Clinical Neurophysiologist DBS

Clinical Neurophysiologist DBS

Position Summary: Responsible for operating electrophysiological equipment used in functional mapping for deep brain stimulator implants. Operates electrode recording and stimulation equipment, microdrive controllers, generates invoices and administrative reports, and ensures electrophysiological and microdrive systems are operating properly. Instructs OR staff in assembly of stereotactic and drive systems. Interprets results of microelectrode recordings and stimulation mapping for surgeon, provides guidance for the appropriate placement of permanent DBS lead.

Orders supplies and equipment. Provides coverage for DBS cases at home and outside institutions as necessary.

Nature and Scope: This person is technically proficient in the use of electrophysiological equipment in general, has specific experience with DBS mapping hardware, and is able to troubleshoot problems with hardware and software during case. This person is able to effectively communicate brain mapping information to surgeon in real time, and is expected to provide interpretation of neurophysiological results. Individual is responsible for following Specialty Care and hospital policies for OR credentialing, equipment maintenance, invoicing.

Person is expected to participate in and make significant contribution to research or administrative service.

• Patient Setup
• Explain mapping procedure so it is understood by the patient, including purpose of microelectrode recording and/or stimulation
• Perform motor exam of the patient to establish baseline prior to anesthesia, and stimulation testing
• MER & Stimulation equipment
• Operate and adjust equipment, optimizing recording and stimulation parameters to acquire salient mapping data.
• Implement appropriate troubleshooting methods to assure accurate maps.
• Keep equipment clean and in proper working order, reporting malfunctions to supervisor and/or manufacturer.
• Brain mapping/Monitoring & Interpretation
• Interact with surgical team and surgeons during procedure to provide data necessary for accurate placement of permanent DBS electrode.
• Identify and eliminate physiological and non-physiological artifacts.
• Understand the medical and pharmacological/anesthetic conditions that influence the process of MER and stimulation mapping
• Recognize electrophysiological signature and stimulation induced side effects of DBS target structures, and of surrounding anatomy.
• Recognize modality and somatotopic organization of DBS targets, and be able to advise surgical team on proper method for somatotopic mapping.
• Understand the effects of stimulation on symptoms of different diseases treated with DBS, and results of changing stimulus parameters
• Documentation
• Provide summary sheets of DBS mapping procedure, including borders of target structure, location and depth of permanent lead placement, and when relevant, somatotopic organization, stimulation induced efficacy and side effects.
• Accurately prepare in a timely manner, all invoices and work/technical sheet.
• Additional Duties
• Assist in training DBS technologists
• Design and Collect data for ongoing research projects
• Attend scientific courses and seminars for continuing education, if workload allows.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director
• Orders supplies and equipment.
• Provides coverage for at outside institutions as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A PhD in biological science, neuroscience, audiology, or similar field.

• Two years experience in general electrophysiological methods.
• Twenty cases as a DBS technologist or trainee.
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathologic processes and aseptic techniques.
• Knowledge of procedures followed in DBS mapping procedure including responsibilities of surgeon, neurologist, anesthetist, first assist, scrub tech, and circulator.
• Detailed knowledge of electrophysiological equipment used in performing DBS mapping.
• Ability to interpret microelectrode signals, and interpret results of somatotopic, efficacy and side effect mapping and synthesize mapping results into coherent clinical picture for surgeon with special reference to anatomy.
• Interpersonal and…