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What does a Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist do?

Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

An electroneurodiagnostic technologist is a specially educated health care professional who conducts complex tests involving the monitoring, recording, analysis, and study of the nervous system. The field of study includes the brain, peripheral nervous system, and the spinal cord. Originally, those who were employed in the field were called electroencephalic technologists; however, the terminology changed when the field expanded beyond issues of the brain.

Using equipment such as an electroencephalograph (EEG) machine, an electroneurodiagnostic technologist can record electrical impulses that the nervous system and the brain transmit. They can also aid medical doctors in the diagnosis of brain tumors, epilepsy, strokes, and various sleep disorders. Measuring the effects that certain infectious diseases have on the brain and analyzing whether a patient has a medical condition, like Alzheimer’s disease, are among the duties of an electroneurodiagnostic technologist, as well. In addition, cerebral death or the lack of activity in the brain can also be assessed to determine the likelihood of recovery from a brain injury or a coma.

EEG technicians conduct tests to monitor, record, analyze and study the nervous system.
EEG technicians conduct tests to monitor, record, analyze and study the nervous system.

An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may be solely responsible for recording a patient’s EEG activity. First, she may brief the patient and take his medical history. Then, she will apply electrodes connected to the electroencephalograph to the scalp of the patient. She is required to understand how the equipment works and how the results should read for each particular patient based on his condition. She must also know how to report the results to the patient’s medical doctor.

An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may use tools to determine the likelihood of recovering from a brain injury or coma.
An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may use tools to determine the likelihood of recovering from a brain injury or coma.

Performing other tests are also important duties for an electroneurodiagnostic technologist. For example, she may be required to monitor and analyze visual, auditory, and somatosensory pathways in the body. In addition, it would not be unusual for her to perform nerve conduction studies, stimulating the peripheral nerves to record how they respond. Polysomnography is a common test that monitors a patient’s sleep patterns and records any changes in body or brain function that may arise. An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may also conduct intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring where a patient’s brain and nerve activity are watched during surgery.

An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may aid doctors in the diagnosis of various sleep disorders.
An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may aid doctors in the diagnosis of various sleep disorders.

Sometimes an electroneurodiagnostic technologist may need to respond during a testing session, specifically if a medical emergency occurs. She must act quickly and effectively at such times. Regardless of whether there is an emergency situation, she will also debrief the patient after the testing and write a report for the patient’s medical doctor and the patient’s file. It is a rewarding job for those who are interested in the workings of the brain, spine and nervous system.

Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.

Learn more...
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.

Learn more...

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    • EEG technicians conduct tests to monitor, record, analyze and study the nervous system.
      By: Tobilander
      EEG technicians conduct tests to monitor, record, analyze and study the nervous system.
    • An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may use tools to determine the likelihood of recovering from a brain injury or coma.
      By: Monkey Business
      An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may use tools to determine the likelihood of recovering from a brain injury or coma.
    • An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may aid doctors in the diagnosis of various sleep disorders.
      By: SerrNovik
      An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may aid doctors in the diagnosis of various sleep disorders.
    • An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may record electrical impulses transmitted by the brain and nervous system.
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      An electroneurodiagnostic technologist may record electrical impulses transmitted by the brain and nervous system.
    • A doctor may order an EEG for patients suffering from headaches.
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      A doctor may order an EEG for patients suffering from headaches.