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What does an EEG Technician do?

Vanessa Harvey
Vanessa Harvey

An electroencephalogram (EEG) technician operates, maintains and sometimes services this medical equipment. He or she administers the EEG test, which involves placing electrodes on the patient's scalp and generating the stimulus needed to capture and measure the activity of the patient's brain or nervous system as a whole. Explanations of what takes place during such a test are given to the patient and his or her family by the EEG technician in charge of the procedure. These technicians are responsible for gathering a patient's medical history, helping him or her to relax during the procedure and delivering the results to medical doctors.

There are various reasons for which an EEG technician is ordered by a physician to measure a patient's brain or nervous system activity. Doctors require the results of the test to help them make a diagnosis. Signs and symptoms that might prompt a doctor to order an EEG include, but are not limited to, any type of seizure, migraine headaches, blurred vision, fainting spells, amnesia and any form of paralysis. If there is any suspicion of the development of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, amnesia, the presence of a brain tumor, epilepsy or injury to the brain or any section of the spinal cord, doctors might have an EEG technician test brain activity.

A high school diploma is typically the minimum educational requirement to become an EEG technician.
A high school diploma is typically the minimum educational requirement to become an EEG technician.

There are various ways that an EEG technician provides stimuli for the test. He or she might use lights of various colors and brightness or lights that blink. Different types of breathing exercises might also be used. Most patients have at least a little apprehension before and during the procedure, which is why it is the responsibility of the EEG technician to thoroughly explain in plain language the various aspects of the test. The technician also answers any and all questions that the patient might have and helps to calm him or her, because it is important for the patient to be as relaxed as possible during the test.

A doctor might order an EEG after any type of seizure, migraine headaches, blurred vision, fainting spells, amnesia and any form of paralysis.
A doctor might order an EEG after any type of seizure, migraine headaches, blurred vision, fainting spells, amnesia and any form of paralysis.

Depending on the training that an EEG technician has, he or she might take charge of the maintenance and repair of the electrocephalogram. If he or she lacks the knowledge needed to repair this medical equipment, knowing when to arrange for repair services is vital so that tests can be performed without delay. An EEG technician almost always has at least a high school diploma, but he or she might not possess a college degree if clinical training was acquired. Some EEG technicians, however, do hold an associate of applied science degree in Electroneurodiagnostic Technology.

Discussion Comments

tdavis

The average salary for an EEG technician is around $42,411 per year.

As an entry-level technician, you can increase your salary by gaining work experience and obtaining additional certifications in this field.

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    • A high school diploma is typically the minimum educational requirement to become an EEG technician.
      By: zimmytws
      A high school diploma is typically the minimum educational requirement to become an EEG technician.
    • A doctor might order an EEG after any type of seizure, migraine headaches, blurred vision, fainting spells, amnesia and any form of paralysis.
      By: Tobilander
      A doctor might order an EEG after any type of seizure, migraine headaches, blurred vision, fainting spells, amnesia and any form of paralysis.
    • An electroencephalogram -- or EEG -- machine measures electrical impulse activity in the brain and can help give a diagnosis for conditions such as epilepsy.
      By: satori
      An electroencephalogram -- or EEG -- machine measures electrical impulse activity in the brain and can help give a diagnosis for conditions such as epilepsy.
    • Blurry vision and amnesia are two symptoms that may prompt a physician to order an electroencephalogram (EEG).
      By: bellemedia
      Blurry vision and amnesia are two symptoms that may prompt a physician to order an electroencephalogram (EEG).
    • A doctor may recommend an EEG for a patient who experiences migraines.
      By: hriana
      A doctor may recommend an EEG for a patient who experiences migraines.
    • A patient who experiences periods of amnesia may need to have her or his brain activity checked by an EEG technician.
      By: chuugo
      A patient who experiences periods of amnesia may need to have her or his brain activity checked by an EEG technician.
    • An EEG technician must ensure that the patient is as relaxed as possible prior to administering the test.
      By: a40757se
      An EEG technician must ensure that the patient is as relaxed as possible prior to administering the test.
    • A doctor may order an EEG for patients suffering from amnesia.
      By: JPC-PROD
      A doctor may order an EEG for patients suffering from amnesia.