Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Electroencephalographic (EEG) Technologist
Job description
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a scientific field devoted to the recording and study of the brain's electrical activity. Neurologists and other physicians use electroencephalo-grams in diagnosing and evaluating head trauma, stroke, infectious disease, brain tumors, epilepsy, and other medical conditions.
An electroencephalographic technologist (EEG Technologist) is the trained healthcare worker who is responsible for recording a patient's EEG activity. After briefing the patient and taking a medical history, the EEG Technologist applies to the patient's scalp small electrodes that are connected to the electroencephalograph. The EEG technologist must know what normal and abnormal brain activities look like on an electroencephalogram.
Activities may include
●
obtain a patient's medical history
●
brief patient on the procedure
●
attach electrodes to certain places on the patient's head
●
adjust the instruments to produce the kind of recording needed
●
make minor adjustments and repairs to the equipment
●
often required to perform tests which determine the nerve response in ear, eyes, arms and legs
●
prepare a written report of the tracings for physician use
●
schedule appointments and keep records
Salaries and benefits*
Entry level wages for EEG technicians range from $1,300 to $1,800 per month. In the Northwest, EEG technicians earn an average of $2,590 to $2,950 per month. The salary range for a Registered EEG Technologist I working for an institution of higher education is $1,812 to $2,282 per month, while an EEG Technologist II earns $1,985 to $2,508 per month. Most workers receive a full benefit package. Some hospitals provide paid in-service training and educational seminars to keep workers up-to-date with changes in the EEG field.
Training and requirements
Most workers train to be an EEG technician by attending a one year on-the-job training course working closely with experienced EEG personnel. In Washington State EEG Techs are trained in some large hospitals or medical centers; the closest formal training is a two year program at British Columbia Institute of Technology, 3700 Wellington Avenue, Burnaby BC V56 3H2.
Necessary skills
●
ability to learn new tasks quickly and accurately
●
ability to see slight differences
●
excellent eye/hand coordination
●
ability to use hands skillfully
●
ability to work under stress with high risk patients
●
ability to take instruction and work as a team member
●
good mathematical aptitude
●
ability to relate well to a variety of patients
●
ability to be a calming influence to patients
●
ability to stand and move about freely for extended periods of time
Licensure/Certification
There are not licensing or certification requirements in Washington State at this time.
Helpful high school courses
Include algebra, biology, chemistry, electricity and electronics, emergency medical technology, general math, health, physical education, and physics.
Outlook*
The job outlook for EEG Techs is good! Employment is projected to increase 14% by the year 2000. Currently, there are about 175 EEG Technicians in Washington.
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Page updated 9/15/04