Neurological Technicians in Southern California October 2016 Prepared by Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research San Diego & Imperial Counties Region
Job in Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Imperial Counties) To identify job postings related to neurological technicians, key words such as neuro tech and neuro technician were used. This means that most of the jobs in this search are similar or comparable to the occupation of interest. In 2015, there were 86 job postings related to neurological technicians. Other similar occupations that Burning Glass 1 found included Neurodiagnostic Technologists, Health Technologists and Technicians, and Surgical Technologists. Table 1 lists the top occupations and their respective number of job postings. Table 1. Top Occupations in Job (Southern California, 2015) Occupation Job Neurodiagnostic Technologists (29-2099.01) 31 Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other (29-2099.00) 24 Surgical Technologists (29-2055.00) 10 Nursing Assistants (31-1014.00) 5 Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians (29-2012.00) 4 As table 2 demonstrates, the most common job titles in the employer job postings were neurodiagnostic technician (39 postings), neurophysiology technician (10), and surgical technician (10). Table 2. Top Job Titles (Southern California, 2015) Title # of Job Neurodiagnostic Technician 39 Neurophysiology Technician 10 Surgical Technician 10 Patient Care Technician 5 Laboratory Technician 3 Table 3 provides the list the top skills and certifications that appeared in the job postings related to neurological technicians. Top skills were electroencephalography (EEG), patient care, and neurology. Top certifications were Basic Cardiac Life Support, Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring, and Electroencephalography (EEG) Technologist. 1 Burning Glass provides real-time data on job postings. All data related to job postings comes from this source.
Table 3. Top Skills & Certifications for Neurological Technicians (Southern California, 2015) Skill # of Certification # of Electroencephalography (EEG) 43 Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification 16 Patient Care 17 Neurology 15 Certification in Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring 8 Electroencephalography (EEG) Technologist 8 Top employers posting jobs for neurological technicians are listed in Table 4 and include Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, and University of Southern California. Table 4. Top Employers Posting Jobs (Southern California, 2015) Employer Job Cedars-Sinai 14 Kaiser Permanente 8 University of Southern California 8 UC Irvine Health 6 Children s Hospital Los Angeles 5 Approximately 51 percent of records have been excluded because they do not include a degree level. Of those postings that list the requirement, 50 percent are looking for psychiatric workers that have a High School diploma (or equivalent) or some vocational school education. Table 5. Education Requirements (San Diego County, 2015) Education (minimum advertised) Job High school or vocational training 21 Associate Degree 12 Bachelor s degree 9
Appendix A Sample Job Neurodiagnostic Technician Providence is calling an on call, day shift Neurodiagnostic Technician to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, CA. In this position you will: * Performs standard and complex electroencephalographic and evoked potential recordings as directed, according to established standards and procedures. Required qualifications for this position include: * Thorough knowledge of EEG, evoked-potentials, and their computer-assisted analysis * Current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers from American Heart Association (AHA) Preferred qualifications for this position include: * 1-2 years clinical experience * Associate's Degree * Certification in electroencephalography * Current Certificate in Neurodiagnostics by the State of California * Courses/Training in physical science and neuroanatomy; course/training in electroencephalography. Neurodiagnostic Tech I Children s Hospital of Orange County Reporting to Manager, the Neurodiagnostic Technologist I is responsible for monitoring/recording neurodiagnostic patients, checking the integrity of the electrodes and communicating with the physician and nurse of changes in patient status. Qualifications: - High School diploma or GED. - Board eligible. Registered Electrodiagnostic Technologist within 1 year of hire. - Basic Life Support
Neurophysiology Technician - Children s Hospital Los Angeles Full-time 12 hour shifts Flexible Days/Nights The Neurophysiologist Tech I is under minimal supervision of the Ambulatory PCS manager, performs a wide variety of Neurodiagnostic studies to include both inpatient and out- patient EEG testing. The Neurodiagnostic Technologist I is an entry to mid-level position in the Neurodiagnostic unit/neurophysiology lab and department. The Neurodiagnostic Technologist I performs EEGs/Long term video monitoring, Evoked Potentials and procedures according to facility policy and procedures. The Neurodiagnostic Technologist I can perform test set up, electrode application and maintain patient safety during clinically significant events and other related duties. Qualifications: Enrollment in or a graduate from a CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education) accredited Neurodiagnostic Technology (NDT) program or an Associate s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university is desired. A minimum of 800 documented clinical hours completed through an accredited program. Must have minimum 1 year experience in EEG field or Board eligible, has passed part 1 written exam and is eligible for part 2 to complete registry or will become Board eligible by passing part 1 exam within 6 months of hire. Pediatric experience preferred. License, Registration or Certification required: Current AHA BLS certification. Must be able to certify as a Registered Neurophysiology Technician within 2 years of hire and or graduation. Knowledge Skills and Abilities Required: Excellent communication skills are essential for this position. Demonstrated organizational skills. Familiar with basic computer knowledge, with emphasis on Word and Excel. The Tech must consistently demonstrate commitment to a patient and family focused model of care in the ambulatory and in- patient settings. Neurophysiology Technician I Cedars-Sinai The Technologist I works under direct supervision utilizing a variety of sophisticated instruments and demonstrates good judgment and decision making in the performance of clinical neurophysiologic procedures. The responsibilities include, patient hook-ups and daily maintenance of electrodes; equipment maintenance; staff education and cross-training; supply inventory and acquisition; The Technologist I has proven competence in the performance of routine EEG procedures includes hyperventilation, photic stimulation and patient electrode set-up ( hook-ups) in the ICU. The Tech I possesses communication skills to interact effectively with patients, surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists, utilizing appropriate communication with sensitivity and attention to special populations, including all age groups. The Technologist I participates on a rotating call schedule on weekends. Incumbent must demonstrate professional conduct in a manner consistent with the ABRET code of ethics and CSMC standards. Educational Requirements: High school graduate & graduate of an EEG technology program accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education/Accreditation or equivalent training. License/Certification/Registration Requirements: BLS require as well as ABRET certification required within one year of employment. Experience: A minimum of 1 year of documented experience in EEG, EP & IOM. Knowledge of neuroanatomy and physiology. Basic electronics and electrical safety, & pattern recognition required.