaneous (resting-state) and event-related (evoked) task assessments.
They will be assigned continuing responsibility for the instruction and evaluation of junior lab personnel.
Incumbent may also perform other studies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and psychophysical testing under supervision and direction of a trained licensed senior lab personnel.
Incumbent will typically take medical histories as they relate to neurological diagnosis; prepare and position participants (primarily patients) for the conduct of spontaneous and evoked magnetoencephalography (MEG), electroencephalographic (EEG), and/or electromyographic examinations; apply suitable electrodes, sensors, and fiducial coils to predetermined, measured positions on participants and check their performance; set up equipment—such as earphones, somatosensory stimulators, movement monitoring devices—for evoked field studies and instruct patients on how to correctly perform various tasks while scanning; calibrate and adjust the apparatus; replace faulty components as necessary; select predetermined sensor combinations and determine sensor combinations to define focal abnormalities during examinations; interpret the graphic output during the test recording and modify the test appropriately; observe patients during tests and indicate all artifacts interfering with a true recording (e.g., removable metallic devices, muscle movement, eye blinking, swallowing and poorly applied electrodes); document study procedures and measurements, and designate all abnormal clinical manifestations observed during the test.
This will include taking detailed notes of any events during scans such as seizures, excessive movement, difficulty with task performance, technical problems, etc.; incumbent will add any notable events and a study summary to a preliminary technical report during or immediately following the scan.
Incumbent will assist junior staff in training on best practices for applying EEG electrodes for a variety of patient populations including pediatric patients and those with developmental delays and behavioral challenges.
Incumbent will oversee patient safety during exams, including seizure safety, and may be asked to liase with medical staff regarding a patient’s seizure triggers, frequency, and semiology. For patients with non-removable medical devices such as VNS that could cause artifacts in the scanner, incumbent will coordinate with medical staff to temporarily stop devices during the exam when appropriate.
Incumbent will: monitor all sensors; monitor behavioral state and performance of patients; maintain patient records; perform exam procedures (such as running software programs on collected data, extracting numbers and figures from these programs) for technical reporting based on the sensor recordings; and perform other related clerical work. For patients with epilepsy and related conditions, incumbent will independently review spontaneous EEG/MEG exam recordings for epileptogenic events, determine appropriate EEG/MEG viewing montages and filtering settings, run source localization analysis programs to determine cortical locations of abnormal events, recognize benign events, prepare summary reports of initial normal and abnormal findings, and present results in case review meetings.
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
To see the salary range for this position (we recommend that you make a note of the job code and use that to look up): TCS Non-Academic Titles Search (https://tcs.ucop.edu/non-academic-titles)
Please note: An offer will take into consideration the experience of the final candidate AND the current salary level of individuals working at UCSF in a similar role.
For roles covered by a bargaining unit agreement, there will be specific rules about where a new hire would be placed on the range.
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Experience with Linux/UNIX, Matlab, and neuroimaging platforms.
- Prior relevant clinical or basic research experience and experience working with patients or research participants in a hospital or clinical setting.
- Understanding of patient populations to create rapport and a relationship, while also giving insight to what is realistic and appropriate for patient participation.
- Experience working with young children in a clinical or clinical research setting.
- Experience with electronic medical records.
- Knowledge of UCSF and departmental policies for dealing with reimbursement, guidelines for research, confidentiality and HIPAA regulations, following the UCSF mission statement and purpose for research, and a clear understanding of policies and procedures on patient safety and confidentiality (electronic and hard copy medical records, patient charts, communication, etc.); knowledge of medical terminology, research policies and guidelines, database entry, and querying.
- Experience applying the following regulations and guidelines:
- Good Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Health Information and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- The Protection of Human Research Subjects
- CHR regulations for recruitment and consent of research subjects
- Effective Cash Handling Procedures
- Environmental Health and Safety Training
- Fire Safety Training
- Registered EEG Technologist (R.EEG T.) and/or Registered Evoked PotentialTechnologist R.EPT.)
- High school graduate or GED.
- Graduate/Completion of an approved two-year course* in electroencephalography; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. *An "approved two-year course" is one sanctioned by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association*
- Demonstrated skills to successfully perform the assigned duties and responsibilities; and/or equivalent experience/training.
- Attention to detail; strong interpersonal skills; excellent, effective verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with subjects, team members, other departments and outside institutions; and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment while working with a diverse subject population.
- Ability to work well under supervision, complete projects in a timely manner, and prioritize multiple projects to ensure the completion of essential tasks by deadlines.
- At least four years of experience as an EEG Technologist.
- At least three years’ experience in an acute care hospital setting.
- Knowledge and understanding of basic medical terminology.
- Experience with computerized medical equipment.
- Previous mentoring/teaching experience.
- Possession of a high school diploma.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
- Proficient in computer skills including Word, Excel, and on line communication.
- Possession of good interpersonal, time management, problem solving and self-initiation skills.
- Graduate from an accredited training program in Electroneurodiagnostics or a combination of training and experience.
- Ability to work variable shifts and days.
- Demonstrates ability to be an independent, motivated self-starter
- Basic Life Support
- CPR