EEG Technologist Career Overview - Job Description, Skills, Duties, Education, Training, Job Outlook Salary

EEG Technologist Career Overview - Job Description, Skills, Duties, Education, Training, Job Outlook SalaryEEG Technologist Career Overview - Job Description, Skills, Duties, Education, Training, Job Outlook SalaryEEG Technologist Job DescriptionAn EEG technician is a skilled professional trained in the use of a medical diagnostic machine, the electroencephalograph. This facilitates healthcare professionals to note down and study the electrical activity of the brain and nervous system. This non-invasive gadget monitors the nervous system and also gauges the patients brain-wave activity. The machine is used by physicians to diagnose several nerve and brain related conditions, such as, stroke, Alzheimers disease, epilepsy, seizures, brain tumors, sleep disorders, and head injuries.EEG technologists work with specially trained physicians who infer the information obtained and settle on an appropriate treatment plan, based on the data.Data collected is also used for medical research, i n addition to diagnosing nervous system related disorders.Create this ResumeEEG Technologist Skill/DutiesPrior to the testing, the EEG technologist is in charge of a pre-test discussion. During this session, he collects and notes down the patients medical history. Also, part of the EEG technologists duty is to calm the patients before the procedure, since, more often than not, they are frightened / stressed.A series of 16 to 25 flat metal electrodes are attached to the patients scalp. Some facilities may have a cap that can be fixed, but frequently the technician has to attach the electrodes by hand, and hungern them with a glue-paste.The EEG test takes around half an hour, during which, the technologist will use blinking lights to arouse brain activity in the patient. During this phase, the technician must ensure that the patient keeps his eyes close and maintains a regular breathing-pattern. The patients heart rate is also monitored.An EEG technologist also orders supplies, mainta ins the EEG machine and schedules appointments for patients.An EEG technician reports the findings to the doctors.Importantly, an EEG technologist must be tolerant and relaxed, because the set-up and investigation procedure could take hours. He should also be dexterous, skillful and have excellent communication skills.EEG Technologist Education and Training To pursue a career in EEG technology, high school students should take up biology, anatomy, mathematics, and English. Many colleges, hospitals, and vocational schools provide education and training in EEG technology. The program lasts for 2 years. Those interested should look for programs recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists also grant the certificate Registered EEG Technologist and Registered Evoked Response Technologist to competent applicants (after about 3 years of experience in the fi eld).EEG Technologist Job OutlookThe positions for diagnostic technicians are projected to increase by 18 % between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Thus, the job outlook for EEG technologists too looks good.EEG Technologist SalaryThe salary of an EEG technician depends on the geographic location, experience and training. The mean annual salary of an EEG technician is about $41,267. Customize ResumeMore Sample Career ArticlesEEG Technologist Career Endocrinologist Career Food Safety Specialist Career Gastroenterologist Career

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Fox54 News Profiles Telecommuting Jobs, Interviews FlexJobsFox54 News Profiles Telecommuting Jobs, InterviewsFox54 News interviewsWe love the overview this news piece gives on the telecommuting job niche. Its quick and informative, and if you have a couple minutes, you can learnTypes of work you can do from homePerks of working from home, including flexibility and controlWays to avoid work at home scamsTips from two real people who work from homeHow to be a successful telecommuterHow works to screen out scams and deutsche bundespost only legitimate jobsTo see the full three minute video, click here You may be asked to download or update Adobe Flash Player in order to view the video properly, but we swear, its worth it.

Designing a Soft Robot

Designing a Soft Robot Designing a Soft Robot Designing a Soft Robot As the population ages and the incidence of stroke multiplies, engineers have increasingly been applying their skills in robotics to the medical field.But its leid just a matter of directly transferring knowledge from industrial robotics to robots for rehabilitation therapy because requirements can be very different. Dr. Eric Wolbrecht, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Idaho, is developing a finger exoskeleton for rehabilitation and neuro-muscular research. He says a lot of characteristics that are desirable for a traditional robot to weld a car in a factory may be detrimental when used in a robot designed for rehabilitation therapy.Gentle Like a TherapistYou dont want a strong, stiff robot to interact with a rolle for safety reasons and because the person with the device will consciously or subconsciously let the robot take over. If they arent engaged, they arent recovering, he says.Dr. Eric Wolbrecht. Image UIDAHOAn industrial robot typically should be very strong with stiff springs so it doesnt vary from its path. In contrast, a therapeutic robot dealing with a person should be gentle like a therapist who very softly takes a patients arm to help move and modulate the level of assistance to encourage the person. What we are trying to do is make these soft, compliant robots, Wolbrecht says.We use a linear electric actuator without any gearing. With software, we can make it compliant, acting like a soft spring. There is no gearing or friction to fight through. We also want the robots to be back drivable, so if the robot is turned off, you can push it around. If a robot in a factory is turned off, you wont be able to push it around because it has a lot of gearing in it, he explains.The robot and human form a dual control system, one for the robot and one for the human, which is connected in the device. When a human isnt making any movements, the robot controller fills in the gaps.The robot and human form a dual control system, one for the robot and one for the human, which is connected in the device that also monitors patient performance. Images Justin RoweWith Wolbrechts FINGER, or Finger Individuating Grasp Exercise Robot, patients place their hand into the device, which assists in moving their fingers, specifically helping the index and middle fingers make a curling, grasping motion, during computer video therapy games. The device also monitors and records patient performance.Wolbrecht says the goal is to better understand the factors that promote functional recovery. Its not enough to just help move someones hand through a motion, he adds. Were studying all different aspects of how you can optimize this process of therapy. How should the robot interact with the person during therapy? How do you prevent the robot from taking over and the person falling asleep at the wheel, so to speak, and not being engaged in the activity?Developing FINGERA mechanical engineering major at Valparaiso University, Wolbrecht says he was always interested in robotics, but after earning a masters degree in mechanical engineering at Oregon State University, he began designing jet boats for Yamaha Motor Corp. and then moved to working on skid loaders at John Deere. Wanting more engineering and less business and production, he decided to go for a Ph.D at the University of California, Irvine. There, his advisor, Dr. David Reinkensmeyer, had long been interested in how robotics and new technology can enhance rehabilitation.As part of his Ph.D work, Wolbrecht developed an algorithm for assist-as-needed for an adaptive controller that continuously tries to apply less force to the patients arm as it follows a path on the video screen. The patient attempts tasks such as grabbing items off shelves and placing them in a cart in a shopping game in which the robot doubles as a joystick. If the patient isnt following the right trajectory, the robot increases the force to help the patient.You want patients to see the effects of their efforts and push in the right direction but you still want to manipulate the output, says Wolbrecht.Upon graduation, he accepted his current position while continuing to collaborate with Reinkensmeyer (and others), which resulted in FINGER. After three years of building, Wolbrecht is currently completing the first official version.While there are other rehab devices for the arm, wrist and hand, this one is unique in that it can control the motion of the fingers individually. Most others curl the whole hand as a unit, Dr. Wolbrecht says, and it has a high level of control.He hopes to add other functionality such as measuring force and also a thumb motion capability. Ultimately, the goal is to find the best attributes for a robot that most effectively deliver and study therapy. Its an area that requires the collaboration of ex perts from both engineering and medical fields, he says. Its very interesting and a fun place to work as fields converge, says Wolbrecht.Nancy Giges is an independent writer.You dont want a strong, stiff robot to interact with a person for safety reasons and because the person with the device will let the robot take over.Dr. Eric Wolbrecht