Epilepsy Monitor Watcher

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About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Onsite - Neuroscience Department

Occupational Summary

Perform continuous video and EEG monitoring of patients admitted to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) to identify, document, and appropriately escalate seizure activity and other patient safety events. This role supports patient safety through real-time observation, accurate documentation, and timely communication with nursing and EEG technical staff, while adhering to established EMU protocols and policies.

Work Performed

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Continuously monitor patients via video and EEG systems to identify clinical and electrographic signs of seizure activity.
• Maintain camera visualization of assigned patients at all times, except when the patient is in the bathroom.
• Observe EEG waveforms for changes that may indicate seizure activity and document observations according to EMU standards.
• Activate the R5 system and initiate emergency notification pathways for patient seizure events for adult and pediatric patients, following established escalation timelines.
• Ensure timely nursing response to patient events and utilize backup red phone systems when appropriate.
• Clearly document patient events, start and stop times of recordings, nursing response times, and all actions taken in the EMU logbook and on designated clipboards.
• Start, stop, and manage EEG recordings, including identifying recording interruptions and notifying EEG staff of technical issues or lead maintenance needs.
• Perform and document required recording procedures during study initiation, including event button testing, calibrations, and montage settings as directed by EEG technical staff.
• Monitor system functionality and respond appropriately to R5 system downtime procedures.
• Transition monitoring responsibilities appropriately during shift changes, including reporting patient events, patient location changes, and pending issues to oncoming staff.
• Maintain accurate patient identifiers at monitoring stations, including room number, name, typical event symptoms, and special status (e.g., "No Call").
• Comply with specific procedures for patients designated as "No Call," ensuring appropriate orders are present prior to modifying escalation behaviors.
• Assist with unit operations during low census times, including equipment cleaning, stocking, and shadowing EEG technologists as assigned.

Communication and Professional Responsibilities

• Answer departmental phones promptly using appropriate professional phone etiquette.
• Maintain daily monitoring of Duke email for departmental communications, policy updates, and system notifications.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with EEG technologists, nursing staff, fellows, and physicians regarding patient events and technical concerns.
• Follow all EMU policies regarding the prohibited use of personal electronic devices and listening devices while monitoring patients.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to maintain continuous visual attention to multiple video and EEG monitors for extended periods.
• Working knowledge of EEG monitoring systems and patient safety alarm protocols.
• Ability to recognize clinical seizure activity and EEG waveform changes associated with seizure events (training provided).
• Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately document events in real time.
• Clear verbal communication skills for phone-based and in-person escalation during urgent situations.
• Ability to follow detailed protocols and work independently within established guidelines.
• Basic computer skills, including use of EEG software interfaces and electronic communication systems.

High school education or equivalent.

Two years of administrative support experience of increasing variety and/or complexity. Previous healthcare, monitoring, or patient-care-adjacent experience preferred.On-the-job training provided for EEG systems and EMU protocols.

Other Requirements

• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods and maintain sustained attention.
• Must adhere to patient privacy, safety, and confidentiality requirements.

Level Characteristics

• Works under direct supervision using established EMU procedures.
• Responsibility focused on patient observation, documentation, and escalation, not clinical diagnosis or treatment.
• Regular interaction with nursing staff, EEG technologists, and physicians.